'History of the imâms and seyyids of 'Omân by Salîl-ibn-Razîk, from A.D. 661-1856; translated from the original Arabic, and edited with notes, appendices, and an introduction, continuing the history down to 1870, by George Percy Badger, F.R.G.S., late chaplain in the Presidency of Bombay.' [‎23] (56/612)

and analysis.
XX111
and also by tlie Portuguese, eacli liaving a separate fort and
garrison there.
Nasir's energy and perseverance, backed by his own tribe
and seconded by the people generally, who were anxious to
rid themselves of the tyranny of their petty Maliks, soon
placed him in possession of all the inland towns and posts.
He met with some opposition at eVAkr, of Nezwa, from the
Benu-Abi-Said 1 and also from the Benu-Hinay; but his
more formidable antagonists were the Benu-Hilal, of ezh-
Zhahirah, headed by one Nasir-bin-Katan, whose head
quarters were at el-Hasa, (see note 1, p. 70,) and who en
tered into an alliance against the Imam with the Benu-
Hinay.
Nasir^s successes indirectly brought him into antagonism
with the Portuguese, who very naturally regarded his grow
ing popularity with disfavour, if not with alarm. They held
the defences at the principal stations on the coast with
strong garrisons, 2 but the lesser ports were left in the
hands of the inhabitants, subject to an annual tribute. Be
yond a general supervision they appear to have allowed the
native local authorities to administer their own laws, and,
strange to say, we read of no efforts on the part of the Por
tuguese clergy to make proselytes to Christianity in these
parts. Their policy was undoubtedly most conciliatory, but
surrounded as they were by inimical tribes they were obliged
to have recourse to a precarious and hazardous strategy.
Divide et Imp era was the course which their isolated position
almost forced upon them, and, while they had only petty
rival chiefs to deal with, their influence sufficed to maintain
the balance of power in their own favour. But a more for
midable competitor now appeared on the scene, and as
against him their ordinary tactics precipitated their com
plete overthi'ow.
1 Probably the same tribe as that of the existing dynasty, the Al-Bu-
Sa'id, which succeeded the el-Ya'arubah,
2 At Sur, Karyat, Maskat, el-Matrah, and Sohar on the eastern coast.