"تقارير إدارية ١٩٠٥-١٩١٠" [و‎‎٤‎٧] (٦١٦/٩٨)

RESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1905-1906.
75
some years ago by the Sultan of Maskat to his friend Sheikh Maktoom of
Debai, the understanding being tbat tbe latter should receive the revenue due
from the village and in return should give the Biduwat what support and
protection they needed at sbort notice.
The Beni Kattab, it appears, in order to keep the road or the neighbouring
hills open for themselves attempted to build a tower at a spot called Jebail
commanding the caravan road, and to this both the JNaim Sheikh at Baraimi
and the Sheikh of Debai took exception, and endeavoured to put pressure on
the Heni Kattab to relinquish it. The people of Misfut however sided with the
Beni Kattab and the latter also gained the support of their new friend the
Sheikh of Umm-al-Kawain, while the Sheikh of Abu Thabi supported the
attitude of his fellow tribesman, the Sheikh of Debai. None of the Trucial
Sheikhs however seriously wanted to come to issue with their fellows over this
matter, and in September the Chiefs cf Shargah, Umm -al-Kawain and Ajman
rendezvoused with Sheikh Zaeed and Sheikh Maktoom at Debai and discussed
their differences.
Sheikh Zaeed who owing to his venerable age and reputation is the doyen
of the Trucial Chiefs and likes to play that role, endeavoured to persuade the
Sheikh of Umm-al-Kawain to refrain from allying himself with the Bedouins
and thereby making them inconveniently powerful, and Sheikh Rashid made
vague promises to respect his advice ; but nevertheless a few weeks later took
the two Chief Bedouin Sheikhs of the Beni Kattab with him to Ajman and
Shargah, and effected a mutual reconciliation doubtlessly, though not osten
sibly, with the idea of opposing Sheikh Zaeed's policy.
' If the latter had left matters alone for a few months all would probably
have gone well but his dignity was hurt at his failure to manage the Sheikh of
Umm-al-Kawain and the Beni Kattab, and he accordingly proceeded to pick
a quarrel with the latter in connection with a tribal dispute which they had
recently had with the inhabitants of the "Ealuch ,, villages of Mazum and
Subeyki, who, though living among and subject to the settled Beni Kattab
villages at Aflaj Beni Kattab in the Dhahireh, had rebelled against them on
account of oppression experienced and had obtained the support of Sheikh
Zaeed to their cause. The latter ultimately threatened to take the field against
the Beni Kattab tribe if they did not send their elders to Abu Thabi with a
view to a settlement of their quarrel by himself.
It is necessary to explain that these so-called "Baluchis" have been
where they are for many generations and have entirely lost touch with their
country of origin and the Baluch language, and at this time cannot be regarded
in any other light than as a specialised section of an Arab tribe.
This quarrel was at its height when the Resident travelled from Ras-al-
Khaima to Baraimi in December; in fact he met a deputation of the Baluchis,
with whom he had previously stayed at Mazum in 1902, on their way to see
Sheikh Zaeed, and took the opportunity to send a letter to the latter warning
him of the folly of taking action which would rouse all the bhann
Sheikhs against himself, just at the time when it was most important that
they should be united in order to show a common front to Bin Saood, should
he appear in Oman, as he threat ened to do
This homily had a good effect and Sheikh Zaeed eventually sought a
peaceful solution of his differences with the Beni Kattab and the Sheikh of
Umm -al-Kawain which was in a fair way of conclusion when the year
closed. The chief point worthy of notice was that Sheikh Rashid made it
clear that he did not intend to be dictated to by his venerable compeer and
indeed maintained such an independent attitude that the Sheikh of Adu
Thabi was ultimately obliged to make a compromise with him.
The second disturbing factor lay in the fear lest the Wahabi Chief Bin
Saood should make good his intention ot
Expected visit from Bin Saood. regaining the centres of influence which
his forbears had established on the Trucial Coast and in Oman in the
and seventies. In September 1905 the "Wahabi addressed letters to all the
Trucial Chiefs informing them of his arrival in Katr and of his successful
efforts in bringing about the reconciliation of the Al Morrah, Beni Hajir and