‘Report on the administration of the Persian Gulf Political Residency and Muscat Political Agency for 1886-87.’ [‎344v] (22/60)

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ADMINISTRATION EEPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. POLITICAL
Wazir Minister. , Seyyid Saeed-bin-Muhammad, and otKers from Seyyid Abdul Aziz^ who was then
at Hajar, demanding an interview with them under threat of destroying their date-groves at
that place. The S. S. Sultanee was at once despatched to Kuryat to bring the forces
collected there to Muscat, which having arrived on the following day, and being augmented
to a total to 700 men from Muscat and Muttrah they started at once for Ha jar; at Karahee
they were opposed by a small advanced party of Seyyid Abdul Aziz^s followers whom they
routed, but not following up their success sufficiently quickly, Seyyid Abdul Aziz made
good his escape to Semed, and the force returned the following day; this operation, though
not as successful as it might have been, was of value to the Sultan's prestige. Three days
later a force of some 1,2.00 men, which was subsequently augmented with 25 horses and one
gun, were sent by sea to Kuryat under command of Seyyid Bede-bin-Seif and the Sultan's
sons to coerce the Beni Battash. On the 23rd instant news was received that the force had
been opposed by the Beni Battash at Mizfah who had been routed with a loss of seven men.
The force subsequently destroyed the town of Mizfah and razed Mazara, the principal fort of
the Beni Battash, who tendered their submission and offered to pay a fine of $10,000. His
Highness Seyyid Toorkee sent a present of six horses to Her Majesty the Queen-Empress.
In November—The force sent against the Beni Battash returned bringing with them
the Shaikh Adi-bin-Nasir and six others, who were immediately on arrival imprisoned until
the fine should be paid ; they were subsequently released on payment of $4,000. A threatened
collision between the tribes of the Batineh and Dhahireh averted by the mediation of the
Howasineh and Abbu-Rashid.
In December—His Highness Seyyid Toorkee sent seventeen horses, a number of camels and
other presents to his brother, the Sultan of Zanzibar. Seyyid Muhammad-bin-Suleiman walad
Fana Al-bu-Saeedee deputed to Dhofar as Wali with him Seyyid Abdul Jalil-al-Zawawee and
seventy men. A disturbance occurred in the Jaalan between the Jenebeh and other tribes in
which three men were killed.
In January 1887—Two serious raids by the Awamir, Beni Kattab and other tribes of the
Dhahireh in the vicinity of Shinas and Sobar, in which they committed much depredations and
Caused some loss to British subjects, which was however subsequently made good by His Hio-h-
ness Seyyid Toorkee, Seyyid Hamad-bin-Hamad Wad Samar, appointed Wali of Sohar in pkce
of Seyyid Hamad-bin-Nasir recalled. Death of Seif-bin-Hamad Temimeh of the Jenebeh re-
ported to have occurred at Aden, and his son Nasir elected in his place. One of the murderers
of the Shaikh of Ras-al-Had was killed by relations of the Shaikh. Three of the Beni Hina
killed at Khoth by Siabiyeen.
t In February—Two men killed at Beeren, and a slave carried off by Beni Sheheyn. Death of
Muhammad-bin-Ali, Shaikh of the Naeen, reported. His Highness Seyyid Toorkee held a grand
Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). in honour of the Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen-Empress, at which a letter from His
Excellency the Viceroy of India to His Highness Seyyid Toorkee was read by the Political
Agent. A salute of 101 guns was fired from the forts, and at night the town was illuminated
and fireworks let off. S. S. Sultanee sent to Sohar with gunpowder and money, a raid by the
Bedouins being reported by the Wali as impending. Yaarab-bin-Kahtan, Wali of Shinas died,
and was succeeded by his son. Kahtan-bin-Yaarab Seyyid Suleiman-bin-Hamad appointed
Wali of Khabooreh. Letters received from new Wali of Dhofar that he had taken charge of
the district. &
In March—Shaikh Musalim-bin-Bedwi, former Wali of Sohar, imprisoned on arrival at
Muscat for having refused to deliver up the forts for three days. Party of the Beni Kattab on
their way to raid in vicinity of Sohar dispersed by the new Wali. A Persian Seyyid ran
amuck/' at Muttrah, and was shot by the Wahabi soldiers after he had killed two Baluch; a
Wahabi soldier had wounded the Wali's son. Beni-bu-Ali tribe in Jaalan reported to have
quarrelled amongst themselves. Shaikhs of the Beni-bu-Hassan from Jaalan came to Muscat
on a visit to His Highness Seyyid Toorkee.
Rear Admiral Sir F. Richards, Commander-in-Chief, Indian Station, visited Muscat in April
in H. M.'s S. Sphinx on his way up to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and called in again in May when're
turning. His Excellency also visited Muscat in H. M/s S. Bacchante in Novemhev on his way
from Aden to Bombay.
In April 1886—Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, on being appointed Acting Resident in the Per-
official changes. sian vice Colon el Ross, C.S.I., appointed Acting Resi
dent at Hyderabad, Deccan, made over charge of the Politi
cal Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. and Consulate at Muscat to Lieutenant-Colonel Mockler, and resumed charge in
November of the same year. &