Page 142 - Arabian Studies (V)

132 Arabian Studies V
reforms in an attempt to enable the state to assume responsibility
for its own affairs. The Sultanate’s own military force, the Muscat
Levy Corps (later known as the Muscat Infantry), was created, the
customs department reorganised and a Council of Ministers
formed. The effect was complicated by lack of interest on the part
of Sultan Taymur b. Faysal (r. 1913-31), whose major political
ambition was abdication.1
At the heart of the Sultanate’s problems was its insolvency. The
Sultan and many of his relatives were deeply in debt to the various
Indian merchants of the capital and Muscat’s financial problems
were compounded by the state’s inability to repay various loans
extended by Delhi. Budget deficits were kept within tolerable limits
only through major subsidies from the Government of India.
Although potential revenue of the state was slender, little attempt
had been made to increase the government’s meagre income. By
1924, the Goverriment of India recognised that Muscat’s steadily
deteriorating financial situation would be arrested only by the
secondment of a Financial Advisor to the state. In the course of the
next six years, this position was held by three individuals: B. S.
Thomas, S. E. Hedgcock and F. G. E. W. Alban. The action of
Sa‘Id b. Taymur in abolishing the office of Financial Advisor when
he came to power underscores the limited effect of this attempt at
reform and also provides an early indication of Said’s philosophy
of governing.
The activities and personalities of these advisors is worth examin­
ing in some detail since they wielded more power in the day-to-day
politics of the Sultanate than any expatriates before or since, and
because of their impact on Said b. Taymur. The choices open to
the Government of India in selecting appointees were limited, since
there was little inherent attraction in the position. The pay was low
and living conditions in Muscat were rudimentary, uncomfortable
and insanitary. Furthermore, the expatriate resident in Muscat was
almost totally isolated from his countrymen. Consequently, those
who took up service with the Muscat state must have harboured
secondary reasons. For example, the rationale behind Thomas’s
acceptance was clear. The post offered the lure of first-hand
observation and research for the explorer.2
Bertram Thomas'had been particularly interested in the position
when approached in early 1924 and had even made the trip from
Transjordan to Muscat for an interview at his own expense.3 The
position itself lacked prestige and certainly did not pay well, but
Thomas saw it as a golden opportunity to conduct research in the
area and pursue exploration of a largely unknown corner of
Arabia. From the Government of India’s point of view, however,