‘Report on the administration of the Persian Gulf Political Agency and Muscat Political Agency for the year 1883-84.’ [‎45v] (30/166)

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ADMINISTRATION EEPOET OF THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. POLITICAL
a noteworthy character; for he was the founder of what may be ca led the Mezen. Dynasty
on the east coast, and his claim to be independent of the A1 Bu Sa eedis can hard y be said to
be relinquished by his descendants to this day. Mohammed was a just and able ruler, and
soon gained the respect of the people of Mombasa. Two years later a change of dynasty
occurred in 'Oman, the rule being transferred from the Yaareby tribe to the A1 Bu Sa eedis. This
opportunity was seized by Mohammed ; Othman to declare himself independent. To put down
this revolt against his authority the Imam, Ahmed-bin-Sa'eed, sent one Seyf-bin Khalaf,
to assassinate & Mohammed 'Othman and seize the government in Ahmed's name. Seyf was so
far successful that he murdered Mohammed and took possession of the fort, but Moham
med's brother, Ali-bin-'Othman, escaped from Seyfs hands, and, with the aid of Mr. Cook
an English merchant, and some native allies, recovered the fort and government, and decapitated
Seyf-bin-Khalaf. This occurred in the year 1745, and Ali-bin-'Othman maintained his inde
pendence till his death,—Magdesho, Brava, and Samoo remaining as his dependencies. Kilwa,
Marka, and Zanzibar, however, submitted to the Imam, and the latter island received its
first (iovernor, under the new dynasty, in Abdulla-bin-Jaad A1 Bu Sa'eedi.
A few years later, Ali-bin-'Othman undertook an expedition against Zanzibar, where he
was murdered by his relative, Mesood-bin-Nasir, who then usurped the government of
Mombasa. Mesood died in 1774, and was succeeded by Abdulla Mohammed, who died in
1782. Meanwhile, the Imam Ahmed did not interfere in East African politics, nor did his
son and successor Sa'eed, until the expedition of his younger brother Seyf in 1784, when the
Imam Sa'eed sent his son Hamad, with a fleet, to follow up Seyf and frustrate his intentions.
Hamud, after raising the siege of Zanzibar, went to Mombasa, where he obtained a written
acknowledgment of the suzerainty of the Imam, and then returned to 'Oman. East Africa
then remained unmolested by Muscat for many years; Sultan was too much engaged in
dealing with the Wahabees and with internal troubles to have leisure for distant campaigns,
and for some years Sa'eed was similarly occupied. Sa'eed's first attempt at interference was in
1812, when he sent a Wali named Khalaf-bin-Nasir, and built a fort at Lamoo. Ahmed-bin-
Mohammed died in 1814, and was succeeded by his son Abdulla, a brave and enterprising
Chief, who, resolving to separate from the mother-country, refused to send any tribute to Muscat.
Being conscious, however, that this course would inevitably lead to a contest^ Abdulla sailed to
Bombay, and endeavoured to secure the alliance of the Indian Government. Some time later,
in 1817, intestine broils at Patta, the suzerainty over which was claimed by the Wali of
Mombasa, compelled one of the parties to call in the aid of Sa'eed. A small force, under Abdul
Ali, was sent from Muscat, which established Bwana Shaikh as Sa'eed's vassal. The Wali of
Mombasa, however, soon recovered his predominating influence, and matters so remained until
fresh dissensions arose, when Sa'eed again was invited to interfere, and, burning with jealousy
against the Mezeri Chief, sent a second expedition in 1882, under Hamad-bin-Ahmed, who received
the submission of Brava, Patta, and Siwi, while Sa'eed's Wali at Zanzibar, hearing of Hamud's
proceedings, seconded him by attacking Pemba and expelling the Mombasa garrison. Abdulla-
bin-Ahmed died 1823, and, as the succession was disputed, the people elected Suliman-bin-Ali,
the ex-Wali of Pemba, to act as Regent temporarily. Sa'eed was at this time getting ready another
fleet at Muscat, and had issued orders that his people were not to trade with Mombasa—a
measure which, in connection with the recent loss of Pemba, the source of its food supply, did
much to weaken Suliman's position. Apprehensive of the result of a contest with Muscat,
tSuliman-bin-Ali had written to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , soliciting protection, but no
answer was received to this appeal. It appears, however, that in December 1823 the English
sloop Barracouta, one of the vessels engaged in the East African survey, anchored off
Mombasa. Her arrival was hailed with great delight, and earnest solicitations were made to
Captain \ idal by the Wali Suliman and the inhabitants to take the island under British pro
tection. This request Captain Vidal decided to refuse, but he offered to transmit their applica-
tion to the British Government. A few days after the Barracouta had left, the Muscat
flotilla sailed into port and immediately commenced the blockade. Suliman-bin-Ali hoisted the
British flag, trusting by it to deter Abdulla-bin-Suleyyim, the Commander of the expedition,
from his designs. Matters were in this state, and the flag was still hoisted when the Leven
ga ®. o Februar J' 1S21 ' A application was immediately made for
protection by the Wall to Captain Owen, who, taking a different view from that of his subordi-
nate, Captain Vidal, agreed to a convention accepting the sovereignty over Mombasa from
Mehndi to Pangam on the part of England on condition of the abolition of slavery. The
Arab Commander Abdnlla-bm-Suleyyim, at once placed himself under the orders of Captain
Owen and agreed to pve up the blockade. Captain Owen appointed one of his officers. Lieute
nant Iteitz, as Governor, with a midshipman An experienced sailor, but not a commissioned officer. and four men as guard, and sailed on the 13th