'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Nejd [Najd] Affairs, 1804-1904' [‎33] (46/72)

3S
121. On 2nd August Colonel Disbrowe wrote :—" So far as I can see and
judge, Beraymi was gratuitously and unjustly invaded by Syud Azan and
Azan must look for Wababi retaliation
As was anticipated by Colonel Disbrowe, the Wababis soon took steps to
retaliate.
122. On 29tb January 1870 tbe Bombay Government telegraphed
"The Gulf mail just in leaves little room for doubting that the Wahabis are actually on
the march for Baraymi. It seems also that they have prepared boats, loosely stated at 100,
toco-operate with land force. We have only Clyde ia the Gulf and Dalhouste at Maskat.
I shall send Colonel Pelly back in the Dryad, if possible, as soon as she can be got ready.
• Tel. No. 230-p., 7th Feb. is7o. 123. Tbe Bombay Government were asked*—
" Have you any information to show where Wahabi boats are likely to start from, and
where likely to land ? Is coast line and country between Kateef and Aboo Debai allied with,
or feudatory of, Amir of Eiad, or are tribes inhabiting it quite independent. Can you quote
any precedent for our interference in Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. between two States who are not parties to
maritime truce V
124. This was answered on tbe lOtb February:—
"The Wahabi boats are likely to start, some from Kateef, which is a Wahabi port, and
others from the Guttur Coast, and to land at some point between AbuthaU and bhargah.
The chief port of the Guttur Geast in Wukra, belonging to the Chief, Mahomed-bin-Saleh,
who may be said to be independent, though he pays an annual sum to Bahrein, a portion ot
which goes to tha Wahabi Amir.
"Shargah belongs to the Joasmi tribe who, as regards religious tenets, approach nearly
to the Wahabis, though politically they are independent.
The Benivas tribe inhabiting the coast line adjacent to Abuthabi would not appear to
be allied or feudatory to the Wahabis. The Chief of Abuthabi, who is at the head of the
Benivas has always been closely allied in interest to the Syud Saeed branch of Maskat. _
Benivas' tribe are stronger on land than the Joasmis, and, therefore, exercise considerable influ
ence over the surrounding Bedouin tribes, but the Joasmis are more powerful at sea.
« The British Government has always been adverse to the extension of Wahabi influence
in Oman. No precedent can be quoted of actual interference between the Maskat and ^ aha-
bi powers by our Government, but it has always lent a moral support to Maskat in the differ
ences of that State with the Wahabis by sending vessels of war to the Arab Coast when os-
tilities threatened, and in one instance (in 1865-66 when the late S ^ d
to resist the Wahabi Amir) guns and material oi war were supplied to the bultan by our
Government.
"The latter policy of the Indian Government has been, however, to forbid operations by
sea in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. or Gulf of Oman to any power whatsoever.
"Tn June 1^68 the late Viceroy directed the prevention by force of any operation by
Miskat against Persia, and, of course, would similarly have resisted any operation by Persia
against Maskat. Similarly the Zanzibar Sultan has been told that operations by sea against
Maskat would not be permitted, and the Government at Maskat has been prevented attempting
to regain Gwadur and Charbar. The maritime truce affects only the smaller Chiefs on the
Littoral; neither Maskat, Persia, nor the Amir of Riad are parties to it.
125. Tbe following on tbe 7tb February came from Bombay
« Fnllowino- teleoram received f Wahabi force approaching Maskat. Tribes in J aalan
, & jTi iioirlincr back Appears at present doubtful if Azan can raise any suffi-
southward are generally instructions of February 3rd were, to observe
cient opposing , . t ^ een \ f 7 ntendin ^ parties, and to interfere with no operations by land, as
force only sent to protect British subjects and property, and to maintain maritime truce by
w! if nece -sarv • if thouo-ht necessary to alter these instructions, it will be best to do so at
once! as three days will be lost in going to Jask, which is 150 miles beyond Maskat. Builjinch
reported to be ready on Wednesday.
These instructions to Captain Douglas were approved.
1Maior Wav, writing from Maskat on January 21st, reported tbat men
and money wire collected but slowly by Azan-bin-Gheis wbo was endea-
and m y Unrka His firm adherents, Ibrabim-bm-Gheis and Sheikh
vounng to lecimt i • l t .i - uccess was no "better than their Chiefs.
Salib. ^re at the same place, 0 voucll , that the Beni-boo-
i™™ '•«'"S
fead rescued some men of their tribe who had been taken prisoners, and had