Page 51 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

place of veneration and was visited frequently by the inhabitants of al-SIr.
However, it was razed when the region completely acknowledged Su'udI
authority.313
The conversion of some of the tribes and the deputation of al-Dir‘Iyah
representatives in the area marked the first step in the Su‘udl expansion along
the coast of ‘Uman, and traditional tribal warfare enhanced the Su‘udl position
in the following years. However, it was not until Salim b. Bilal al-Harq took
command of the Su‘udi forces in southeastern Arabia that the Dirilyah
expansionist plan really began to materialize. Leading a large Su'udI
detachment mounted on horses and camels and supported by loyal elements of
the Zahirah tribes, al-Harq penetrated the Burayml region and established a
fortified settlement there.314 The Burayml town became a centre from which
al-Harq directed his military operations towards both the territories of the
Sultanate of Masqat and the unconverted remainder of the coastal tribes.315
While in al-Burayml, al-Harq succeeded in establishing his supremacy over
the greater part of the coast. In trying to win the rulers of Ra’s al-Khaymah
over to his side, al-Harq employed tactics of personal contact and persuasion.
He despatched a delegation composed of members of the Nu‘aym tribe to
explain to the shaykhs of Ra’s al-Khaymah the doctrines of the reform, while
urging them to cooperate with the Dir‘Iyah authority.316 When they rejected
his offer and showed their resistance, al-Harq resorted to arms, despatching a
contingent of two hundred cavalrymen accompanied by a force of five hundred
men of the Nu‘aym tribe. Marching towards Ra’s al-Khaymah, the army
stationed itself in the date-cultivating area between the town and al-Basatln,
thus cutting off Ra’s al-Khaymah’s communication with other localities.317
After a ten-day siege, the inhabitants of die town were able to force the I
invading army to retreat but did not have sufficient strength to pursue them
further. Later, al-Harq and the Su‘udl detachment returned with a fresh
reinforcement of elements from tribes allied to the Su'udls and surrounded
Ra’s al-Khaymah for over two weeks.318 The Qawasim subsequendy
submitted peacefully to the reformed doctrines, swore fidelity to their laws and
injunctions, and fully acknowledged Su‘udl supremacy. 319
Being not only Sunnis but Han balls as well, the Qawasim enthusiasrically
adopted the principle of jihad, which appealed to their warlike instinct and
perpetuated their habit of waging navi aggression against others in the
Gulf.320 Furthermore, the Qawasim found in the Su‘udl alliance the strength
to menace their traditional foe, the ruler of Masqat, discouraging his repeated
attempts to gain control of some of their dependencies. Despite the strength of
Su‘udl influence on the coast, the Qawasim remained masters in their own
land. Recognirion of the Dir‘Iyah authority was acknowledged by the presence
of Najdl preachers, who could make frequent visits to the country or else stay
there permanently to supervise religious affairs, teach reformed precepts, and
serve as well as informers on developments in the area.321 The annual zakdh
was also to be remitted to al-Dir‘Iyah. Furthermore, the fifth portion of all
spoils was to be delivered to the overlord, although not all of the coastal
inhabitants observed these practices from the beginning. Some of them,
especially those living in Lingeh on the Persian side of the Gulf, did not
conform with this Su^dl-Wahhabi practice until some years later.322
Nevertheless, they continued to comply with Su‘udl commands whenever it
was demanded of them. In 1803, for example, they campaigned against the

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