Page 583 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883_Neat

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RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1882*83.
Ameer, prepared to re-occupy Bcrcymee, and 'Azzan-bin-Keis and his
brother Ibraheem lia3tened to meet the danger. The Waliabces, how­
ever, retired to Nejd on accouut of difficulties in their rear. ^ a
Seyyid Toorkee, who was now free to act in 'Orndn, thinking' the
time favourable, appeared on the sceue, and landed on the so-called
i( pirate coast " in the spring of 1870. On this occasion Seyyid Toorkee
was unsuccessful and obliged to return to Bunder 'Abbds, but in Sep­
tember, the same year, bo again landed in ■'Oman, and defeated 'Azan-
bin-Keis at Dhank in El- Bbalnrali with heavy loss. Sey}'id Toorkee then
proceeded himself to the south-east of 'Omfin, gathering considerable
forces as he went. Of these he placed a portion under command of
Seyf-bin Suleiman, Chief of tho Bcni-Itiyara.
In January 1871 Seyf-bin-Suleiman attacked Matrab, and 'Azzan-
bin-Keis, having fallen in the encounter, Matrah and Muscat fell into the
hands of Seyyid Toorlice’s adherents. Seyf-bin-Suleiman, the victorious
leader, was also killed on this occasion.
The accession of Seyyid Toorkee was generally popular in 'Oman,
the tribes having somewhat resented the vigor­
Sejyid Toorkec-bin-Su’ecd.
ous centralizing policy adopted by Seyyid 'Azzan
and El-Khaleylee. The latter person died a few days after the capture
of Muscat in confinement.
The leader of the ’Azzdn faction was thereafter Ibraheera-bin-Keis,
who, for some time, maintained himself in Sobar.
During the next few years desultory efforts were made by the late
Sultan Seyyid Salim, and by Seyyid 'Abdul 'Azecz, a younger brother of
Seyyid Toorkee, to oust the latter. These proceedings led to both
princes being arrested on the sea by British authority, and detained in
Sind, where Seyyid Salim died in 1876. Seyyid 'Abdul 'Azeez was
subsequently invited by Scyyid Toorkee to return to Muscat to assist
him in the administration, but jealousies soon arose, and the plan was
unsuccessful, Seyyid Toorkee, feeling his position embarrassing, retired
temporarily to Gwadur, on the Mckran coast, leaviug Seyyid 'Abdul
'Azeez to deal with the affairs of the State. The latter, having scanty
funds at his disposal, and being besides naturally less opeD-banded than
Toorkee, soon became unpopular and encountered opposition. Seyyid
Toorkee returned suddenly to Muscat in his brother’s absence, and
resumed the reins of government. 'Abdul 'Azeez retired to the interior,
where be awaits an opportunity of possessing himself of the chief power.
During Seyyid Toorkee's reign, which has been the reverse of vigor­
ous, several attempts have been made to capture Muscat, in which
Ibrdheem-bin-Keis, Salih-bin-Ali, El-Harthee, and Seyyid 'Abdul 'Azeez
have at times taken part; but these expeditions have not been conducted
with much skill or earnestness.
Who will eventually establish his power in succession to the present
Sultdn cannot with any confidence be predicted. Seyyid ToorkAe*s sons
are young and inexperienced, and in Seyyid 'Abdul 'Azeez and Seyvid
Ibrdkeem they will have formidable rivals, Thero are not wanting also
symptoms of plotting on the part of leaders of the Hiudwee faction of
'Oman, with a view to a complete change of dynasty.
e. c. ROSS.
January, 1883.