'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎451] (493/733)

WAHABEE3.
451
fortunate, as the Maritime Arabian Chiefs, although outwardly profess
ing their determination to maintain their own independence, were
known to be secretly carrying on intrigues and correspondence with
him, and as the irregular proceedings of the Brymee Chiefs, in foraying
the districts of Syud Humood bin Azan of Sohar, must have greatly
diminished, if not altogether destroyed, the prospect of any co-operation
on the part of the latter in the event of an attack upon Nujd.
A very short time sufficed to show how little able was the titular
chief, when deprived of the support of his Egyptian allies, to maintain
even his own position.
Abdoolla bin Sooneyan, the son of Mahomed, the younger brother of
Saood, father of Khalid, entertaining pretensions to the sovereignty of
Nujd, and finding himself suspected by Khalid, had fled to Koweit,
where he remained some time, secretly supported by Toorkey Heezanee,
a Chief of Khurij. He returned in September of this year, and took
possession of Zoomah, where, under certain pretences, he seized and
executed an inhabitant named Zaghur, confiscating his property, to the
amount of 8,000 dollars. He then took successively Syah and Mun-
foohad (one or two marches from iliaz), in which latter place, by the
execution of a wealthy inhabitant, he secured his property, amounting
to 4,000 dollars. With these means at his disposal, he satisfied the
immediate wants of his followers, said to consist of one thousand men •
besides which the tribes of Graymigah, Soohool, and Toorkey Ahranee,'
well disposed towards him. could furnish fifteen hundred more'
Three other tribes, the Ali Moorah, Ejman, and Soobaya, numbering
about three thousand men, although said to have openly promised their
support to his opponent, would, it was supposed, either remain neutral
in the approaching conflict, or side with Abdoolla.
In December 1841 he threatened Riaz, the major part of who^e
inhabitants were said to be in his favour. Khalid was represented as
having in his service about eight hundred Egyptian troops, one half
cavalry the other infantry, mostly irregular, indifferently armed and
mounted, and somewhat discontented, in consequence of not receivino-
their arrears of pay, now due for a whole year. These were looked on
with much jeabusy and disfavour by the Arab Chieftains, who, when
Khalid was left m authority over Nujd, had expressed their dislike to
tie strangers, and stipulated for their dismissal, in return for their own
friendship and support,— a measure to which he at the time acceded
but its execution he had been led to defer, in consequence of the
revolt of Abdoolla bin Sooneyan. In addition to the Egyptian troops
ie could too, it was reported, depend on the assistance of three thousand
men from the Anisa, Muhtari, and Beni Hajir tribes. There was no
1 Cr ^ 011 cltllcr slde J unless a few honey-combed and badly mounted