Page 39 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

al-Zubarah, thus separating themselves from the rest of the country and
perpetuating the growing tension in the area.191
The silence of our sources regarding A1 Musallam’s response to A1
Khalifah’s refusal to pay tribute would seem to indicate that the former did not
carry out any offensive operation, probably because they did not have the
strength to match the rising power of the numerous ‘Utub who, despite
personal differences and conflicts of interest, could easily have united their kin
and eliminated Al Musallam.
The inhabitants of other parts of Qatar, though refraining from any
aggressive actions against al-Zubarah and even defending it in the face of
invaders, did not seem to have been on better terms with the Al Khallfah. In
later years, the Qatar tribes were to threaten Al Khallfah when the Su‘udls
besieged al-Zubarah. 19f
The real menace to Al Khalifah’s position in Qatar did not, however, come
from the indigenous people of the land, but rather from the ‘Utub themselves.
Shortly after Al Khallfah had established themselves at al-Zubarah, their
cousins, Al Jalahimah, came from al-Kuwayt with the intention of joining
them in Qatar.193 However, Al Sabah, a powerful ‘UtubI branch, deprived Al
Jalahimah of their share of the revenue and expelled them from al-Kuwayt. 194
Although Al Jalahimah were at first hospitably received at al-Zubarah and
were given adequate income, their stay was of short duration.195 A few years
after their arrival, dissent broke out for reasons similar to those in al-Kuwayt.
Al Jalahimah asked Al Khallfah for a greater income.196 When Al Khallfah
refused to comply, Al Jalahimah left al-Zubarah and took up residence in the
neighbouring village of al-Ruways, where they turned their attention to
equipping, preserving, and increasing their fleet, with the object of revenging
themselves upon Al Khallfah.197 Under their leader Jabir, Al Jalahimah
menaced al-Zubarah by attacks at sea, molesting and capturing what they
could of the property and vessels of other ‘Utub. However, they were
subsequently all but exterminated after a fierce battle with Al Khallfah and
their supporters.198 After this event, which resulted in the establishment of the
sovereignty of Al Khallfah over the other ‘Utbi clans in the vicinity of al-
Zubarah, the remnants of Al Jalahimah moved to the port of Khawr Hasan,
where they were destined to play an even more notorious role in later years,
under the leadership of Rahmah b. Jabir. 199
Under Al Khalifah’s rule, al-Zubarah grew and prospered as a centre for
maritime commerce. Its growth was stimulated by the Persian siege and
occupation of al-Basrah in 1775-1779. During this period, a number of Basrah
merchants took up residence at al-Zubarah and the trade of the upper Gulf was
eventually diverted there.200 The gradual hold which Al Khallfah acquired
over the pearl banks off Qatar and al-Bahrayn contributed to the prosperity
and development of the town. 201
The increasing importance of al-Zubarah at the expense of neighbouring
localities angered the Persian government, and the reduction of this place
became a main objective.202 Therefore, a series of unsuccessful attempts
toward this goal were made by the shaykh of Bushire.203 By the time the
campaign against al-Zubarah began, the ‘Utbi clans had reached a
reconciliation among themselves and had even succeeded in securing the
cooperation and support of the tribes of Qatar. With such unified forces, Al
Khallfah repulsed the repeated attacks and grew bold in their retaliation. A

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