'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Nejd [Najd] Affairs, 1804-1904' [‎36] (49/72)

36
XXIX—(1) Civil War between Abdullah and Saud his brother- (2)
The Turkish expedition into Nejd to assist Abdullah, 1870-
1872.
137. Amir Abdullah had to abandon the prosecution of Ms war against
Oman ; for he had to face a more powerful enemy at home, his own brother
Saud.
138. Abdullah ibn Peysal's character was never such as to win him much
affection from the warlike nomad tribes, who constitute the fighting power
of the Nejd. In early manhood, when heir apparent and practically regent for
his blind father, he showed some energy and ability as a leader of raids, but
what popularity he then enjoyed w'as far exceeded by that of his brothei Saud,
the beau-ideal of an Arab prince—handsome, reckless, frank and open-han e .
On their father, Peysal's death in 1865, the inevitable contest began between
the brothers for the Amirship. It lasted until 1870, when Abdullah, finally
defeated, sought the aid ol the hated, and, as the Wahabis of Nejd hold,
infidel Turks. The result was that a Turkish expedition under Midhat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
Vali of Baghdad, proceeding from Basrah by sea, occupied, with Abdullah's
aid, the Efosa district of the Nejdean Principality.
139. In June 1871 the Turkish expeditionary force, consisting of 4,000 or
6,000 regular troops under command of Naiiz Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , disembarked at Katif,
and marched unopposed to Hasa. In July 1871 the Sheikh of Koweit was
sent bearing the Turkish flag to Bidaa on the Katar Coast, and the Arab
Sheikhs induced to accept it. Abdullah bin Teysal had in the meantime won
over the Beni-Kahtan tribe and, with their assistance, had engaged Saud west
of Riadh, but was again worsted and joined the Turkish camp in Hasa. The in-
habitants of Riadh, displeased at the overbearing conduct of Saud's Bedouin
followers, now rose under the leadership of Abdullah bin Turki, and forced Saud
to retire to Katar. Abdullah bin Turki then wrote to Nafiz Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and Abdullah
bin Teysal, reporting that he had expelled Saud and requesting orders. In
reply. Nafiz Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. appointed hii^ " Mudir 51 of Riadh pending the arrival
there of Abdullah bin Peysal, and sent him money and provisions to aid him
in holding the place. Saud next collected a force of the Ajman and Morrah
and Dowasir Bedouins and attacked the Turks in Hasa, but sustained a defeat.
140. It was not long ere the Turkish authorities ceased, even in appearance,
to act on behalf of Abdullah bin Feysal. It was alleged that the chief people
of Hasa had addressed a petition to the Sultan praying His Majesty to take
Nejd under the direct rule and appoint a Turkish Governor instead of a member
of the Al-Saud family. The Hasa notables certainly maintained that they
were under the impression that the petition they signed related to the assess
ment of the date groves, etc., but in November Midat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. appeared personally
in Hasa bearing a gracious and favourable reply to the said petition. A noti
fication was issued that the " Al-Saud has ceased to reign," and that Natiz
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. was appointed Muteserrif or Governor of Nejd ; whereupon Abdullah
bin Teysal tied from the Turkish camp to Biadh.
141. At the commencement of 1872, the Turks had possessed themselves
of the fertile district and ports of Hasa and were reported to have collected
materials for the construction of forts at
secret. May 1872, No. 66. -^ as Qjair, and Bremeh, half
way between the latter place and Hasa, as a means of keeping open their
communication with the sea. The true nature of their policy in Nejd was
now beginnjng to dawn upon Abdullah bin Peysal, who after escaping from
their camp to his capital at Riadh, was said to have addreissed a letter to the
„ Turkish authorities complaining that.
Secret, ay , o. . though they had entered his country
with the avowed intention of restoring him to power, they had practically put
him under restraint and purposed supplanting his dynasty and substituting
fiheir own authority. Other circumstances combined to favour the idea that
they were determined at all hazards to occupy the country permanently.
« ,0*. xr *0 ^ le Governor of Hasa issued proclam-
Secret, May 1878, No« 62 and 74. , , • , , , . , J . .
ations by which he claimed the right