Page 153 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part V—Chap. XXIX. 131

CHAPTER XXIX.

EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THE BENI-BIJ-ALI TRIBE, 1820, ANB
BRITISH POLICY IN THE GULF.
201. Tho question os to the limitation to bo obsorvod in using British forces
for the purpose of putting down wars
Volume U of 1620-1821.
among tribes on the Persian Gulf came in
for discussion in connection with the unfortunate expedition against tho Benu-
Ilasan and Beni-bu-Ali, two affiliated tribes sottled not far from the coast of
Jaalan in Oman. It appears that Mnhomed-bin-Ali, their Chief, had abjured
tho creed of Ibadhicgah and adopted Wahabi tenets and refused to recognize the
authority of the Sultan of Maskat. Moreover some of these tribos at Al-
Ashkharah, a village on tho coast, wore reported to have plundered English
ships which were wrecked in their neighbourhood. To punish these outrages,
Captain Thompson, the Political Agent at Kislim, was directed in the event of
tho conduct of those pirates appearing piratical to act against them under an
injunction, however, that great pains bo first taken to ascertain that what wo
took for piracy was not lawful one; and to address a letter to the Sheikh
previously to any hostile attack being made, explaining our intentions and
calling on them to desist from those pursuits.
262. A letter was accordingly written by Captain Thompson to the Sheikh
of the 13eni-bu-Ali, and given in charge to Lieutenant Oollinson of the Mercury
cruizer, with direction to call at Maskat for the purpose of obtaining a pilot. A
person of some consequence, undor the Imam’s Government, and Sheikh of the
town of Ras-al-Had was obtained, and having proceeded to Al-A6hkharah, ho
landed and after some consideration with a native, was returning to the boat,
when he was attacked by a number of armed men, who rushed from behind a
sand hill and murdered.
263. Though Captain Thompson viewed this aot as not referable to the
Chiefs of the Beni-bu-Ali from their distance from the place where it occurred,
he yet considered it as a proof that their tribe was out of the limits of peaceable
relations, prepared a force to attack the tribe, returned to Maskat, and after
having concerted measures with the Imam proceeded from thence to Sur, a port
near Itas-al-Had; the Imam having marched to the same place with a body of
his troops, Captain Thompson having determined to co-operate with the views
of His Highness, in case this should be found practicable without risking the
detachment.
264). It would appear that the Imam had in two former instances detached
a force against the Beni-bu-Ali tribe, on both of which occasions they came to
terms, whioh were broken as soon as the force was withdrawn ; and that His
Highness's object was limited to the demolition of their walls, and to the build­
ing of a fort upon their wells, and another at Al-Ashkarali, leaving to the
inhabitants the option of remaining or of removing. The Arabs destroyed Al-
Ashkarah and most of their boats on our troops landing at Sur and retired.
265. On the 8th November the combined forces arrived within 3 miles of
Balad-Beni-bu-Ali, the residenoe of the hostile tribe, and a demand was forth­
with made for the surrender of their fortifications and arms together with the
persons who had murdered the messenger at Al-Ashkarab. The tribe agreed to
comply with tho terms proposed except as to the one stipulating for sur­
render of their arms. This modification was not acceded to; and the next
morning the combined forces attacked the enemy's position, but were utterly
routed. Nearly the whole of the British detachment was out up. The Sultan
and the English were obliged to return to Maskat. In reporting the details of
this disaster (letter 18th November 1820), the Political Agent, Kislim,
stated that the Sultan was anxious to return to the attack, and that he (Poli­
tical Agent) had assured him of every assistance of troops. In a second letter,