Page 23 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

stipulating that they not be released until they had agreed to pay an annual
tribute from the crops of their settlements.76
The sources do not elaborate on the motives behind these HijazI
expeditions, nor do they shed any light on the consequences they had. Later
Najdl historians simply quote al-‘Isami’s account of these events, and he, in
turn, limits his subject matter to Makkah affairs. One might interpret these
moves against Najd as attempts by the sharifs to make their influence felt in the
absence of strong local rule in the area, as well as a means of subjecting the
inhabitants to levies when necessary. However, there is no evidence in the
sources that Najd represented a threat to the sharifs sovereignty in Makkah,
nor that it participated with the Bedouins in any harmful activities against the
pilgrim caravans.77
Within Najd, both in the areas roamed by the Bedouins and in the settled
territories whose inhabitants were divided and competing against one another,
strong chiefs began to organize their activities and promote themselves for the
leadership of surrounding areas. Along the Wadi Hanlfah, three ruling
families attained prominent positions. In previous years, Al Mu‘ammar of the
settled tribe of Tamlm had purchased the vast and fertile land of al-‘Uyaynah
and established themselves there.78 Afterwards, other tribes came to settle in
al-‘Uyaynah, encouraged by the quantity of water and the fertility of the soil.
The ruling family, through its peaceful policy and good conduct, was able to
extend its domain beyond its actual lordship while avoiding conflict with
neighbouring powers. The Al Mu‘ammar’s interest in improving the economy
of the settlements focused on planting and irrigation. They also secured the
safety and stability of their rule by achieving friendly relations with their
stronger neighbours, the Banu Khalid of al-Hasa. Moreover, the Al-
Mu‘ammar benefited from their cooperation with the rulers of al-Hasa by
receiving an annual allowance in exchange for protecting the merchants in the
interior area of al-Hasa. Nevertheless, the situation took a turn for the worse in
al-‘Uyaynah just after the death of its great ruler, ‘Abd Allah b. Muhammad Al
Mu‘ammar, in 1138/1725-6.79 His successors lacked the skill of their father,
and the decline of their rule was accelerated by family intrigue and dissent. The
death of ‘Abd Allah Al Mu‘ammar also coincided with the emergence of
Muhammad b. Su‘ud as ruler of neighbouring al-Dir‘Iyah, and the latter
eventually incorporated the possessions of Al Mu‘arnmar into his own state.
The ancestors of Ibn Su‘ud of the ‘Anazah tribe inhabited the Wadi Hanlfah
a long time before they became a dominant power in the region. The first of the
family to settle there was Mani‘ al-Murldi, who was given the places of
al-GhasIbah and al-Mulaybid in 850/1446 by his distant relative Ibn Dir*. 80
The Murid! family grew larger and stronger to such an extent that the Al Yazld
of the Banu Hanlfah, who were native to the area, had to leave their property
and hand over the leadership to their new neighbours.01 Then the Murldls
built a larger settlement which they named al-Dir‘Iyah, and soon began
contesting for wider rule and a larger state. They even challenged the lord of
al-‘Uyaynah, who was considered at that time to be far more powerful than
they were, and at one point attacked him in his own town. In 1139/1726,
Muhammad b. Su‘ud, a direct descendant of Mani‘ al-Murldi, became the
ruler of al-Dir‘iyah. Described as a man of good character and wise conduct,
his generosity and concern for social welfare in his domain united his people
and made them willing to cooperate with him.82 Nevertheless, it was not until

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