Page 113 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

Fay sal and Masqat
The conclusion of the last Masqatl-Su‘udl settlement in 1833 helped to
normalize relations, lessened general hostility, and obliged the government of
Masqat to commence payment of the annual zakah to al-Riyad.940 However, in
the years following the settlement, new and rapidly changing developments in
Arabia led to the establishment of Egyptian control over Najd and to an
interruption of relations with Masqat.
While the Egyptian presence in Najd brought about an unfortunate end to
the first part of Faysal’s reign, it raised the hopes of Sa‘Id b. Sultan, the ruler of
Masqat, who had never truly welcomed Su‘udl influence in ‘Uman. His
toleration of Su‘udl interference had been a matter of necessity, a combination
of coercion and fear; presently, Sa‘id felt both relieved from Su‘udi political
pressure and from financial obligation to them. Even before the Egyptian move
into Arabia, Sa‘Id’s relations with Muhammad ‘All had been cordial and
friendly. Sa‘Id had admired and looked forward to cooperating with the
Egyptian ruler, who had adopted modern methods and introduced new and
practical means to revitalize both army and administration.941
However, at the same time, the fact that the Egyptians were advancing
beyond Najd and apparently aspiring to extend their authority into ‘Uman
made Sa‘Id uncomfortable. The British were also becoming more
apprehensive about the ambitions of Muhammad ‘All, and therefore asked
that Sa‘Id b. Sultan act in accordance with their own policy in opposing the
Egyptian expansion.942 Sard’s opposition to external influence, whether direct
or via the Egyptian representative in Najd, was clearly expressed in a letter he
sent to Muhammad ‘All.943 The attitude expressed in this letter might have
been one of the factors which prevented Khalid b. Su‘ud and ‘Abd Allah b.
Thunayyan from establishing relations with the government of Masqat.
Nonetheless, Sa‘id continued to maintain good terms with Egypt and its
representatives in al-Hijaz. In fact, his frequent visits, along with the
transference of his court to Zanzibar, brought him closer to Egypt and
improved his contact with its rulers.
The resumption of Masqatl-Su‘udi relations did not take place until after
Faysal b. TurkI had begun his second reign. By that time, Masqat had
undergone some administrative changes. Sa‘Id b. Sultan had made Zanzibar
his official residence in 1840, leaving his son Thuwaynl to act as regent at
Masqat and conduct the administration there. Sa‘Id’s virtual neglect of‘UmanI
affairs after moving to East Africa, together with his son’s inability to effect a
good policy, led to mounting unrest in the tribal centres.944 Although brave
and well-respected by his followers, Thuwaynl was unable to prevent Humud
b. ‘Azzan of the Al Bu Sa‘Id of al-Batinah from wresting part of that district
from the government of Masqat and maintaining independence there for the
succeeding years.
Observing the situation within the domain of the Al Bu Sa‘Id in ‘Uman and
basing his own policy toward that region upon the settlement of 1833, Faysal
instructed his deputy in al-Burayml in 1845 to send a demand to both
Thuwaynl and his cousin Humud, requiring both to resume the traditional
payment of zakah to al-Riyad.945 Our sources provide no information as to the
date or amount of the last payments. However, Sa‘d b. Mutlaq’s demand of
$MT25,000 from Masqat and $MT5,000 from Suhar might roughly indicate

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