'Annals of 'Omān' [‎39] (56/112)

Boole Fifth.
39
Khadhra. Seyf-bin Mohammed then proclaimed an amnesty, and was
joined by many of the towns-people.
When the news reached the Amir 'Omeyr at Nezwa that his men had
entered Bahla, he set out accompanied by the Amir Sultan-bin Mohammed,
and the Sultan Malik-bin Abul-'Arab, and el-Mansur 'Ali-bin Katan and
the people of Nezwa. Khalf-bin Abu-Sa'id el-Hinai also moved with his
followers from Darseyt to assist their comrades. They entered Bahla by
night, and the Amir 'Omeyr alighted in the el-Ghaf quarter, El-Khadhra
was held for the Sultan Suleiman by 'Ali-bin Thahal with a large force;
and the Amir sent word to them inviting them to evacuate the place with
their flags. 6 'Ali-bin Thahal went amongst his men exhorting them to
hold out, but they refused to obey him, and prepared to leave the place.
Meanwhile 'Arrar-bin Fellah Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. , who was at 'Eini of el-Kostak, hearing
of the enemy's entry of Bahla, immediately marched with his followers to
el-Kareyeh.
The siege of the Fort of Bahla continued, and it was surrounded by
the enemy. The besiegers constructed a wooden tower on a tamarind tree
in the market-place during the night. In this one of the el-Jahadhim,
named Jum'ah-bin Mohammed, esconced himself and shot one of the
garrison. Another such tower was built by the Amir on the mosque, and
its occupant also shot one of Suleiman's soldiers in the upper part of the
Fort.
The besiegers at length demolished the wall of the i ort during the
night. Suleiman's men, however, opposed them and prevented their entry.
Then the garrison, fearing to be slain, asked permission of Suleiman to
evacuate the place. Still they held out for thirteen days more, when, Suleiman,
having given permission, they asked the Amir Omeyr to allow them to maich
out. He allowed them to pass out with their personal effects, and sent
his Wazir Minister. to see them safe. Suleiman-bin Mudhaffar with his cousins and
followers went forth from Bahla, and proceeded to el-Kareyeh, whence he
and 'Arrar went to el-Dhahireh.
The Amir 'Omeyr then ordered the Fort of Bahla to be razed to the
ground, which was done, and not a wall nor a building was left standing.
Thus is manifested the power of God, who bestows kingdoms on whomsoever
He willeth.
'Omeyr then left Khalf-bin Abu-Sa'id in charge of Bahla and returned
to Semail. Khalf had been only four months in Bahla, when he was
attacked by Suleiman-bin Mudhaffar and his cousin 'Arrar-bin Fellah Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. , who
entered el-Khadhra whilst he was in el-'Akr. This occurred on the 4.th of
Eabi 'ul-Awwal, A. H. 1019 [A. D. 1610] ; and at that time Seyf-bin
Mohammed with some of his followers was in el-Sirr. Suleiman-bin
Mudhaffar sent to Khalf-bin Abu-Sa'id, and offered him the option of