Page 121 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

Faysal’s eldest son and heir-apparent, whose interest in the Gulf affairs would
have been as great as his father’s. ‘Abd Allah’s participation might have
contributed proportionally to more advantageous results and prepared him for
later policy-making between the Arabs and the English in eastern Arabia.
The occasional discussions between Pelly and Mahbub b. Jawhar regarding
the Arab slave-trade and an exchange treaty proposed by Mahbub had little
ultimate weight. Pelly had grown to dislike Mahbub’s insolent manner,
sometimes doubting that the ideas brought up by him could have originated
with Faysal.999
In conclusion, although it provided more accurate information on the
geography, tribes, and present political condition in Arabia, Pclly’s journey
does not appear to have produced political benefits or to have helped to diffuse
the troubles in ‘Uman.1000 Upon returning to ‘Uman and witnessing the
increasing Su‘udl influence and the growing pressure on the government of
Masqat, Pelly reversed his former attitude toward Faysal and resolved not only
to contain Su‘udl activity within the region, but also to instigate and assist
Thuwaynl in attacking al-Burayml and, if possible, in driving the Su‘ud!s out
of the country.1001
Meanwhile, Su‘ud! relations with Masqat had remained unchanged by
Pelly’s mission. Shortly after Pelly arrived in Masqat from Najd, Faysal
demanded from Thuwaynl an increase in the amount of zakah from $MT
12,000 to $MT 40,000, threatening subsequent punishment if there were no
compliance.1002 A month later, the usual Su‘udl mission arrived at Masqat and
demanded the higher amount requested earlier. After consulting with Colonel
Disbrowe, the political agent at Masqat, Thuwaynl decided to pay only the
standard $MT 12,000. He sent a messenger to Faysal informing him that he
had paid the usual amount, and was awaiting Faysal’s reply to Pelly’s offer of
mediation (despatched to al-Riyad earlier in the month) before responding to
the additional demands.1003
Before Thuwaynl’s letter reached its destination, a tribal disturbance broke
out in ‘Uman, causing the Su‘ud! troops in the area to become involved. The
Janabah tribe, who inhabited the port of Sur and its environs in the Ja‘lan
province of southern ‘Uman, had become disillusioned with the government of
Masqat and sought to disavow their allegiance to Thuwaynl. 1004 They
appealed to the Su‘udl contingent, which happened to be in southern ‘Uman,
and also to the Banu Bu ‘All tribe, who had allied themselves with the Su‘udls
in ‘Uman as well.1005 The Su‘udis and the Banu Bu ‘All were only too willing to
answer the call, and joined the Janabah cause promptly.1006 The joint elements
overpowered the Masqat! garrison at Sur, looted the town of approximately
$MT 27,000, and killed an Indian merchant during the assault.1007 Since the
looting took place in a commercial part of the town run exclusively by Hindu
shopkeepers and British Indian subjects, this group of townspeople suffered
exceptional financial losses. Colonel Disbrowe was outraged and, as a result,
this compounded his hostile attitude towards the Su‘ud! state. For example,
Disbrowe strongly exhorted Thuwaynl to bring the rebellious tribes at Sur into
submission.1003 At the same time, he blamed the Su‘ud!s for the whole affair,
accusing them of inciting the tribe to overthrow Thuwayni’s authority, of
collaborating in the attack, and of being the cause behind the looting. In the
name of the Government of India, Disbrowe wrote to both Amir Faysal and the
governor of al-Burayml protesting at the incident and demanding

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