'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎438] (480/733)

438 WAHABEES.
Imanm from his so doing. (The policy which the British Government
determined to observe towards the Wahabees is detailed at greater
length under the head of u Joasmees," 1825.)
From 1824 to 1830 the proceedings of this sect appear to have been
a. d. 1824 to 1830. confined ^ carrying on hostilities against the
Beni Khalid family, under Shaikh Mahomed and
Shaikh Majid, of the A1 Arrasen Tribe. The capital of the dominions
of these chiefs was called Lahsa, and they also possessed the seaport of
Kateef, upon the mainland, opposite to Bahrein. In this warfare neither
party gained any decisive advantage until the beginning of 1830, when
the Beni Khalid Shaikh advanced with a large army into Nujd. Upon
receiving intelligence of this movement, Fysul, the son of Toorkey bin
Saood, the Wahabee Chief, marched with a considerable force from
Eiaz to meet them. Unfortunately for the cause of the Beni Khalid,
Shaikh Majid, the only leader of any talent they possessed, was sud
denly taken ill, and died shortly afterwards. Shaikh Mahomed, the
remaining brother, conscious, apparently, of his own incapacity to
command in the field, readily gave his consent to the nomination of his
nephew, Bargheshee, as the successor of the deceased chief. The new
leader did not immediately commence operations, but after a short time
advanced in such a manner as to compel the Wahabee army to fall
back. Encouraged by his first attempt, he followed them closely, but,
unfortunately, leit his original post (a place called Duberah, from
whence he drew his supplies of water) unprotected. This improvidence
being reported to Shaikh Toorkey bin Saood, he left Riaz on the night
of the 23rd March 1830, with a force consisting of 1,200 horse and foot,
and keeping to the left, he succeeded in turning the flank of the enemy,
and getting possession of Duberah, thus cutting off the Beni Khalid
from their water, and placing them between his son's army and his own.
In this situation they remained for one day, but the next morning a
simultaneous attack being made upon them, both in front and rear, by
the two Wahabee Chiefs, they were entirely defeated, and the rout was
so complete that the whole of the horses, camels, and cattle of the
Beni Khalid Shaikhs, together with all the tents, baggage, women, and
children fell into the hands of the victors. It was currently reported and
believed at that time that 100,000 camels, and nearly a million head of
cattle, were among the fruits of this victory. Shaikh Mahomed fled
with a few horsemen to Lahsa, where he was soon afterwards joined by
Bargheshee. The success of the Wahabee Chief was however so de
cisive that the greater portion of the Bedouins of the Beni Khalid Tribe
made their peace with the victor by a timely submission. Shortly
afterwards. Shaikh Toorkey moved upon Lahsa, which fell into his
hands without resistance, and a party having been sent on to Kateef,
that place immediately surrendered. Having thus succeeded in expel-