‘File XXIX/1 RISING OF IMAM OF NIZWA MAY 1913’

Content

The volume contains correspondence in the form of reports, news extracts, mainly from Muscat News , and a considerable number of translated letters of notable local Omani shaikhs and members of al-Bu Sa‘id ruling family. The correspondence is mainly concerned with the rising of the Imam of Oman, Salim bin Rashid al-Kharusi against the Sultan of Oman, Fayṣal bin Turki al-Bu Sa‘idi in 1913, with the cause being the supposed leaning of the Sultan to foreign governments. 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. , Muscat, the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire, as well as the Sultan of Oman, all raised concerns regarding the threat of attacks on Muscat and Mutrah by the 'rebels'. The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. requested that the Sultan of Muscat issue a notification to the Omani shaikhs not to attack these towns. The Sultan then issued a warning similar to the one which was issued during the rising of the previous Imam in 1895.

Among other issues discussed in the volume are:

• the present situation in various regions including Sama’il, Nizwa, and others
• the possible attacks by Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih al-Harthi and his followers on British subjects in the areas under the Sultan’s control
• a report (ff 70-73) on the history of the rising of the Imam of Tanuf brought up to 31 July 1913
• the fall of Nizwa, Izki, Bidbid and Sama’il into the hands of the Imam of Oman
• the British assistance to the Sultan by sending troops of 250 men to protect Muscat and Matrah
• news of the Imam of Oman collecting zakat (alms) money and pulling tobacco plants from various regions in Oman
• news that the Imam had been discredited and his followers were quarrelling among themselves
• the death of the Sultan of Oman on 4 October 1913, and the succession of his son Taimur bin Fayṣal bin Turki al-Bu Sa‘idi

Among other correspondents in the volume are the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department, the Imam of Oman, Salim bin Rashid al-Kharusi and the Sultan of Oman, Faisal bin Turki al-Bu Sa‘idi.

Extent and format

1 volume (179 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 181; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Pagination: the file also contains a printed and handwritten pagination sequence.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/6/42

Former external reference(s)

Subject Files: File XXIX/1

History of this record

Date(s)

24 May 1913-1 Dec 1913 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

IbadismZakatReportsRebellions

Places

Sama’ilIzkiNizwaMaṭraḥ

People & organisations

Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Āl Bū Sa'īd DynastyĀl Bū Sa'īd dynasty, Imam of Muscat and OmanShaikh 'Īsá bin Ṣāliḥ al-ḤārithīĀl Ghāfirī (Tribe)Āl Hināwī (Tribe)

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‘File XXIX/1 RISING OF IMAM OF NIZWA MAY 1913’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/42, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000831.0x000282> [accessed 7 May 2024]

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