"تقرير إداري للمقيمية السياسية في الخليج العربي والوكالة السياسية في مسقط عن الفترة ١٨٨٨-١٨٨٩." [و‎‎٥‎٨] (٦٠/٢٤)

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOB, 1888-89.
23
PAET II.—ANNUAL REPORT OP THE MUSCAT POLITICAL
AGENCY AND CONSULATE POR THE TEAR 1888-89.
Political.—M. the commencement of the official year there were slight
internal disturbances in' Oman.
In April an affray took place between the Hikman and Yal Bede tribes
near Barkab, regarding an old boundary dispute, in wliich six lives were lost.
Peace was speedily restored between the two tribes by a deputation sent from
Muscat by His Highness the Sultan.
A demonstration was also made by Shaikh Hilal-bin-Zahir at the head of
500 men against Manh, but the fort being well-guarded, the expedition failed,
and Shaikh Hilal returned to Nezwa without having attained any political
object.
Reports from Sohar stated that the Shahook and the Nakbieen tribes,
whilst on their way to attack the forts of Dibba and Kore Fakkan, were oppos
ed by the Sharkieen and Sultan-bin-Muhammad, the encounter resulting in the
death of 13 men of the Sharkieen. No action was taken by the Sultan in
regard to the above quarrel.
In May, His Highness Seyyid Turki took an important step in the dis
missal of his Minister Sayyid Sa'eed-bin-Muhammad, being convinced that his
long-continued ill-health was due to sorcery practised by his Wazir, although
assured by Dr. Jayakar that his disease was iu no way connected with that art.
Attempts at a reconciliation failed, and finally Seyyid Sa'eed, who stated
that he went in fear of his life from the Sultan, was ordered to quit the neigh
bourhood and left in a native boat for the island of Kishm.
It appears that the dismissal of his minister was owing to no sudden change
in the Sultan's feelings towards him. Dislike and distrust had been growing
in Seyyid Turki's mind for some years past.
Matters were in this position at the death of His Highness Seyyid Turki,
which occurred on 4ith June 1888. Dr. Jayakar, who was then in charge of
the Agency, reported as follows :—
« The late Sultan had been suffering from chyluria for many years, aod although for a
long time the disease was in abeyance, the last relapse of the disease, which proved to be a
serious and a continuous one, came on about a year ago. He never recovered from this attack,
and about the end of April, owing to the great weakness caused by the disease, he had to take
to his bed. On 15th May, owing to repeated attacks of syncope and palpitation, he was in
such a critical state that I bad to telegraph to you.* After
your departure from Muscat on 23rd May he seemed to
improve a little, but the improvement was only of a temporary nature and the weakness con
tinued to increase, although almost to the last moment he was able to conduct the affairs of
the State. Besides this. His Highness suffered from other chronic diseases, and his health
therefore had been in a precarious state for several years/'
The death of Seyyid Turki was fortunately not followed by disturbances of
any kind in Muscat, although it was considered advisable to take precautionary
measures with regard to British subjects owing to the possibility of an out
break.
The position of Sultan was forthwith assumed by Seyyid Feysal, the second
son of Seyyid Turki, who wrote to the officiating Political Agent, desiring a
continuance of the friendly relations which existed between the British G-overn-
ment and his father, and praying for their protection and favour. Seyyid Fey-