'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Nejd [Najd] Affairs, 1804-1904' [‎6] (19/72)

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IV.—First encroachments of the Wahabis on Oman, 1804—1808.
17. We are now brought face to face with the "Wahabis in the Persian
Gulf. The growing influence of thie Wahabis justly alarmed the Persian
and Turkish Governments, who offered to unite with Maskat in repelling
the common danger. At this juncture, however, several of the principal Chiefs
of Oman were induced to array their influence on the side of the Waha
bis under a compact which recognized their independence of Maskat. Cut
off from all support, except what he derived from Mekran and the coun
try westward of Maskat, the Imam was compelled to make peace with the
Wahabis on their own terms.
18. In the year 1804, the Imam of Maskat was killed in a battle with
tv , , . , , j ijt ' i i • the Uttubis. He left two younsr sons
Disputed succession at Maskat and Wahabt , • i , t , 3 0
intervention, mi. wiiosc rights were disputed by their un-
cle Syud Ghes of Sohar. To oppose his
pretensions they entrusted the care of the Government to their cousin Syud
Beder. This person had during the late Imam's life time allied himself to
the Wahabis, and he now called in their aid, by which, for the first time,
they were enabled to obtain a firm footing in Maskat. By the help of the
Wahabis, Syud Beder reduced the rebellious Syud Ghes to submission,
and recovered possession of Bunder Abbas and Ormuz, both of which places
had been seized by the Chief of Kishm. In his expedition to Bunder Abbas
and Ormuz, Syud Beder was accompanied by the Resident, Captain Seton,
with two of the Company's cruisers. Our Marine was at this time actively
engaged inputting down the Joasmi pirates, who had a short time before
captured the Shannon and Trimmer. In 1806 a combined British and Mas
kat fleet proceeded to Kishm and successfully blockaded the Joasmis, when
they sued for terms. This led to the conclusion of th© Treaty with the Joasmi
tribe dated the 6th February 1806.
19. During the next two years the supineness of the Persian and Turkish
Complete ascendancy of the Wahahis in Oman. Governments, and the weakness arising
f rom the disputed succession in Maskat,
enabled the Wahabis completely to establish their ascendancy in Oman.
V. (1) The Jaosmi pirates under Wahabi influence first venture into
^ qao io?o eas ' (2) Expedition against Joasmis and Wahabis,
lyoy—i oio*
2°. In 1808 the Wahabi power rose to its height. They held the revenues
of the upper part of Oman, and ruled over the powerful tribe of the Joas
mis to the exclusion of their own Chief, who was compelled to abandon his
country. ^ It was under this influence that the Joasmis ventured to extend
bythe^Wahabis depredations to the Indiai1 Seas ' ai i object long contemplated
21. It was now apprehended that the Maskat State would he drawn into
the general system of piracy which prevailed in the Gulf unless relieved from
the pressure employed hy the Wahabis to reduce it. The Arah Sheikhs
chafed at the tyranny and insults of the Wahahi Officers, and only waited
thLV'f 1 O f re-unite under the Imam's standard. Taking advantage of
the absence ot the Wahabi Chief on a visit to Mecca in 1809, the Imam
fitted out an expedition in which the Uttuhis and a party of the Joasmis
•'T , common enemy. The expedition sailed down
the Gulf under the personal command of Syud Saecd, but it terminated with
out accomplishing anything. 1
m 2 ~c Ca P tail1 Sefon, represented that nothing hut the interfe-
rence of the British Government could prevent the destruction of Maskat as a port
of commerce, and its shipping being added to the resources of the pirates-an
opinion m which Captain (afterwards Sir J.) Malcolm entirely concurred
Influenced by these considerations the Supreme Government determined on
despatching an armament to the Gulf for the suppression of piracy as well
as, 01 the protection of Maskat. The armament proceeded in the first place