Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎204v] (413/1028)

ADMINISTRATION REPORT FOR 1934.
Part II.
1 . Biding Family.—{a) His Highness the Sultan, having spent nearly a
year-in Dhofar returned to Muscat on 15th February 1934 in S. S. “ British
Lcrd ”, which had been diverted to Salala for the purpose, by the courtesy of
the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
Saiyid Malik and the remainder of the Sultan’s entourage arrived back in
Muscat on 22nd February, having spent a tempestuous six weeks at sea in a
dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. .
His Highness, like his father before him, is greatly enamoured of Dhofar
and his main thought seems to be for the consolidation and improvement of that
province, where he is reported to have effected a marriage alliance between
himself and the daughter of one of the leading Qura mountain Sheikhs, Said
bin Ali al Ma-aishani.
After a sojourn of six weeks at his headquarters, the Sultan proceeded to
Sur for a general inspection of his administration there. Whilst His Highness
remained somewhat reticent as to what he had achieved during this visit, it
is believed not to have been attended with the eclat anticipated. His Highness
however is said to have introduced certain measures for tightening up the
Customs before returning to Muscat on 11th April.
In May His Highness essayed a protracted tour of the Batinah but indis
position compelled his return after a week. Saiyid Hamad bin Faisal, Wali of
Matrah was subsequently deputed to proceed to the Batinah to carry out
methods of assessment and collection of Zakat as directed by His Highness.
Saiyid Hamad returned to Muscat on 30th July having fulfilled his mission.
The Sultan paid a fortnight’s visit to Sohar in September and returned with
a large batch of miscellaneous prisoners including some minor refractory
Sheikhs.
On the 26th October His Highness, who had undoubtedly spent a most stren-
ous summer on the affairs of his State, embarked for India on a well earned holi
day. He anticipated returning in late February or March but has made no
public announcement to that effect.
( 6 ) Saiyid Nadir, the senior of His Highness’ uncles, who last year had
adopted an exceedingly uncompromising attitude regarding the reduction in his
allowances {vide Annual Report for 1933), sought the intervention of His
Excellency the Viceroy in the matter in April. His request being declined,
Saiyid Nadir, after a good deal of bluster eventually accepted his reduced salary,
arrears of which the Sultan generously paid him.
(c) The jealousy and bad feeling latent between various prominent members
of the Ruling Family became more evident in the absence of the Sultan’s con
trolling hand. These bickerings, which hitherto have fortunately not been
attended with serious consequences, have lowered the prestige of the Ruling
Family considerably. They were much enhanced by His Highness appoint
ing Saiyid Shahab to represent him during his absence in India. Certain in
terested persons find it considerably to their advantage to widen the breaoli
between the warring factions and the process of disintegration needs but the
withdrawal of certain restraining factors to become complete.
{d) As related above Saiyid Shahab bin Faisal was appointed to represent
the Sultan during the latter’s absence in India. Whilst he. ^^xceedingb
shrewd in affairs connected with the State, certain defects in his^character deip
Saiyid Shahab the prestige that his position would otherwise afford him and his
authority has been directly flouted by R. S. Duli Chand, the Director of Revenues,
on several occasions.
Financial Adviser .—On his return from Dhofar, His Highness abolished
post of Financial Adviser and announced his intention of taking over the con i^
of Finance personally. Though undoubtedly he has a considerable proneusin
for financial matters, His Highness’ ability to deal with the intricacies oi a unf ^
is somewhat limited, and the guiding brain in this department is without qu a
tiou the Director of Revenues.