Page 582 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883_Neat

23 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF TIIE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

Iii 1856 Seyyid Sa'eed died at the Seychelles islands on his way to
Zanzibar at the age of 65 years.
On the decease of Seyyid Sa'eed-bin-Sultan, the eldest surviving son
Thoweynee assumed the government of 'Oman ;
Tho\voyncc-bin-Sii’ee<L
Majid, who was the fourth surviving son, suc­
ceeding to the government of the African possessions. It was agreed
between the two that Seyyid Majid should compensate Seyyid Thoweynce
for the superior richness of the Zanzibar inheritance by paying an annual
sura of 40,000 dollars to Muscat, but Seyyid Majid having subsequently
refused to abide by this agreement, Seyyid Thoweynee prepared to attack
Zanzibar, which place the Arabs of the 'Oman could have easily subdued.
• The dispute was settled in 1860 by the arbitration of the British
Government, -which decided that the Ruler of Zanzibar should pay the
Ruler.of Muscat a yearly sum of 40,000 dollars without prejudice to the
complete independence of the former. This decision was well received
by both the brothers and continued to be acted on without interruption
uutil the death of Seyyid Thoweynee.
Meantime Seyyid Toorkee, the third son of Seyyid Sa'eed, remained
in his government of Sobar by no means satisfied with his position.
He was pacified only through the mediation of the British Govern­
ment.
Seyyid ' \zzan-bin-Keis also caused uneasiness to Seyyid Thoweynee
by his intrigues with the Wahabees, who, in 1865, overran'Oman to
the eastern coast and plundered Soor. The British Government there­
upon encouraged Seyyid Thoweynee to resist, to the best of his power,
the aggression of the Wahabees, and His Highness proceeded to Sohar
to make preparations. There, in 1866, he was murdered by his son
Salim, who immediately rode to Muscat and seized the reins of power
Seyyid Toorkee was rescued at Sohar by the opportune arrival of the
British Resident, else he would probably have shared Thoweynee's fate.
Seyyid Salim's title to be Ruler of 'Oman was quickly disputed by
Scvyid-SdHm-bin-lhowey- his uncle Seyyid Toorkee, who would doubtless
net have succeeded but for certain interference on the
part of the British Government, which had meantime (I860) recognised
Salim as Ruler of 'Oman. After capturing Matrah in 1807, and reduc­
ing Salim to abject panic, Seyyid Toorkee was induced to accept a
pension and reside in India.
In October 1868, Seyyid #Azzan-bin-Keis, a bold .and able leader,
suddenly seized Muscat, aud the Government of India having decided
not to afford Salim active assistance, the latter had to fly. Subsequent
attempt* of Seyyid Salim to recover 'Oman signally failed, and he died
eventually of small-pox in Sind.
Seyyid 'Azzdn-bin-Keis proved a vigorous ruler, and reduced the whole
Sejryid 'Azzita•bin*Kelt country to obedience, ejecting the Wahabees
from Bereymee. He was, however, in the hands
of a bigoted priesthood headed by the’well-knowu Sa'eed-bin-Khalfan,
Elkhaleylee, who was his chief adviser in all matters. The intolerance of
the Mettowwas gave much offence in Muscat, and probably prevented
the recognition of Seyyid 'Azzan's government by the British. By the
priests Scyyid 'Azzdn was formally proclaimed “Imdm" of the true
believers; meaning the Ibadhi 6ect, the only case in which the title has
been used by rulers of 'Omdn in recent times.
In the beginning of 1870 ;Abdullah-bin-Feysa1, the Wnhabee

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