Page 45 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

prominent contenders and strong rivals, Al Sabah did not. Prudent politics, lack
of rivalry over leadership, and the absence of internal disputes kept their
principality intact, sparing Al Sabah the bitter experience of their cousins.
Like their kinsmen at al-Zubarah and al-Bahrayn, Al Sabah benefited
greatly from the decline of al-Basrah and the diversion of trade and commerce
into the maritime states on the Gulf shores, which made al-Kuwayt an entrepot
for exported and imported goods.262 Until very recently, al-Kuwayt had also
been handling the trade of northern Najd, which was directed towards the Gulf
as well as towards the desert route of Turkish ‘Iraq. 263
As indicated previously, the principality of al-Kuwayt started as a small
town under the protection of the shaykhs of Banu Khalid, the paramount rulers
of eastern Arabia in the eighteenth century.264 The Khalidi power showed
significant signs of decline throughout the second half of the century, enabling
al-Kuwayt withdraw its allegiance and achieve its own independence. The
actual establishment of the principality, however, came during the time when
the Ottoman and Persian powers were at an ebb and hardly considerable as
serious threats. Nevertheless, because they were aware of the importance of
Turkish ‘Iraq to the continuity and progress of al-Kuwayt’s commerce, Al
Sabah deferred to the wall of Baghdad and established close relations with him.
More than once they supported him militarily against his enemies. Even so, Al
Sabah evidently considered the principality to be beyond the wall's
jurisdiction, for in 1793, after a quarrel with the Turkish authorities, the East
India Company’s factors at al-Basrah withdrew to al-Kuwayt. All the same,
the threats of the Su‘udls seem to have fostered Al Sabah’s inclination toward
the Turks, which later led to acknowledgement of Ottoman authority by the
ruler of al-Kuwayt, as well as agreement to pay annual tribute to Baghdad.
Being a part of the vast Khalidi territory and situated on the way to the
Muntafiq lands in southern ‘Iraq, al-Kuwayt was exposed to Su‘udl military
activities during their confrontations with the shaykhs of Banu Khalid and
Ottoman ‘Iraq. The warfare with Banu Khalid over al-Hasa commenced as
early as 1785, but it was not until 1793 that al-Hasa completely acknowledged
al-Dir‘Iyah’s authority. During that period, Al Sabah apprehensively watched
the struggle for supremacy over al-Hasa, but did not seem to have played any
part in that struggle by supporting either side. The friendly relations with their
former overlords, however, persisted, and help was occasionaly offered to
them. The neighbourhood of al-Kuwayt continued to serve as a retreat for the
defeated or dissident Khalidi chiefs. Zayd b. ‘Uray‘ir, a one time Su‘udl
nominee in al-Hasa, was forced to flee to al-Kuwayt.265 A year later,
sympathizers of the Khalidi rule in al-Hasa suddenly apprehended the Najdl
preachers, the Su‘udl governor and the treasurer in al-Hasa, executed them,
and found their way to al-Kuwayt and the Muntafiq territory. 266
At al-Kuwayt, as at other localities which had not yet come under Su‘udl
influence, these self-exiled chiefs and groups would find moral support,
gathering followers from the tribal elements in the area. However, sanctuaries
for defeated and dissident chiefs diminished in number, and the activities of
those chiefs became ineffective when the Su‘udls completely annihilated the
power of Banu Khalid and put the province of al-Hasa under their direct
control. Consequently, al-Kuwayt became progressively more exposed to the
mounting pressure. Its excellent location with regard to the interior of the
peninsula had long been appreciated. Horses, sheep, wool and similar

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