'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Nejd [Najd] Affairs, 1804-1904' [‎21] (34/72)

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81. In the views thus expressed by Colonel Pelly as to the course which
Government lettor No. 1360, dated the 3rd June Our Treaty obligation S and SOUnd policy
1865. indicated, the Bombay Goyernment gene
rally concurred, but it seemed premature to decide on any definite course of
action until the British had heard what the Wahabi Amir had to say. Mean
while the officer in charge of the Eesidency in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Colonel Pelly
having proceeded to Europe) and 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. at Maskat, were informed
that it was exceedingly desirable that these differences should be adjusted by
their good offices without hostilities commencing between Maskat and the
"Wahabi Amir.
82. These proceedings having been reported to the Government of India, Mr.
Secretary Muir replied on the 21st June 1865, that the Viceroy in Council
concurred in the views and approved the action of the Bombay Government."
XXTV.—Hebellion of two Oman tribes under leadership of a Wahabi
officer. (2) Outrages on British subjects at Sur, 1865.
83. Shortly afterwards the Political ^gent at Maskat brought to notice
that a Wahabi Agent had arrived at that
juty tses' Bu8hire ' * 0 ' 5i ' 23 place with demands for the payment of
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. , Maskat, No. 152, dated the 4th three or four times the customary annual
August 1865. contribution, and that on his recommen
dation, His Highness Syud Thoweyni had sent a messenger with a letter to
the Wahabi Amir, informing him that he had paid the usual annual contribu
tion, but as regards additional demands he awaited the Amir's reply to Colonel
Pelly's communication offering to mediate, and to the letter enclosed from him
self (the Sultan).
84. This was followed by a letter from 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. , dated the 22nd
August, reporting that the Beni-bu-ali and Jenubah tribes had, under the
leadership of Abdul Aziz Wahabi, iifvested the castle of Sur, and on the
refusal of the garrison to surrender laid siege to it. Besistance was successfully
offered by the Maskat troops for two days, but on the night of the third day
the besiegers succeeded in ucderminingf the walls of the bazar adjoining the
castle, and effected an entry, when the entire wealth of the place, the greater
part of which belonged to British Indian subjects, fell into their hands. During
the assault one British subject was killed, whose remains were denied the rites
of burial, and another was wounded. The castle subsequently surrendered.
After suffering much hardship and indignity, and being stript of nearly all
their clothing, the British Indian subjects were permitted to leave Sur and
proceed to Maskat. They represented their losses to 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. at
27,000 dollars.
85. On receiving intelligence of these occurrences 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.
addressed the Sultan of Maskat, exhorting him to take " active and determined
measures, tempered with clemency in its place and season," to bring the rebels
to submission. He at the same time addressed the Wahabi Amir, and also
bis deputy Sudeyri at Brymi, protesting in the name of the British Govern
ment at the proceedings of their subordinate Abdul Aziz at Sur.
86. In forwarding to the Government of India a copy of the correspondence
relatino' to these events, His Excellency the Governor in accordance with the
♦ Letter*from Mr. Secretary Muir, No. 809, dated request of the Governor-General in Council
the 20th September i86.i. (previously* communicated) proceeded
to record his views on the attitude proper to be observed by the British Govern
ment in the position of affairs in Oman,
87. After reviewing briefly the events connected with the rise of the
Wahabi power, and its "temporary subversion by Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , His Excel
lency wrote:—
« Ihere can be no doubt that tbe Wahabis have of late shown a considerable revival
Minute by His Excellency the Governor, concurred of their former activity, both as ail aggressive
e by the Honorable Board, dated the 9th October temporal power m the interior or Arabia; and as
1865. leaders of fanatical revival in India/''