Page 53 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

administration and entrusted the administration of the territories
acknowledging al-Dir‘iyah supremacy to local tribal chiefs, who in turn were
responsible to al-Dir‘Iyah through Mutlaq.
The Su‘udl concentration on southeastern Arabia had a considerable effect
on the confederacy of the Qawasim. Despite the adoption of the religious
reform and recognition of Su‘udi rule, the paramount shaykh of the Qawasim
continued to exercise unlimited authority over his followers, and his leadership
remained unaffected by the new overlordship. Throughout the previous
period, the Su‘udl amir at al-Dir‘Iyah had enjoyed the cooperation of his coastal
allies. Their religious sincerity, demonstrated by their observance of Islamic
duties, most notably the collection of zakah and their apparently faithful
attachment to the Su‘udi cause, was esteemed highly by the Su‘udi-Wahhabl
officials.333 Moreover, the naval power of the Qawasim had been put at the
disposal of the Su‘udis, who used it to threaten and harass opposing powers in
the region. For such reasons the Qawasim gained the confidence of the Su‘udls
and were trusted to conduct their own affairs.
However, partly due to the Qawasim-English confrontation and partly to
the emergence of Sa‘Id b. Sultan as the ablest ruler of the Al Bu Sa‘Id, the
Su‘udls changed the chieftainship of the QasimI confederacy and began to
exercise more control over the country and its tribes. One would be led to
assume that news of the treaty concluded between Sultan b Saqr and Seton
relating to shipping had filtered into al-Dir‘iyah and caused some concern
there. Perhaps for the first time the Amir Su‘ud realized the extent of Sultan’s
authority in the area. The Amir Su‘ud appears to have been irritated by the
behaviour of his tributary for having taken such an important matter into his
own hands without seeking consultation. After all, such conduct might
encourage Sultan b. Saqr to cooperate with indigenous powers capable of
weakening the Qasiml-Su‘udi alliance. Therefore, Su‘ud began to grow
suspicious of Sultan’s fidelity.
In the meantime, Su‘ud summoned Husayn b. ‘All, the shaykh of Rams, to
al-Dir‘Iyah.334 Through him, Su‘ud learned more about Qawasim activities,
revenues and strength. These events, it will be recalled, coincided with al-
Dir‘iyah’s intention to take more effective measures and impose direct rule
over the coast of ‘Uman. Subsequently, the authority of Sultan b. Saqr was
restricted exclusively to the port of Ra’s al-Khaymah.
Husayn b. ‘All became Su‘ud’s representative on the coast and was vested
with authority over the whole principality, including Ra’s al-Khaymah. 335
Other officers were also appointed by Su‘ud to the smaller sub-divisions in the
country. Such delegation of power to loyal appointees, together with the
penetration of the Su‘udl forces into other parts of ‘Uman, strengthened the
Su‘udl hold and helped them to keep their tributaries under closer
surveillance.336 The revenues of the principality were now being closely
watched by the Su‘udi agents. As a result, the portion of zakah delivered
annually to the central treasury at al-Dir‘Iyah increased eventually, but
substantially, from $MT 4,000 to $MT 12,000.337
Motivated by religious zeal as well as love of adventure and a long-
established tradition of plunder and feeling stronger and more secure with the
dominant Su‘udi power now behind them, the Qawasim began to organize
themselves militarily and to extend their operations. The tribes began to cruise
in squadrons of fifteen to twenty vessels, each commanded by a representative

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