Page 61 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

promote their influence. Al-Burayml continued to be the Su‘udl headquarters
during the entire period of their presence in ‘Uman.407 It has an excellent
location and is considered the inland key to that country, since it is both the
only well-watered and self-sufficient locality in the district of al-Zahirah and
also the crossroad of the routes leading to major towns in the Batinah
district.408
The developments in the Zahirah region and the consolidation of the Su‘udl
hold on al-Burayml caused intense excitement throughout ‘Uman, and Sultan
b. Ahmad, though preoccupied by off-and-on military operations on the coast,
hastily gathered a tribal force together. Supported by his brother Qays, the
governor of Suhar, he marched towards al-Zahirah to oppose the Su‘udl
advance and, if possible, dislodge them from their position.409 Sultan found
the Su‘udls to be well established in al-Buraymi, and his first encounter with
the invading army resulted in his being compelled to make a truce with al-Harq
and retire to Suhar, where he dismissed his troops.410 The truce brought a
temporary end to hostilities between the two parties, enabling both to bid for
broader influence and contemplate other dimensions of action. The Su‘udls
continued to promote their influence in eastern and southeastern Arabia,
though much of their effort was now being directed to the western frontiers in
trying to win over the sharif of Makkah.411 The ruler of Masqat, on the other
hand, was able to pursue his design to conquer al-Bahrayn.412 He had tried in
1799 and succeeded in the following year, but was finally expelled two years
later, and an end was put to his enterprise.
Shortly after this event, hostilities between Sultan and the Su‘udls resumed
as a result of the former’s conduct. Humiliated by the expulsion of his garrison
from al-Bahrayn and the elimination of his power there, and at that moment in
no position to contest the Su‘udis in al-Zahirah, Sultan designed another plan
for the reduction of his enemy, a plan by which he consequently provoked the
outrage and retaliation of the Dir‘Iyah authorities. Replying to a request from
Ghalib b. Musa‘ad, the sharif of Makkah, for financial and military aid and
cooperation in repelling the Su‘ud!s (who, at that time, were in control of most
of western Arabia and about to bring the sacred lands under their sway), Sultan
b. Ahmad set out with several notable ‘Uman! figures on a pilgrimage which
was apparently dictated more by political motives than those of piety.413 He
took with him money and ammunition for the sharif.414 He also prepared a
military contingent and dispatched it to Juddah to join the sharif s troops.415
The news of Sultan’s meddling in Hijaz affairs and the presence of the
Masqat! contingent with the sharif s army exasperated the Amir ‘Abd al-AzIz.
Soon after his return from the campaign, he declared war against Masqat and
ordered his commander al-Harq to resume military operations in the area.416
He also ordered his allies, the Qawasim and the ‘Utub of al-Bahrayn, to send
out their fleet to disturb the commerce of Masqat. Al-Harq then launched a
full-scale attack upon ‘Uman, forcing the passes of western Hajar and
penetrating through al-Batinah.417
The Su‘ud! state appears to have become too powerful for the ruler of
Masqat to oppose. Finding himself alone and in a critical position, Sultan
reached an acceptable accommodation with the Su‘udl amir.418 He dispatched
a mission to al-Dir‘Iyah which worked out a tentative agreement on his behalf;
hostilities would be suspended for a three year period, on the condition that an
annual zakah of $MT 12,000 be paid to al-Dir‘Iyah and a Su‘udl political

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