Page 122 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

compensation for the property lost, 1009 Disbrowc also wrote to his superiors,
recommending that the Government oflndia interfere actively in helping the
ruler of Masqat to eradicate the Su‘udi presence in ‘Uman.
While the British representative in ‘Uman awaited responses from his
superiors and from the Su‘udls, the administration in al-Riyad was undergoing
a gradual change. In addition to his blindness and general infirmity, Amir
Faysal was paralyzed in the summer of 1865. As a result, he was forced to
delegate the practical administration of domestic and foreign affairs to his son
and heir-apparent, ‘Abd Allah. Although ‘Abd Allah did not become head of
the Su‘udi state until his father died in December, the problem of how to deal
with the Sur incident and its general repercussions, as well as with ‘Umani
affairs in general, had fallen largely into his hands.

*Abd Allah b. Faysal and Eastern Arabia and* Uman

The death of Faysal b. Turk! brought about not only the beginning of the
end of Su‘udl relations with eastern Arabia and ‘Uman, but also with the
eventual disintegration and final eclipse of the Su‘udi state in central Arabia in
the nineteenth century. The major factor contributing to this tragic end was
the dissension of Su‘ud b. Faysal, which led to a long fight against his elder
brother, ‘Abd Allah, the legitimate Su‘udl ruler.
The differences in character, lifestyle, social connections and ambitions
which were to separate the two brothers in the future were already discernible
in the last years of their father’s reign.1010 Aware of the hard feelings between
the heirs, Faysal attempted to smooth things over by means of a traditional
administrative arrangement, which he hoped would pave the way to a peaceful
succession and avert future friction.1011 While the central government and
supreme authority remained in the hands of Amir Faysal, the sons were given a
suitable share of participation in the administration of the country. ‘Abd Allah,
FaysaPs eldest son and long-time right-hand man in council and war, was
proclaimed as heir-apparent, and granted the governorship of al-Riyad and the
central districts.1012 To satisfy Su‘ud’s ambitions while minimizing the
chances of closer contact and thus more friction with his older brother, Faysal
appointed him governor of al-Kharj and al-Aflaj. Muhammad, the third adult
son, became governor of the northern province.1013 No sooner, however, had
Faysal passed away than the already anticipated conflict of interest erupted
into an armed and open opposition.
Despite the legality of ‘Abd Allah’s succesion to the throne and the people’s
endorsement of such a transition by a show of public allegiance, Su‘ud showed
no willingness to comply with his brother’s authority and refused to swear
allegiance. Convinced that support of his stand against ‘Abd Allah was not to
be found in Najd, Su‘ud left for the southwestern part of Arabia. He appealed
to Al ‘Ayid, the ruling family in ‘Aslr, for aid in fighting the newly installed
Su‘udl ruler.1014 When his request was declined, he moved to Najran, where
he met with more success.1015 Rallying to Su*ud’s cause, the chief of that
region recruited the ‘Ujman Bedouin tribe, whose centres of habitation were
located near Najran in southwestern Arabia, as well as near al-Hasa.1016 The
‘Ujman, attached to Su‘ud through maternal blood relations, had little liking
for ‘Abd Allah, who had conducted several punitive raids against certain

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