تقارير إدارية من الخليج العربي ١٨٨٣/١٨٨٤ – ١٩٠٤/١٩٠٥ [و‎‎٤‎٩] (٦٠٢/١٠٢)

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RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1885-86. 21
PART I I.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY POR
THE YEAR 1885-86.
Political. —At the commencement of the official year, tranquillity reigned throughout the
country.
In April the Sultan's Waliof Zikki suffered a reverse at the hands of Hilal-bin-Zahir near
Fark, a fortlet in the possession of Hilal-bin-Zahir, the inhabitants of which place, it was said
proposed to hand over the fort to the Wali of Zikki, who had therefore marched to Fark to
take it over; but was engaged by Hilal, defeated, and forced to retire on Manh.
The district of Jaalan was also reported to be somewhat disturbed, and an attack was made
by the Beni-bu Hassan on Sineysileh near Sur, in which one 9f the Beni Sinan was killed.
In May, the fortress of Behla (Wali Nasir-bin-Hameid-el-Ghafri) was besieged by Sheik
Salim-bin Bedr-el-Ibu in conjunction with the Yaarabeh, but being too weak to take it, they
soon raised the siege.
In June, news was received that an insurrection had taken place at Dhofar, which was
confirmed in October by the Wali Ali-bin Suleiman together with the Arab garrison eominc to
Muscat; they having been expelled by the inhabitants of Dhofar, from whom, however, letters
were at the same time received, in which their friendship for, and allegiance to, His Highness
Sayid Turki was expressed, while stating that they had been unable to endure the oppression
of his Wali.
In July, it was rumoured that Sayid Abdul Aziz, the Sultan's brother, intended to attack
Muscat after the Ramazan fast was over, but he was unable to collect a sufficient force for the
purpose, and the intended movement collapsed. In the same month the Beni Hina were
attacked by the Awamir, with whom they were at feud, in the vicinity of Sib, and three of
their number killed; they retaliated by destroying some $20,000 worth of'date property
belonging to the Awamir at Khoth; upon which the Awamir, assisted by the Wali of Masnaa
Ali-bin-Salim A1 Amiri, and the Wali of Barka, Saud-bin Khanis-al-Amiri, again attacked the
Beni Hina, but were repulsed with a loss of 7 killed. On the news reaching Muscat, His
Highness Sayid Turki sent his son, Sayid Feysul, to Sib to enquire into the matter / but
before his arrival a truce for one year had been arranged by the Sheiks of Semael.
In August, Sayids Feysul and Fahd proceeded in the S. S. Bar es Salam to Sur to
endeavour to obtain payment of certain customs duty from the Jenebeh, but were unsuccessful.
In the same month, a party of Mokabil raided the district of Majaz near Sohar and lifted
some camels, but were promptly followed and reduced to submission by the Wali of Sohar
(Hamad-bin-Nasir).
In September, a serious collision occurred between the Beni Ghafir and Ibriyin in Wadi
Sahtani, in which 25 of the former and 45 of the latter were killed.
In November, a man was killed at Kuriyat by a party of Beni Battash,for which deed the
tribe agreed to pay blood-money. In this month a serious collision occurred in the Sharkiyeh
between the Mesakereh on the one side, and the Harth, Hijrieen Rejeybi and al Wahibah on
the other, in which 60 or 70 men were killed. Ali-bin-Salim al Amiri was despatched by His
Highness the Sultan to mediate between the parties, in which mission he was successful.
In December the Political Agent (Colonel Miles) made an interesting tour of 20 days
through Oman and the Dhahireh country, and was received everywhere with great courtesy
and cordiality.
In January 1886, His Highness Sayid Turki was informed that Her Majesty had been
graciously pleased to create him a K.G.C.S.I. In the same month an attempt was made to
assassinate the Minister, Sayid Said-bin-Muhammad, who was wounded in the jshoulder by
a pistol-bullet; the would be-assassin escaped, but several slaves were arrested on suspicion.
The occurrence was taken advantage of by Sayid Abdul Aziz to indite a letter to the Minister,
in which he endeavoured to seduce him from his allegiance to His Highness Sayid Turki.
In the same month the Khoja traders of Khabureh complained of oppression at the hands
of the Wali of Sohar; the matter was enquired into by the Political Agent and redress obtained.
. SlaV( : There were two seizures made during the year by Her Majesty's vessels
cruising in these waters, viz., Her Majesty's S. Osprey, one dhow with 72 slaves, seized off Has
Madraka; Her Majesty's S. Banger y a dhow with 2 slaves, captured off Sur; both of which
were condemned.
E. MOCKLER, Itient,-Colonel,
Beitish Political Agenct e ' poutiml and
and Consulate, Muscat;
The 28th June 1886.