Page 78 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

power of Turk! or to restrict his gradual expansion beyond Najd. It is not,
however, likely that Turkl had acknowledged Muhammad ‘All’s authority or
acted with his approval.556 Even more unlikely is the possibility that Turkl had
continued throughout his reign to pay an annual tribute to the ruler of
Egypt.557 The Egyptian documents available to us indicate that Muhammad
‘All was greatly annoyed by the Su‘udl revival and by Turkl’s ability to
re-establish a solid authority.550 In fact, Turkl’s rule came about at a time
when the Egyptian influence in Najd was minimal. Moreover, there were
events of greater importance which diverted Egyptian attention far away from
Najd and prevented them from interfering in its local affairs. In Arabia, for
example, the Egyptians were embroiled in a serious campaign in ‘Aslr, a
situation requiring attention which might otherwise have been directed
towards Najd.559 Furthermore, Muhammad ‘All at that time was preoccupied
with an even more serious problem, namely the revolt in Greece against the
Ottomans. In 1824 the Sultan entrusted Muhammad ‘All with the
responsibility of subduing this dangerous political uprising, a task which
absorbed his energies for several years.560 In the light of his present duties,
Muhammad ‘All regarded the new developments in Najd as minor in
importance and undertook to deal with them at a later and more favourable
time.561
Turk!, on the other hand, made use of this period to firmly establish his
power .and broaden his influence. Like his ancestors and predecessors, Turk!
attributed great importance to the reform doctrines, making them the core of
his regime. He supressed tribal conflict, punished robbery severely, and
exacted no financial tribute beyond that of the annual zakah.562 The tragic end
of the earlier Su‘udl state, the destructive invasion of Najd, and the painful
experience which Turkl himself underwent through his escape and hiding
after the fall of al-Dir‘iyah seem to have all contributed to his moderate
policy.563 He closely watched the activities of the Ottoman and British powers
in Arabia. Mindful of the damage they had done to al-Dir‘iyah and its
supporters, Turk! was careful not to provoke their active hostility. He also
sought to be on friendly terms with both powers, while maintaining
independent rule nonetheless.
Turkl’s contact with the Ottoman authorities through the walls of Baghdad
and Egypt can be traced back to the early years of his reign. He expressed his
willingness to police the pilgrimage route, which apparently extended beyond
his jurisdiction, if the government concerned would authorize him to do so.564
The pasha of Baghdad endorsed the suggestion, partly because he was
convinced that Turkl could insure the safety of the ‘Iraqi and Persian pilgrims
and their property along the road to Makkah, and partly to help weaken
Muhammad ‘Alfs influence in Arabia and its possible threat to al-‘Iraq.
Muhammad ‘All, who had already been disturbed by the revival of the Su‘udl-
Wahhabl state, was outraged by TurkFs rapprochement with both himself and
the wall of Baghdad. He not only rejected it totally, but also described Turkl as
a mean and unreliable descendant of the hostile Su‘udl family and threatened
to eliminate the Su‘udl establishment as soon as possible.565 Turk!did not have
any contact with the British until a few years later, when his influence had
spread widely along the Arabian coast.566 Friendly and informal relations were
to develop between the Su‘udls and the British authorities in India and the
Gulf, but this will be discussed later, in a more appropriate place.
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