Page 53 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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Maskat at the end of February, whoro he was received with groat honour by
the Sultan who attached much importance to the town of Nezwali, and thinks
that its possession will bo of considerable political importance to him. The
garrison now holding the town on behalf of tho Sultan is said to number about
thirty men.
165. In tho month of December 1895 reports were received that Sayyed
Saood bin Azzan was making preparations to attack the town of Sohar in the
Batineh. Saood had collected a considerable force from amongst the Yal Saad,
Mawasinch, Beni Saced, Makabil and Beni Naim tribes. Tho Sultan seeing tho
necessity for prompt notion, despatched a force of 120 men under the command
of Sheikh Hamud bin Nasir, in a steamer which happened to be in tho harbour
at tho time. Tho arrival of these reinforcements enabled tho Wali to repulse
tho attempt of Saood to soizo tho town, and Saood was forced to retire. Saood
on retiring made a feint at Khabooreh, but hero he was also unsuccessful; he
thereupon retired and joined Saleh bin Ali and no further trouble was experienced
from him during the year under report.
166. Since the imposition of the punitive tax upon the Hinawi in August
1895, Sheikh Saloh-bin-Ali al Harthi
Administration Report, 1806*97.
had used his best endeavours to turn this
circumstance to account. In May 1896, Saleh found his opportunity. The
Sultan, partly with a view to carrying out the wishes of the Government of
India in regard to the completion of the indemnity to British subjects for
losses incurred, within the period fixed, and which he considered impossible
upon the basis originally decided upon, and also partly with a view to reple*
nishing his empty exchequer, decided to impose a tax upon the produoe of
the Ghadris as well as upon that already imposed upon the rebel Hinawi.
167. Saleh at once seized the opportunity thus offered him and effected a
coalition between tho Beni Ruaheh (Hinawi) and a portion of the Beni Jabir
(Ghafiri), and proceeded to attack Scja which was held by the Beni Hadram
and by such of the Jabir as remained faithful to His Highness the Sultan.
Saleh himself, though upwards of 75 years of age, assumed command of the
allied tribes. During ono of tho petty skirmishos that ensured, a stray bullet
deprived the rebels of their leader, and ended the life of the bitterest and the
most able opponent of the ruling house. Had the Sultan at once seized the
opportunity the death of this famous leader gave him, and attacked tho rebels,
there seems to bo no doubt but that he would have been successsful. Saleh
was killed early in September, and it was not until late in October that the
Sultan with a force of about 7,000 men left for the interior. As soon as the
Sultan heard of the opposition that would be raised against the increase in
taxation, he cancelled the orders imposing a tax upon the produce of the
Ghafiris, and he thus was able to detach the Beni Jabir from the coalition
consisting principally of the Beni Ruaheh. The long delay that took place
prior, to a start enabled tho Beni Ruaheh to overcome their first panic at the
loss of their leader, and they were accordingly in a position to oppose the
Sultan’s advance. The difference between the opposing forces was that the
Beni Ruaheh were fighting for their homes, whereas the Sultan’s troops were
mercenaries, who like most Omani Arabs show extreme valour so long as they
receive their pay and are not within striking distance of the enemy. As a
natural result of relying only upon such troops, the Sultan at the critical
moment was deserted by most of the Sheikhs who had, though really friendly to
the enemy, professed allegiance to His Highness, and he returned to Maskat,
without having accomplished anything beyond the expenditure of about
$60,000.
168. Owing to a dispute between two factions in Nakhl, there appeared to be
fears of an outbreak in that district in the month of June. The Sultan accom-
panied by a few hundred men proceeded to the place and was able to restore
order without further trouble.
169. In May 1897 rumours were ourrent of unrest amongst the Beni Ruwa-
heh and Beni Jabir fomented by Sheikh Rashid, the Sultan’s Wali at Semail
who, for purposes of his own, was endeavouring to set these tribes against one
another. Quiet was, however, restored.
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