"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٨‎٩‎٢] (١٧٨٢/١٠٤٧)

892
ClaimB of the
Wahhabi
Amir to
Bahrain,
1866-67.
Plunder of
the Qatar
coast by the
Shaikhs of
Bahrain
and Abu
Dhabi, and
retaliation
by the
inhabitants
of Qatar upon
Bahrain,
1867-68.
At the time of Colonel Felly^ visit to Bahrain in December 1H65,
a rupture of Anglo-Wahhilbi relations being then imminent, reason
was found to suspect the existence of an understanding between the
Shaikh of Bahrain and the Wahhabisj and the seizure of the " Dinar ^
was dictated, in part, by the expediency of clipping the wings of the
Shaikh in case he should suddenly resolve to throw in his lot with the
Amir. The Shaikh, it is true, in making his submission, professed a wish
to be delivered from the power of the Wahhabis ; but his request was
considered by the Resident to be insincere. Colonel Pelly was accord
ingly instructed to report on the political position of Bahrain with
reference to the Wahhabi power.
The result of his enquiries was to show that the Shaikh held
himself to be independent of the Wahhabis in so far as the islands of
Bahrain were concerned, and that the annual tribute of |4,00U which
be indubitably laid was on account of his possessions in Qatar, the
object of payment being to secure the latter against attack by Arab
tribes under Wahhabi influence. In submitting this information Colonel
Pelly reminded Government of the* decision of the Court of Directors in
1847, that any attempt upon Bahrain should be prevented by a British
naval force, if necessary; of the orders t of the Government of India in
1853, that eveiy obstacle should be offered to the Wahhabi Amir, then
regarded as a lurkish agent, should be seek to attack Bahrain ; and of
thet acceptance bj the Secretary of State in 1861 of the view that the
independence of Bahrain should be recognised and that the engagements
between the Shaikh and the British Government should be maintained.
In March 1807, the Government of India enunciated an opinion that
the Shaikh was independent of all other powers in respect of his insular
possessions, and that he did not owe fealty to the Wahhabis unless in
regard to Qatar.
In 1867 l disturbauces of a very ungual and serious character broke
ont between the Shaikh of Bahrain and his dependents in Qatar.
A Bedouin of the promontory having been seized and deported to
Bahrain by Shaikh Ahmad-bin-Muhammad, the representative of the
a rain ruler at Wakrah, the headmen of Wakrah and Bohah combined
to demand his release, and, on their request being refused, took measures to
expel Shaikh Ahmad from Wakrah ; but their action was forestalled by that
mdu idnal, removing himself, with his family and goods, to Khor Hassan.
A seeming reconciliation then took place, the Shaikh of Bahrain releasing
* Vide page 882 ante.
+ 887 ante.
X Vide page 888 ante.