Page 44 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

combined troops stationed at al-Zubarah forced the Al Khallfah to submit
totally; subsequently, ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Ufaysan transferred his headquarters to
the island.250 Although the shaykhs continued to be the titular rulers, this
change gave greater control to the Su‘udis and soon brought about the transfer
of horses and some of the Al Khalifah’s military equipment to al-Dir‘iyah. The
Su'udls also established a new treasury department, Bayt al-Mal, to take
charge of the financial affairs in al-Bahrayn.251
It was during this period in the history of al-Bahrayn that news of
Muhammad ‘Ali’s plan to lead a military expedition against Su‘udl power
began to spread through western and central Arabia. Disturbed by such news
and angered by the equivocal attitudes of the Al Khallfah, Su‘ud called the
shaykhs of al-Bahrayn to al-Dir‘Iyah.252 He rebuked them for the iniquity of
their ways and detained them there, apparently as a precaution against possible
further trouble in the Gulf.253
The sons of the shaykhs, resenting their new status as private citizens in their
own country, went to Masqat to appeal for help.254 Sa‘id b. Sultan, the current
ruler of Masqat, took advantage of the temporary reduction in the Su‘udl
garrison on the island and joined the sons of the Al Khallfah chiefs in their
attack on al-Bahrayn in 1811. They forced the Su‘udl garrison to surrender,
detaining Fahd b. ‘Ufaysan and sixteen of his men as hostages for the release of
the shaykhs at al-Dir‘Iyah.255 Preoccupied with the threat materializing from
Egypt in the west, Su‘ud took no furher action against al-Bahrayn, but instead
released the shaykhs from detention and sent them home on the condition that
they accept his jurisdiction over the country. 256
The increase in Egyptian pressure in the western part of Su‘udl territory
prevented Su‘ud from reasserting his authority in al-Bahrayn. Nevertheless,
mutual understanding and co-operation seem to have been upheld by both
sides during the next few years. At one point, for example, the Su‘udls
expulsed Rahmah b. Jabir from al-Dammam and demolished his fort in order
to secure the safety and rule of the Al Khallfah over the islands of al-
Bahrayn.257

Al-Kuwayt

The migration of the two other ‘Utbl branches, Al Khallfah and Al Jalahimah,
to Qatar left al-Kuwayt and its affairs in the hands of Al Sabah. Owing to their
warlike character and ruling ability, Al Sabah, though few in number, were
able to maintain power over the other elements in al-Kuwayt.258As in other
parts of eastern Arabia, the settled inhabitants in the town and harbour of
al-Kuwayt during the latter half of the eighteenth century consisted of
elements of Banu Khalid, ‘Ujman, Dawasir, and some Baharinah, in addition
to Al Sabah and their ‘Utbl kinsmen. The hinterland was inhabited by the
‘Awazim and Rashayidah Bedouin tribes and was frequented by some tribes
from central Arabia as well.259
Within the Al Sabah family, the shaykhs were selected by the townspeople
(predominantly merchants) on the basis of courage and wisdom, qualities
which Arabs generally look for in their leaders.260 Their right to rule, then,
was not hereditary but rather conferred by the people themselves.261 While Al
Khallfah at al-Bahrayn suffered serious challenges and setbacks from

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