Page 95 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

interest in the African frontiers. The strategic and commercial advantages of
Zanzibar with its islet and coral-fringed harbour strongly attracted the
merchant ruler of Masqat and helped him multiply his African revenues and
establish himself as the principal overlord of Zanzibar.726 Moreover, Sa Id s
alliance and sharing of interests with the British government convinced him
that the British would stand behind him in protecting his rule and general trade
in ‘Uman.727
However, before leaving for Africa, Sa‘id took certain measures aimed at
securing his regime and preventing possible uprisings. He appointed his
nephew Muhammad b. Salim to act as regent at Masqat.720 Furthermore, he
suspected his cousin Hilal b. Muhammad, the hereditary governor of Suwayq
on the Batinah coast, of disloyal designs and so seized and imprisoned him to
keep him out of mischief.729 This action stirred up great discontent among
Hilal’s family and caused a serious revolt against Masqat’s authority shortly
after Sa‘Id’s departure for Africa. To avenge the seizure of her brother, Hilal s
sister Jawkhah organized the tribes of al-Batinah and captured the fort of
Suwayq.730 Encouraged,by the success of Jawkhah’s operations, the head of
the cadet branch of the A1 Bu Sa‘Id, Humud b. ‘Azzan, took advantage o t e
confusion to install himself in Suhar, a hereditary family fief prior to its
acquisition by Sa‘Id upon the death of Humud’s father, ‘Azzan b. Qays, in
1814. Humud also took possession of several other important towns on the
Batinah coast and made an attempt to capture Masqat. Incapable of dealing
with the revolt, Masqat’s regent appealed to the Resident for help. The latter
sent two British cruisers to the regent’s defence and warned the leaders of the
rebellion to desist from their attempts to overthrow the Masqat! regime.
Even so, Sa‘Id’s frequent visits to Africa and his prolonged absences trom
Masqat inevitably weakened his hold, encouraged further rebellious
activities, and facilitated external interference.
In the meantime, the Su‘udl amir, Turk! b. ‘Abd Allah, had alread\
established his rule in al-Hasa and was in the process of pushing even iurl™*
into eastern and southeastern Arabia. Humud b. ‘Azzan and other triba
leaders of ‘Uman seem to have been impressed by the Su‘udl occupation ot
al-Hasa, for they sent emissaries to Turk! to offer their political affiliation.
Obviously, circumstances in both al-Hasa and ‘Uman ran counter to t e
interests of Sa‘Id b. Sultan, who watched the rapidly growing Su udi power
with apprehension and concern. The internal affairs of his dominions wetx not
conducive to preventing the Su‘udl advance. Sa‘id offered to assist
Muhammad ‘All in gaining control of al-Hasa and al-Bahrayn in exchange or
an annual tribute to be paid to the pasha, but this did not lead to any satis > mg
results.733 Muhammad ‘All was more concerned with the affairs of Syria t mu
and had no extra energy to expend on operations in Arabia. 1 heretore % m oi\ v i
to prevent Su‘udi incursions into his Sultanate, Sa‘Id adopted pea*.* tu nuans.
He opened communications with Turkl, offering his submission, aiu suit an
envoy to al-Riyad requesting the amir’s support for a campaign against a
Bahrayn, which was as dear to the Su‘udl amir as it was to tu IU vl \
Masqat.734 Both had claims to the island, and both were eager to incorporate u
within their jurisdiction. tlK
While Sa‘Id*s readiness to acknowledge Su‘udi supremacy was appaiM in
satisfying and momentarily halted any moves toward 'Uman, the "M''*
concerning al-Bahrayn was unacceptable for, shortly ihoioutni, '

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