Page 26 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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CHAPTER IV.
Rebellion of Hinawi tribes under Slieikh Saleh-bin-Ali, 1894-95.
(i) The events.
40. Towards tho end of Octobor 1894 tbo Saltan recoivcd a lottcr from
this Sheikh, who wrote that he was visit­
Political Agent’* letter No. 85, dated 13th Septem­
ber 1804. ing Samad for tho purpose of settlin'? tho
External A., March 1895, No. 3998 (No. 41).
differences which had arisen amongst" tho
Hinawi tribes residing there, tho Habus, tho Zalcawinch, and tho Wuvud. Ho
added that he had also hoped to make peaco between the Habus and certain of
the Ghnfiri tribos with whom they had been at war, but that during his sojourn
at Samad a serious disturbance had taken place, and ho had in consequence
declined to negotiate between tho Hinawis and tho Ghafiris. Tho lattor had
since taken their departure. Tho Shoikh’s lettor was followed by a rumour
that, the Ghnfiri tribes holding the passes into Oman proper had closed them
to Hinawi and Qhafiri caravans desirous of coming from the interior to Maslcat.
They had been directed to take this step, it was assorted, by Shoikh Saleh who
was much inconsed against the Sultan, on acoount of the markod favour which
he had beeu latterly showing to Sheikli Saul-bin-Ali of tho Darth tribo, with a
view, Sheikh Saleh believed, to undermining tho latter’s influence in the
Sharkiyeh. Tho rumour proved to bo true, and a messenger was immediately
despatched by tho Sultan to summon the chiefs of tho tribes implicated to
Maskat; and on their refusing to comply, ho soized and imprisoned the two
sons of one of their number who happened to ho at Mattrah.
41. Meanwhile disquieting reports were abroad regarding Shoikh Saleh’s
Political Agent’* li tter*, No. 253, dated 0th Nor. movements; he had collected a large
amber and 22ud November 1390. force, it was stated, with the intention not,
Ibid, Not. 46 and 48.
as he himself gave out, of punishing the
Beni-Shehom and of investing Wadi Idmah, but of attacking the capital. His
subsequent punishment of the Beni-Shehem and capture of Wadi Idmah testi­
fied, however, to the truth of his announcement; but he was still believed to
he contemplating a move against Maskat, and the arrival of his son with a
considerable following in the Wadi Tiyin gave colour to the report. These
repeated rumours appear to have made no impression on the Sultan who refused
to believe either that Sheikh Saleh had hostile designs against himself or that
the closing of the passes by the Ghafiri tribes was to be ascribed to his influence.
In the third week in November he received a second letter from Sheikh Saleh
in which he was informed of the punishment inflicted by the Sheikh on the
Beni-Shehera, and in which it was stated that the Ghafiris would shortly re­
open the passes. Sheikh Saleh, also expressed a hope that the Sultan would,
on the re-opening of the passes, release the two Ghafiris whom he had seized as
hossages; and on authentic news reaching Maskat some days later that the
passes were no longer closed, the two youths were given their freedom. In
the last week of November liashid-bin-Uzaiz, "W ali of Seraail, arrived in
Maskat from Semail, and reported that peace had been concluded between tho
Kahabiyin and Al-Jawabir, a branch of the tribe of tho Al-Habus.
42. News of a more unpleasant nature was received in December to the
effect that there had been a sanguinary conflict between the Beni-Riyam and
Beni-Hina residing in Nezwah. The disturbance appears to have commenced
with an attack by the Beni-Riyara on a mosque situated in the quarter called
As-Suweik, and the massacre of fifteen of the Boni-Hina who were inside. On
hearing of this outrage tho Beni-Hina, headed by Badr-Bin-Hilal, flew to arms
and in the encounter which ensued twenty-five of the Beni-Riyam were killed
and fifty wounded. The disorder reigning subsequent to this disturbance was
apparently brought to the notice of Sheikh, Saleh for, in January 1896, ho des­
patched his son Sheikh Abdullah to Nezwah with orders to make peaco between
Sheikh Badr-bin-Hilal and the Riyami faction.
43. Early in February the Sultan received information that Sheikh
Abdullah, who had been joined by Sheikh
Major 8addlcr to Colonel Wilton, No. 56-1., dated
18th Marfa 1895. Hamud AlJaliafi, had left Nezwah, and
8«er*t E., Jolj 1895, No*. 17f.-2T,3 (No. 220). that both Sheikhs were on their way to
Qulf Adminiitxation Report, lb94—96.
Maskat to visit and interview him regard-
jug the condition of that town. They arrived at Maskat, each with a small