'Administration Reports 1905-1910' [‎46v] (97/616)

74 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. POLITICAL
C hapteb VIII.—ADMIKISTEATION REPORT, TRUCIAL CO A ST OP
OMAN, 1905-1906.
The remark made in last year's report, that the new Sheikh of Umm-al-
, _ . Kawain was a person of some force of
Umm-al-Kawain. , , u i*i i " ut
character, who was likely to acquire
influence on the Coast, has proved well-founded. During the past year he has
come considerably to the front; and though inclined to be headstrong appears
to be a satisfactory man to deal with.
It is a matter for much regret that Maktoom-bin-Hashar, Sheikh of Deba
the most enlightened and reasonable of
the Trucial Chiefs, died suddenly on
16th February 1906 at Debai apparently from heart disease. There was a
quiet succession, his cousin Butti-bin-Soheil assuming the Chieftainship
unopposed, the deceased Sheikh having left no adult sons. The new Sheikh
is a middle-aged man and seems to be somewhat uncouth and less enlightened
than his predecessor, but will do doubt improve.
The Sheikh of Shargah has as usual been very unsatisfactory. He is
ghar ab always friendly and pleasant to meet, but
is said to be chiefly interested in his
zenana, and in regard to his business and administrative duties suffers hope
lessly from inertia. It is only by constant pressure that he can be got to effect
the settlement of any claims at all. Simply owing to this failing he has
gradually lost all his adherents, the Bedouin finding that they can get more
easily elsewhere the small measure of support, justice and protection which he
has always failed to give them. His apathetic character is notorious all over
northern Oman. His son Rashid, at present Sheikh of Bas-al-Khaima, unfortu
nately seems to take after his father in character.
Sheikh Suggar seems practically to have given up all intention of coerc-
Fu . ira ing Sheikh Hamad-bin-Abdulla, Headman
of Pujaira, and as regards this individual
and his affairs matters have been quiescent during the year and he shows
signs of attaching himself to other Sheikhs of Umm-al-Kawain or Abu Thabi
for practical protection. So weak is Sheikh Suggar's rule and so callous is he
that there seems every reason to believe that in the course of time the whole
Shimailiya tract between Mureir and Dibba will make itself independent of
him.
The two most important matters which have exercised the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. in
regard to the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. during the year have been the reported intention
of Bin Saood, the Wahabi leader, to endeavour to re-establish himself in those
centres of Oman which were under Wahabi influence in the days of his
forefathers, and secondly a troublesome quarrel between the Beni Kattab
Bedouins and the Sheikh of Abu Tbabi.
The latter tribe had formerly been in treaty relations with the Chiefs of
Beni Kattab quarrel. Shargah and Ras-al-Kliaima, but finding
that they got no assistance or presents
from them, transferred their allegiance to Sheikh Rashid of Umm-al-Kawain,
who since his accession has succeeded in gaining some reputation in northern
Oman as a strong character and liberal patron among the Bedouin element.
The first question which brought the Beni Kattab into issue with Sheikh
Zaeed was a somewhat curious one. In the northern part of the Sultan of
Maskat s territory, inland of the port of Shinas lies the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Hatta in Western
Hajar, at the head of which, on the Baraimi side, lie two villages, one on
either side of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. , named respectively Hijarain and Misfut, and inhabited
by two sections of a small tribe called the Biduwat, who are always on bad
terms. Those at Misfut not having been able to get relief when in difficulty
from distant Maskat, attached themselves to the Nairn of Baraimi and received
protection from the Sheikh of that tribe. Those at Hijarain were transferred