'Report on Sur. By Major G. P. Murphy, I.A., Indian Political Department, Political Agent, Muscat' [‎86v] (6/20)

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22. Concerning this expedition Colonel Pelly, then Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in
the Gulf, wrote at the time (No. 202, dated 3rd November ISOO) : “ If Saiyid
Azan bin Khais should succeed in his present expedition in the south, he
would be likely to strengthen his authority so considerably as to be able to
keep a firmer grasp on Muscat territory than any other aspirant to power could.”
23. Sheikh Abdulla, however, managed to remain at liberty and thwart
the Mutawwa power in every possible way. This led Saiyid Azzan to
instigate the Bani Bu Hassan and the A1 Wahibah to wage war against
the Bani Bu Ali. A serious engagement took place at Lazzeh, in which
Abdulla defeated the two Hinawi tribes, and in revenge for this the Bani
Bu Hassan rose again, only to be defeated a second time at Sell A1 Masaddee.
24. In 1870, Saiyid Turki having requested the help of the Bani
Bu Ali, they joined him at Sur, and 200 of their number marched under
Sheikh Abdulla and Yusuf against Matrah, where they both took a leading
part in scaling the wall and in the engagement which resulted in the death
of Saiyid Azzan-bin-Khais, and subsequently restoring order and holding
the place till Saiyid Turki s arrival from Sur. In recognition of their
services Saiyid Turki granted the Amirs of the Bani Bu Ali exemption
from the payment of customs on the goods imported by them into Sur.
25. In 1874 the Bani Bu Ali had at length amicably adjusted an
internecine feud that had been going on amongst themselves for some time.
The number of slain on each side being equal, each party forgave the other,
and as regards wounded (about 70 in number), the blood money was
determined by Mahomedan Law.
26. In 1874 Bani Bu Ali of the Ja’afarah section, belonging to
Lashkharah, were responsible for the wrongful confinement and subsequent
release on ransom of subjects of the Rao of Cutch at Hellanujah Island.
Major Miles went to Lashkharah in H.M.S. Philomel, and as the surrender
of the actual offenders could not be obtained, a fine of $600 was imposed
and readily paid at Sur by Sheikh Abdulla bin Salim of the Bani Bu Ali,
acting on behalf of the Ja’afarah.’ :f
27. In 1881 the Bani Bu Ali attacked and defeated the Bani Bu Hassan
in their own quarter of Jawabi al Khwarah. This engagement was
described as the most sanguinary ever fought between Omani tribes, and
is said to have cost 157 killed on both sides.
28. In 1887 the Awlad Kassib kidnapped one Bania Merchant of Indian extraction. at Sur and had
severely beaten another. Sheikh Abdulla bin Salim of his own accord
restored the kidnapped Bania Merchant of Indian extraction. and imprisoned live of the Awlad Kassib.|
28a. In 1888-9 relations between the Bani Bu Ali and Jenebeh were
strained. In May 1889 hostilities broke out, which resulted in a tight
of some importance. Badr bin Saif, who went there to settle the dispute,
reported on return that the Bani bu Ali had agreed to allow the passage
of the creek at Sur to remain entirely in the hands of His Highness’s
officials, and to abide by the decision of the Sultan in all local matters.
29. In 1895 the Bani Bu Ali sent a detachment in support of Saiyid
Faisal when he was attacked at Muscat by Saleh bin Ali, but they made no
determined effort to expel the rebels and recover the capital for their
sovereign. In recognition of their services Saiyid Faisal granted the Amirs
of the Bani Bu Ali an allowance of $100 per mensem.
30. In the spring of 1903, the ordinary annual hostilities between the
Ghafiris and Hinawis of Sharqiyah being then in progress, Abdulla bin
Salim found reason to suspect that the people of Sur, though Ghafiris, were
supplying his enemies with the sinews ot war. He accordingly marched
down the coast and declared the harbour blockaded until his demands for
satisfaction were complied with. After Abdulla had returned to the
interior, relations between his supporters in the Aiqa quarter and his
opponents in Muqraimatain became so strained that when Major Cox (then
# For full details vide “ Narrative of ^Muscat Affairs,” 1874-5 Cric), para. 343.
t The Awlad Kassib were originally a Fakhth of the Jenebeh, but came under the
protection of the Bani Bu Ali.