'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎176] (218/733)

MUSKAT.
Syud Gheif, of Sohar, who succeeded in seizing the forts of Kabara ami
heher they were reduced to the necessity of entrusting the management
0 a a.rs to Syud Beder, their cousin, who, being assisted by the
Wahabees, succeeded in repulsing Syud Gheif.
45. Syud Beder was a man of ability and enterprise and ^ v
connection with or dependence on the Wahabees is also materiall' 8
connected with these inquiries, it may not be improper briefly to advert
to the cncumstances which gave rise to that connection
46. In 1803, Syud Beder, availing himself of the opportunity of the
ate Imaums absence on a pilgrimage to Mecca, made an attempt to
seize e ort o 1 uskat; hut failing in that project, he fled to Zobara
and sough the protection of the Wahabce Chief, who ordered the Arab
Tribes bordering on Oman to assist Syud Beder in his ambitious views
on that country. views
47 With the aid thus afforded, Syud Beder twice invaded Oman
bu being repulsed, fled to Deriah. At the period of the death of Syud
Sultan Bcdcr was at Zobara, where a force was collecting to assist
him. On hearing of that event, he set ont, accompanied only by a few
01 owers, for Ras-ooUKhyma, where he was in danger of being cut off-'
but effecting his escape in a flshing-boat, he reached Oman just at the
ime that his uncle Syud Ghetf was besieging Muttra, and refusing to
negotiate with the late Imaum's children upon any terms short of the
surrender of all the forts into his possession.
48. In this conjuncture, the sons of the late Imaum resolved to
wiTthc w a hT raent of f" 1 ' 8 to s - vnd Bedcr ' who ' "y his influen «
w.th the Wahabees caused a diversion to be made by the troops of
chief towards Sohar, which obliged Syud Gheif to retire, for the
purpose of defending his own territory; an army of 4,000 Wahabees
having subsequently approached by sea, and a maritime force of fifteen
vessels, for the purpose of establishing Beder in the government, and
cMldreT 1 "® SyUd Gheif had USUrped fr0m ,he late Im ^ ra ' s
49. The Wahabee Chief, however, apprehending that the successful
accomplishment of these measures would render Syud Beder indepen-
dent of him, withdrew his aid, and at the same time required the rival
chiefs to await his decision. The policy of Saood seemed to be to
Mu m | i 1 If' ,e h t'h COmpetit0rs es tablishing an ascendancy at
Mu»kat, but, by allowing them to exhaust their strength in hostile
e orts against each other, to ensure the more effectually their falling
an easy prey, in due season, to himself. S
50. Syud Beder at length concluded a peace with Syud Gheif by
Bu e n rrbb o a S M f u " r :; ancl proceeded wi,h a iand and -'w 41^
S, or the purpose of recovering it out of the hands of