'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.' [‎119] (152/612)

AND ANALYSIS.
cxix
one degree beyond that of Salim's uncle, the Seyyid Turky;
hence, as far as the popular attachment to the Al-Bil-Said
goes, 'Azzan is as eligible to the sovereignty as either of his
rivals, and has unquestionably exhibited far greater political
acumen and military prowess—a combination of qualities
indispensable for maintaining anything like order among the
turbulent tribes oPOman. His success hitherto against the
Wahhabis, though undoubtedly facilitated by the feud exist-,
ing between the Amir of Nejd and his brother, Suud, gives
him a strong claim to the gratitude of his countrymen, who
for the last sixty years have been placed under heavy contri
butions by those fanatics, besides living in constant dread of
their aggressions. In other respects, also/Azzan has favour
ably disappointed the anticipations formed of him at the first
flush of conquest. At that time he appears to have acted
in concert with an extreme religious faction—a comparatively
recent growth in 'Oman—alluded to at p. 217, as the Muta-
wahhibm, or abettors of Wahhabeeism. That such was the
character of these enthusiasts is evident from the fact that a
class of propagandists, called Mutdwa ah by the Wahhabis,
(see p. 247), existed among them, and also from the inter
dict which was placed upon the sale and use of tobacco, the
former an institution unknown to the religious system of the
Ibadhiyah, and the latter a commerce and luxury not for
bidden by its precepts. But 'Azzan, having made trial of his
strength and found that he could dispense with such sinister
colleagues, has recently adopted a more tolerant policy, intro
duced many improvements in the internal administration, and
manifested a sincere desire to maintain friendly relations with
foreigners, more especially with the British Government. The
standing menace, however, to durable tranquillity in ^Oman,
under the best of rulers, is the existence of so many Seyyids,
or Princes of the reigning dynasty, who, believing themselves
to be invested by birth with equal rights to the sovereignty,
may be expected to take advantage of every opportunity to