'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎506] (548/733)

506
BOO FELASA.
Soweynee, and eventually, when His Highness arrived, and commenced
operations against the Sohar Chief, he afforded him active support
and remained in union until the spring of the succeeding year, when
while on his way from Muskat to the island of Kishm, he was seized
with an attack of small-pox, which carried him off" before he reached
the end of his journey.
There was much of good in Shaikh Muktoom : he was a chief of
undoubted bravery and ability ; he was also, so far as we are able to
judge, as much esteemed and beloved by the people of his tribe as any
one of the maritime chiefs; and, as regards the fulfilment of engage
ments with the British Government, T cannot do better, I think, than
quote the opinion expressed by Captain Kemball in one of his letters to
Government regarding him
" Shaikh Muktoom," he tells us, " though manifesting on his first
establishment at Debaye a refractory spirit, which led to the adoption
of coercive measures towards him, had at least for the past ten years
been distinguished among the chiefs of the coast for the general observ-
ance of his engagements, and apprehending clearly the policy of the
British Government as conducive to the advancement and prosperity of
the Arab States, for the earnestness of his endeavours in support of its
arrangements to preserve the maritime tranquillity of the Gulf."
Shaikh Muktoom was succeeded by his brother Shaikh Syud bin
Butye in the Chiefship.
^ Shortly after assuming the reins of government. Shaikh Syud bin
Butye (on the 2nd October 1852) repaired to Muskat, on a visit to His
Highness Syud Saeed. His departure at so early a season, before he
was firmly seated in his new position, was scarcely prudent or wise;
for he must have been well aware that there were aspirants to the chief-
k . ip he held, eagcily seeking an opportunity to take to themselves
w at t icy looked upon as their hereditary right. We find, accordingly,
tiat ^ud bin Lut^ye had barely left his seat ere " the sons of the late
uktoora, by name Soheil and Husher, with their maternal uncle Majid
in u mooj, and some of the A1 Boo Felasa, surprised the fort of
f . a \ e ' w ^ ose garrison acted treacherously and had an understanding
wi t em, and they took the fort, seizing the guardian appointed by
m i + 111 ut ^ e ' ^ name Syud bin Rashid, the maternal uncle of
u ,oora, who was asleep, and whom they placed in confinement, toge-
ther wuh another person, named Khaleefa bin Saeed." Syud bin
* * not lema i n i n captivity long; he was set at liberty, and
tho f 6 ^ assilme ^e title of chief, but not to resume command of
^ ^ continued in the hands of Soheil and Husher. By no
self i? nt t T^! 1 • t ^ e meie nom i na l power that thus reverted to him-
^ 5 y in Rashid resolved to resort to treachery for the purpose of