'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Historical and Political Materials, Maskat [Muscat] territory, 1872-1903' [‎10] (12/138)

10
ruary in afternoon Sultan sent Sheikhs $ 1,200 and dismissal presents and
they intended to leave that night or next morning. After dark many Bedouins
straggled into town. At 4 a. m . on 13th February Ahdulla 's party in town
rushed gates and admitted comrades from Rui. General Badr bin Saif's
house surrounded. New palace entered and Sultan attacked in old palace.
Sultan's wife and her sister in-law reached British Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. vid roofs of Banyas'
houses; similarly Sultan and rest of palace people. Agent offered him and
family protection, but preferred to go to Jalali. Saiyid Muhammad bin Turki
in Merani, Agent, wrote to Abdulla warning him he would be held directly
responsible for loss occasioned to British subjects in life and pioperty.
Arrangements made for protection British subjects. Attempts to retake old
palace, Fahad's house and customs house failed. Message received from rebels
suggesting Agent should take protective measures in Matra, where Salih
expected. Agent again warned Abdullah he would be held responsible for all
damage to British subjects at both places. The three rebel leaders declared
people of Oman were determined to have Sultan who would rule country,
Hamud said he wished Abdul Aziz. Evening of 13th both forts, all outside
towers and one tower on South-East wall held by Sultan and rebels in pos
session of town. Number of rebels at first 250—SCO, well under control of
leaders who said they had come to rule not to rob. Mail steamer came in on
morning 14th February ; no one allowed to land. Bequest of Sultan to send
her to Sur for reinforcements refused : neutrality necessary as rebels in posses
sion of town. Rebels wrecked Sultan's palaces and auctioned effects. Abdulla
wrote to Agent declaring all arrangements between British and Arabs still
in force. Agent replied w r hat he desired was protection of British subjects
and property. Early on 15th white Mutawwa Hag flown on palace. On 16th
Agent objected to rebels approaching Consulate quarter to blockade Jalali;
they abstained. On 17th first reinforcements for Sultan, Beni Jabir from
Jow, arrived: rebels also received large addition to forces. Mohsin bin Amir
visited Agent and said rising was general Hinawi movement to dethrone
Sultan ; Agent maintained objection to rebel occupation of extreme east and
of town. Sheikh profuse in protestation that tribes of Oman desired nothing
but friendship and support of British Government^ In afternoon Agent saw
Sultan who wished to know if A^ent would mediate and who would be res
ponsible for damage if Saltan attempted recovery of town. Agent replied
hardly time for mediation yet and that Government of a country responsible
for public safety. Late same evening Abdulla announced arrival of Saiyid
Saood bin Azzan and his assumption of leadership and approach of Salih
with large force. Matra escaped occupalion owing to want of force by
rebels. On 18th early Sultan's men attacked Bab Saghir unsuccessfully.
" Sphinx " arrived. Agent insisted on truce and removed all British subjects to
Makalla except Europeaus, who took refuge on " Sphinx " and in Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . Resi
dent arrived in afternoon. On 19th and 20th desultory fire kept up by Sultan s
men. On 21st Sultan's men gained up to East gate of Customs House. On 22nd
sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. guard wounded by stray bullet- Banyas complained of looting
by Sultan's allies, chiefly Beni Bu Ali. Sheikhs warned their boats might
be seized and destroyed 'unless followers restrained. On 23rd Hamud bin
Azzan arrived at Rui, and first complaint of looting by rebels made. Agent
warned Saood that British might have to take action if this not stopped. On
2 ; tth A^ent was informed Sultan was urging friendly Sheikhs to advance,
but they would not. Reported that 3U0 to 400 Yal Wahibeh had joined
Salih at Rui and that Salih had declared general war against all Ghafins
in Sharkiya and Jaalan on account of assistance rendered by them to Sultan.
On 26th February Sultan's forces took water-gate and tower half way between
it and Bab Kabir, and on left Beni Bu Ali advanced barricades 50 yards. On
26th Sultan sent evasive reply to Resident about his plan of action. Br. Jaya-
kar's boat fired at probably by mistake. In centre Sultan's people captured
Banyas' temple. On 1st March Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. peon A low-ranking infantryman, orderly or assistant (South Asian context). killed by stray shot. On 2nd March
Wazir Minister. stated to Agent that friendly tribes men wished to prolong matters and
would not make determined assault. Said bin Ali, Harth, was trying to negoti
ate. Rebels in a fix. Beni Bu Ali Shaikh, had written to Ghafiris of Dhahira and
Nairn. More complaints of looting and Resident demanded 3 days truce. Resi
dent and Agent interviewed Sheikh Mohsin bin Amir, rebels agent and a Llarth