'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎178] (220/733)

178
MUSK AT.
to have strictly observed the terms of that engagement. MooIIa
Hussain, the Chief of Kishm, was seized by surprise in 1806 and
carried to Muskat. In the following year a force was despatched' from
the latter to receive possession of the former place, and of Ormus also
from Moolla Hussain's family, in ransom for his person. Shaikh
Sultan, the Joasmee, had, however, thrown a force into Kishm, which
refused to receive Moolla Hussain, or to restore the island.
o7. In the mean time, Shaikh Sultan, taking advantage of the
absence of the fleet from Muskat, proceeded with twenty-two Dows two
Buggalows, and a number of Botellas,' towards Seer, near Ras-ool-
Hud, and landing, attempted to surprise the fort, but they were
repulsed, and driven to their boats with some loss. An expedition
against the Coast of Mukran by the pirates was also defeated about
this time. Syud Saeed, the second son of Syud Sultan, who had
succeeded Syud Beder in the Government of Muskat, was prevented by
his uncle Syud Gheif from following up those advantages.
58. The Government of Muskat was represented by Captain Seton,
a. d . 1808. in a ^ etterdatec * the 16th of January 1808, as very
• unstable and unpopular. Syud Saeed, young
and inexperienced, had lost the influence his father had acquired, and,
from the little consideration he manifested towards the Shaikhs who
visited Muskat, was left almost friendless. Of Oman he possessed
only the sea coast, the upper country having become tributary to the
Wahabees, and it was only by a degrading submission that the Imaum
protected the low country from their inroads. Mukran, with the
exception of Gauden, had also become independent of the Imaum ;
and as most of the Arab families had removed from Muskat, it was ex
pected that troubles would ensue.
59. In the month of May, however, the Imaum, assisted by Syud
Glieif, reduced the fort of Khore Fukaun. Mahomed bin Muttur, the
chief of a tribe inhabiting a part of the country between Muskat and Khore
Fukaun, called Tajarab, also co-operated with the Imaum, according to
previous agreement, on this expedition. That chief, however, seizing a
iavourable opportunity, treacherously deserted, and surprised the Muskat
troops. The Imaum narrowly escaped to his ships, whilst Syud Gheif
lost his life in the affray, and was succeeded by his son in the Govern
ment of Sohar.
60. The power of the Wahabees now reached its height. The Joas-
mees had, by a late order ol the Wahabees, been declared independent of
their lawful Shaikh, Sultun bin Suggur of Ras-ool-Khyma, and the whole
rendered tributary to the Shaikh of that sect. It was even apprehend
ed that the Government of Muskat would be obliged to join the general
piracy which now pervaded the Gulf, unless the British Government