"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٥‎١‎٩] (١٧٨٢/٦٦٢)

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repelling unprovoked aggression during his lifetime, but that as their
normal policy towards 'Oman was one of non-interference in dynastic strug
gles and internal administration, their active support would not necessarily
be continued to his children. This decision was announced at a public
Darbar held in the palace at Masqat on the 13th of July 1886 ; the
principal object of the Darbar, as such, was however the presentation
toTurki of the insignia of the G.C.S.I., which had been conferred on
him. 'Abdul 'Aziz had been invited to attend, but had declined
to come in unless the safe-conduct given him by the Sultan were
guaranteed by the British Political Agent,—a condition which could not be
granted. The Secretary of State, when informed of the assurance
respecting British support, regarded it with some misgiving and directed
a condition to be attached, namely that the s upport promised would be
continued only so long as His Highness should conduct his administration
in a manner not unsatisfactory to the Government of India. The
results of the announcement however justified the anticipations of Colonel
Ross, for no serious effort was again made by rebels to overthiow
Turki's government ; and its effect appeared also in the readiness
with, which Ibrahim-bin-Qais restored Suwaiq to the Sultan in 1 ^87,
as already described, when called upon to do so by the British
authorities.
It may be added here that, under British advice, larki in 1886
declined overtures from residents of Dibah, Khor Fakkan and
Kalba for the annexation of the Shamailiyah tract to the Oman
Sultanate. ,
f Protection
The protection of British subjects in 'Oman and reparation tor of British
minor injuries sustained by them at the hands of unruly tribesmen
continued to be subjects demanding constant attention. In 1883 the 1883 88.
British S. S. " Knight of the Bath " was wrecked on the Kuna Muna
islands; but the crew, having made their way to an Aiab village
near Has Sauqirah, remained there in safety until relieved by
a vessel which was despatched from Bombay on the facts being-
reported at Masqat. In spring 1884 the safety of the Indian tia er-
at Saham was threatened by Bedouin incursions from Dha ira , an
the Political Agent suggested, and obtained, an increase of the Su ta
garrison at that place. At the beginning of 1886 raids were ma e
in the neighbourhood of Sohar and bhinas by the Bam ,
; Awamir and other predatory tribes, and H.M.S. Ospiey wa ®
to Shinas ; but the compensation for incidental damage to
traders, chiefly through exaction of blackmail, was paid by t ^
In January 1886 the Khojah merchants at Khaburah, who were