'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎14] (33/204)

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Ahmed out of Wakrah. The Bahrein Chief accepted the apology, and
swearing to keep peace with the Katar people, invited one Jasim bin
Mahomed to enter into a new agreement for the conduct of affairs
on the coast. Jasim accordingly went to Bahrein, but no^ sooner did he
arrive, than he 'was seized and cast into prison. The Chief then sent a
force of 500 men in 24 boats, under the command of his brother, Sheikh
Ali bin Khalifa, together with a land force of 200 men, under Sheikh
Ahmed. On their way to the coast, his fleet fell in with some 40 ot the
Katar boats and captured them. At the same time he solicited assistance
from the Chiefs of Debay and Abuthabi. The former declined compliance,
but the latter, despite the warnings of the British Agent, responded to the
call, and sent a force of about 2,000 armed men in 70 boats. On seeing
the'Abuthabi fleet, the Katar people became greatly alarmed, and despatched a
messenger to beg fo* mercy and protection. They were re-assured, and were
lulled into unsuspiciousness, till the Bahrein fleet also arrived. The combined
fleets then blockaded the coast, and sacked the towns of Wakrah, Bidaa,
Doho, and Dowha. The total value of the property plundered and destroyed
was estimated at over i 1 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of Krans.*
• ^50,000. rpj_ ie pjn a g e was commenced by Bahrein and
Abuthabi acting in concert, continued by the former separately, and concluded
by the latter, whose forces robbed the people even of the rafters and do(5rs
of the houses. After the towns had been
JeT;d S T»i e y'S8 G0 '' ernn,e " t ' BOmba^, IS5 ' sacked, the inhabitants were ordered to
(vide letter from Captain Way, No. 89, dated embark and leave. No sooner did they
12th May.) • ^ so ^ t | ian t | le y were ari( ] stripped
of what little property had escaped the general pillage. Eventually the great
bulk of the inhabitants of the Katar coast were scattered, some being
deported, and others having taken refuge in other ports along the Arabian
and Persian Coasts.
46. As the Wahabi Amir had some pretensions to suzerainty over Katar, the
plundered inhabitants sued to him. ' He took up their cause and threatened
the Chief of Bahrein with hostilities if the booty were not returned, and the
inhabitants restored to their homes. TUe Amir is said to have said that,
" as his intentions and those of the British Government coincided, no further
harm should again happen to the people from seaward."
The Chief of Bahrein braved the wrath of the Wahabi by confiscating
property that had hitherto been spared, and deporting afresh certain families who
had been allowed to return to their homes.
47. The Wahabi Lieutenant was, consequently, directed to make pre
parations for an attack on Bahrein, and it was (23rd April) reported that
a coast tribe, owing fealty to Nejd, had already attacked and plundered some
Bahrein subjects.
48. In June 1868 the Katar tribes, finding that they had got no redress.
From Secietaryto Government, Bombay, No. took the law into their OWU hands and
139, dated7th July. retaliated on Bahrein. A sea fight ensued,
in which some 60 craft are reported to have been destroyed, and upwards of
1,000 lives lost.
49. As soon as intelligence of the aggression committed by the Chiefs
From Secretary to Government, Bomb.y, No. 13, o f Bahrein and Abuthabi reached Colonei
dated 17th January 1868. Felly, that officer reported .the matter
Proceedings 1 ebruary 1868, Nos. 137-38. Bombay Government, suggesting
the advisability of taking serious notice of it. He observed that the
only vessel available for service in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. was the Hugh Rose,
a gun-boat manned by a Native crew, not able to steam more than eight hours
consecutively. He also solicited authority to inform the Abuthabi Chief that
this flagrant infraction of the maritime truce on his part would not
pass unnoticed. The Bahrein Chief might. Colonel Pelly anticipated, plead
that the Katar people were his subjects, but even then he was restricted by the
terms of the maritime truce from hostile action by sea ; and as for the Abuthabi
Chief, no such excuse could be preferred for his conduct.
50. On the 17th January 1868, the Bombay Government called upon
Colonel Pelly to report the steps taken
From Bombay, No. 13, dated 17th January 1868. by him to mark the displeasure of the
Proceedings, February 1868, Nos. 137-38. r) v 1 . 1 rr t 1
British Government at the offending conduct
of the offending Chiefs. They had also authorized him to address the Chief of