‘Administration Report on the Persian Gulf Political Residency and Maskat Political Agency for 1896-97 (Foreign Dept serial no. 92). Calcutta: Supt. Govt. Printing, 1897 & Appendices to the Administration Report on the Persian Gulf Political Residency and Maskat Political Agency for 1896-97’ [‎220v] (8/31)

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administration report on the persian gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. political
$15,000 annually which was finally effected, though falling considerably short
of the originally estimated yield, offers better prospects than those hitherto
secured.
Last year's report explained how the Sultan, after some hesitation and
capriciousness, had finally decided to decline the aid of a war vessel, proffered
by Government under certain conditions, towards the recovery of Dhofar.
A few months ago, however. His Highness' desire for the restoration of his
authority in the revolted province was revived, and, notwithstanding the crip
pling of his finances which the futile attempt to coerce the Beni Ruaheh had
entailed, an expedition was resolved upon. The Government of India assented,
at His Highness' request, to give the aid of a man-of-war to support the
Sultan's troops, upon the same terms as before, waiving, however, under cer-
tain conditions, the insistence upon the exclusion of Sheikh Suleiman bin
Suwailim from the Waliship. Complete success attended this enterprise. The
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. proceeded to Dhofar in H. M. S. Cossack, and the
Sultan deputed his brother Seyed Mahomed bin Turki to accompany the Hesi-
dent in the R. I. M. S. Lawrence. Captain Beville, conveying a letter
from the Resident to the representatives of the rebels, explained to them in a
personal interview, the terms offered, and gave them assurances, on the part of
the Sultan, of pardon for the past, and just treatment in the future; negotia
tions followed, and frequent communications passed, till the opposition was
gradually overcome. Some time previously, the Maskat troops had been assem
bled at the nearest to the coast of the small group of villages constituting
Dhofar, off which H. M. S. Cossack was lying. Just before the expiry of the
period granted by the ultimatum which had been communicated to the mal
contents, the flags which had defiantly been flown were struck in sign of sub
mission, and the satisfactory solution of a formal restoration of the Sultan's
authority was thus secured without a resort to force.
In pursuance of his cherished policy, the Sultan subsequently sent Sheikh
Suleiman to replace the Wali who had been provisionally installed, but accord
ing to the latest report, just after the close of the year, had again recalled
him in consequence of a disturbance which it is hoped may prove insigni
ficant. 0
Indications of an increased activity in the slave trade have been apparent,
and it is to be feared that a large number of slaves have been carried from
the African coast to Sur, and thence distributed inland and up the coasts of
Oman and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . In May the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , in the absence of
any war vessel, personally effected the capture of an Arab Dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. with 28 slaves
on board. This very creditable enterprise was successfully carried out by
Captain Beville, with great promptitude and courage. Captures were also
made by H. M. SS. Lapwing and Sphinx. A group of Baluchis of the
Batineh, who had for long kidnapped and sold Mekranis into slavery, were
nought to account, and after trial before the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and a representa-
live or the Sultan, were punished with imprisonment.
• ■^ ra ^ e ^ as shown veiy satisfactory results. In dates there was an increase
m le expor o ovei a lakh One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of dollars in value, compared with the preceding
year, notwithstanding gloomy prospects at one time. The figures show a very
large increase m the total volume of trade; allowance must, however, be made
or a great undervaluation of the arms imported in the year 1895-96, and
making a further deduction on account of the movements of specie, there still
remains a substantial improvement in the value of trade, of over three lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
o o ars. n arms, even after the liberal allowance made for undervaluation
active PreVl0US year ' it is evident that th e trade has been considerably more