Page 25 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

their decline.93 The final blow to Qarmatian rule, however, came from ‘Abd
Allah al-‘Uyuni, chief of the ‘Abd al-Qays tribe of al-Hasa, in the year 469/
1076.
The ‘Uyunid dynasty survived for about four centuries, with an authority
that extended at times beyond al-Hasa and al-Bahrayn.94 Their rule, although
tribal in nature, brought peace to the area and secured the caravan routes in
eastern Arabia. Gradually, the ‘Uyunids lost their supremacy in al-Hasa,
yielding to the ‘Usfurids of the ‘Uqayl tribe, who had entered the region two
hundred years before.95 The Jabrids, a branch of the ‘Usfurids, continued to
rule in al-Hasa even after the appearance of the Portuguese in the Gulf and the
conquest of Hurmuz in 933/1507. However, it does not seem likely that the
Portuguese intended to extend their power to al-Hasa, despite their occupation
of the sea ports.96 Ajwad b. Zamil, the Jabrid chief, helped the fugitive prince
Sulghur of Hurmuz secure the throne of his homeland, and Sulghur, in return,
granted Ajwad, pending payment of tribute, control over al-Bahrayn and
al-Qatlf, whose profits from trade made them the richest possessions of
Hurmuz.97 After the Portuguese conquest of Hurmuz in 913/1507, Muqrin
al-Jabri embarked upon a pilgrimage in 926/1520, taking with him
conspicuously costly gifts for notable Makkans and a large sum of money to be
distributed to the poor of the Holy Places.98 Upon returning to al-Hasa,
Muqrin discovered that the Portuguese were invading the island of al-
Bahrayn, and he met his death resisting them. In later days the Jabrids became
subjects of the Mughamis family of al-Qatlf, who came to power in 931/1524.
The agressive Portuguese policy in the Gulf had the effect of stirring up the
Ottomans there and in the Red Sea. As soon as the Ottomans reached al-‘Iraq
and captured Baghdad in 941/1534, their influence began to be felt in al-
Hasa.99 Ibn Mughamis, the ruler of the region at this time, recognized
Ottoman authority, but did not come under their direct control.100 The
Ottomans, realizing their weak position in eastern Arabia, did not try to
subjugate al-Hasa to al-Basrah or Baghdad, but instead satisfied themselves
with sending a garrison to be stationed at al-Kut, a fortress at al-Hufuf in the
central oasis. This continued to be the case until 1080/1669, when Barrak b.
Ghurayr, the chief of Al Humayd, a branch of the Banu Khalid tribe of eastern
Arabia, revolted against Rashid b. Mughamis of al-Muntafiq, the chief of Al
Shablb, who was reproached as being a puppet ruler in the hands of the
Ottomans. Barrak succeeded in overthrowing Rashid’s rule and in expelling
the Turkish garrison, making himself the chief of the Banu Khalid and the
ruler of al-Hasa.101
The Banu Khalid at that time was the most powerful nomadic tribe in the
region, wielding considerable influence over an area that included al-Kuwayt,
Qatar and al-Bahrayn.102 The tribal nature of Banu Khalid rule and their
nomadic customs did not, however, hamper them from keeping peace and
harmony in the area, or from providing protection to the trading caravans. 103
Nevertheless, the reign of tranquillity in tribal areas continued only so long as
unity existed within the ruling house itself. The rule of the Banu Khalid began
a difficult period when, after the death of Sa‘dun in 1132/1722, the family of Al
Humayd, the ruling branch, was divided by a number of chiefs struggling for
succession. An immediate result was the weakening of the family’s position
among the tribes, who began to attack and rob Khalidl-protected caravans.104
On one occasion, many notables of al-Hasa, al-Qauf, and al-Bahrayn were slain

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