"سجلات تاريخ عُمان" [‎٥‎٥] (١١٢/٧٢)

Hooic Sixth.
55
whilst evil and wrong-doing hid their heads. Justice was extended to all
the people of'Oman, whether " Bedu" or "Hadhr." There remained only
the party of Christians, who held out within the walls of Maskat, and these
had suffered from war to such an extent that they had become weak, and
their power was falling to decay. Their allies were dispersed, and death
and slaughter had well nigh done their work on the majority of them.
Then God decreed that the Imam should die, and this event occurred
on Friday ten days before the end of EaM 4 ul-Akhir, A. H. 1050 [A. D.
1640], 19 his reign having lasted twenty-six years. All the just were content
with, nay devoted to him. He was buried at Nezwa, where his tomb is
well known.
The Ima'm Sulta'jt-bt^ Setp . On the same day on which the Imam.
Nasir-bin Murshid-bin Malik expired, the Musalmans elected his cousin
the Imam Sultan-bin Seyf-bin Malik. This Prince ruled justly, and was
active and diligent in the service of God, failing in no respect. He waged
war on the Christians, who still remained in Maskat, and personally con
ducted the operations against them until God gave him the victory over
them and he took the place. 20 He continued afterwards to carry on Weir
against them by land and sea wherever he found them, and succeeded in
taking many of their towns and ships, and enriched himself with much
booty taken from them. It is said that he built the fort which is at Nezwa
entirely from the spoil of Sirr, and it took him twelve years to complete
the work. He also constructed the aqueduct of el-Birkeh, which is between
Izki and Nezwa, but nearer to the former place. It is probable that strict
ures were passed on him as regards his Imamship on account of his engag
ing in commerce, as he had agents who were known to trade on his account.
In his time there were many learned men in'Oman. Wealth also increased,
and the country was prosperous and brilliant, the people gratefully enjoy
ing tranquillity. The harvests were abundant and prices low. He was
affable to his subjects and liked by all. He used to walk out without a
guard and sit and converse with the people. He would salute all, great or
little, slave or free. Thus he continued assiduously to administer the Go
vernment until his death, which occurred on Friday morning, the 16th
of Thul-Ka'deh, A. H. 1090 [4th October, 1680.] His body was interred
where the Imam Nasir-bin Murshid had been buried.
The Ima'm Bel'aeab-bin Sulta'jst . They then elected his son Bel'arab-
bin Sultan-bin Seyf-bin Malik. This prince was generous and beneficent,
and the people ceased not to be grateful to him and to extol his virtue.
He removed from Nezwa to Yabrm, which he made a flourishing place and
where he built a fort. But strife broke out between the Imam and his
brother Seyf, and in the course of their contention many of the people of
'Oman, learned men, elders, and pious persons, suffered great troubles. Many