Page 88 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

His ascendancy over the other chiefs resulted from the fact that he had already
been their paramount shaykh from 1804 to 1807, as well as from having been
the shaykh of Shariqah, the second most important town in the region, since
1814. His supremacy was also enhanced by a naval fleet of thirty vessels which
he had reputedly hidden shortly before the expedition, thus saving them from
otherwise inevitable destruction.666
In subsequent years, Sultan b. Saqr brought the Qawasim back together,
restored their confidence, and built up their ports. He personally maintained
good relations with the British authorities in the Gulf.667 However, the
political instability in southeastern Arabia made the region a stage for constant
struggle among rival leaders, and minor wars erupted sporadically as a result of
factional and territorial conflicts. As paramount shaykh of the Qawasim, Sultan
had to contend with more than one rival in the area to defend his suzerainty and
to preserve the interest of his followers. Tahnun b. Shakhbut, chief of the
Banu Yas of Abu Zabi, became his principal foe, despite the fact that both
shaykhs were Sunnis. It seems that political affiliations contributed largely to
their differences. Tahnun and his followers associated themselves with Sa‘Id b.
Sultan, who was traditional enemy of the Qawasim. 668
Rivalry between the two shaykhs over the Burayml region inflamed their
mutual hostility and led to some skirmishes. Since 1820, the chief of Abu Zabi
had been trying to extend his authority over the Burayml region, but the
Nu‘aym tribe, the dominant tribe in the area, resented and resisted his
attempts.669 They appealed to their kinsmen of ‘Ajman on the coast for
support against both Abu Zabi and Masqat.670 Sultan b. Saqr immediately
offered to mediate in the dispute and brought about an agreement between
Sa‘Id b. Sultan and the Nu'aym tribe, whereby the forts of al-Burayml were
declared to be neutral.671 Afterwards, Sultan b. Saqr realized that his joint
rivals, Tahnun and Sa‘Id, might try to combine their efforts in an attempt to
gain greater influence over the area. In 1824, therefore, he occupied the
Burayml forts himself, claiming that he had the responsibility of protecting the
Nu‘aym tribe and of looking after their interests.672 Unable to force Sultan to
evacuate the forts, Tahnun retaliated by encouraging and assisting the Sudan
tribe, who had seceded from Shariqah, in building a fort midway between
Shariqah and Dubay, and then helped them to get established there.673 This
settlement, manipulated by Tahnun, created considerable problems for
Sultan.
The general state of tension along the coast as a result of this conflict induced
the mediation of the British Residency. Both sides were led to agree to the
demolition of the Burayml towers and the fort of Sudan, as well as to the
relocation of the Sudan tribe. But when neither side showed any sign of
fulfilling the stipulations of the agreement because of mutual mistrust, the
Resident ordered his native agent in Masqat to proceed with local forces to
al-Burayml in order to enforce the execution of the agreement.674 However,
before any action was taken there, Sultan b. Saqr attacked the Sudan
settlement and defeated a relief force dispatched by Tahnun. At this point,
Sa‘Id b. Sultan of Masqat interfered, and the dispute was temporarily settled
without touching upon Burayml affairs. 675
It was around this time that the Su‘udl state in Najd was being re­
established. Other parts of Arabia, especially the former Su‘udl frontiers,
began to grow aware of the newly-revived state’s potential power and the

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