'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.' [‎52] (85/612)

lii
introduction
to confer the Imamato on Hilal, " ho being the eldest and
most intelligent" of Ahmed's sons, but he was incapacitated
for the office owing to a cataract in his eyes, which deprived
him of sight. He went to Gnzerat in search of surgical
advice and died there, leaving his son -"Aly behind him in
'Oman. The electors then chose Said, Ahmed's second
son, to be Imam, and after his installation all the fortresses
were made over to him, with the exception of el-Hazm,
Nakhl, and Yabrin, which were still held by the el-Yaaru-
bah and the Benu-Ghafir. He made his next brother, Kais,
governor of Sohar, and one Muhammad-bin-Khalfan, be
longing to an influential family of the Al-Bu-Said, his
Wakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. or representative at Maskat. 1 He resided himself at
er-Ilastak, the inland capital.
The new Imam invaded the district of es-Sir and slew
many of the Benu-Ghafir,—that is the sum total of his re
corded exploits. His indolence and extortion soon made
him obnoxious to the people, who twice essayed to depose
him and to raise his brother Kais to the Imamate. Both
attempts having failed, his son Hamed determined to super
sede him, and by a course of the most consummate deceit
and treachery eventually succeeded in obtaining posses
sion of the fortresses at Maskat from Muhammad-bin-Khal-
fan, together with the general administration of the country,
which his father was induced to surrender into his hands.
The Seyyid Hamed, who took up his residence at Maskat,
was now the virtual ruler of 'Oman ; nevertheless, his father
1 Francklin touched at Maskat on his way from Bengal to Persia in
January, 1789, and was well received by this official, whom he styles
" Sheick Khulfaun, the Vakeel." The Imam, he says, lived in great
splendour at a place two days' journey inland. He mentions that several
" Gentoo" merchants resided at Maskat, for the convenience of trade;
also a broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. on behalf of the English East India Company, " but the
Government will not admit (though often urged to it) of any European
factory An East India Company trading post. being established." Pinkerton's Voyages and Travels, vol. ix.
p. 237.