‘Report on the administration of the Persian Gulf Political Agency and Muscat Political Agency for the year 1883-84.’ [‎46r] (31/166)

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EESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. FOR 1883-84. 29
February for Pemba and Zanzibar, where the Governor, however, SaW-bin-Muhammed El
Akhabari (styled by Owen Seyyid Larkbree), refused to surrender Pemba, which had, been a
dependency of Mombasa previous to present hostilities. Captain Owen revisited the coast in
January 18£5, when the people of Brava also solicited British protection, which was accorded
to them He then made an arrangement with the Wali at Zanzibar that no interference
should take place on the Wali's part with the East African coasts until the decision of Govern
ment became known.
In 1826 Suliman-bin-Ali was deposed by Salim, the brother of the late Wali, Abdulla-
bin-Ahmed, the British Governor not interfering in the matter, and shortly after the Home
authorities,'at the instance of the Indian Government, disavowed Captain Owen's proceedings,
and the British Commandant was removed from Mombasa, which was left with Pemba and
Brava to settle its own quarrel with Sa'eed. Sa'eed lost no time in writing to Salim and sum-
monino- him to surrender. Salim in reply offered to acknowledge a nominal sway and to
remit tribute, but refused to yield the fort. This did not satisfy Sa'eed, who, having completed
his preparations, sailed in the Liverpool with a large fleet and 1,200 men from Muscat, expectant
of an easy victory. The sight of this imposing force riding at anchor before his little
island did not terrify Salim; he refused defiantly Speed's demand for submission, and declined
to accept his invitation to an interview. He was prepared for defence. A general assault was
then made by Sa'eed, but it was repulsed with heavy loss, and after several ineffectual attempts
Sa'eed deemed it prudent to raise the siege and retire to Zanzibar. In the meanwhile serious
disorders were taking place in 'Oman. Incensed at her brother's imprisonment, Jokha, the
sister of Hilal, seized the fort at Soweyk and razed the Batineh. Hamud also joined in the
insurrection, made himself master of Sohar, Khabooreh, and Shinas, and prepared to march
on Muscat.' Mohammed-bin-Salim, seriously alarmed, sent a vessel to recall Sa'eed from
Zanzibar and appealed to Bombay for help. Two cruisers were ordered to support him and to
prevent an attack being made on Muscat. The Resident also kept other vessels ready and
warned Hamud not to attempt an attack. Sa'eed returned to 'Oman in May 1830, and with
his usual duplicity pretended to think that the rebellion had been of an insignificant character,
and that he had been recalled without reason. He was unable, however, to recover either
Sohar or Khabooreh from Hamud, and had to content himself with the restitution of Shinas.
Another expedition against Sohar, in February 1831, was undertaken by Sa eed, but he was
disastrously defeated by Hamud with a loss of 400 or 500 men, and had to retreat with his
finances and reputation reduced to a very low ebb. Early in the next year Sa'eed having
entrusted the government of 'Oman to his eldest son Hilal, his nephew, Mohammed-bin-Salim,
and Saood-bin-Ali of Barka, set out on a fresh expedition to East Africa in the Liverpool with
the intention of again besieging Mombasa. His force consisted of 1,400 men in four ships
and six bughlos, and, having on arrival wasted three days in fruitless negociations, commenced
to bombard the town and forts. This proved unavailing, and negociations were again resorted
to Salim, on receiving hostages, came on board the Liverpool, and a convention was concluded
to the effect that Salim should recognise Sa'eed's sovereignty, and should continue to hold the
governorship as hereditary in his family, that he should also hold and reside in the fort, which
was however, to be garrisoned by 50 men, appointed by Sa'eed, and that the .customs should
be equally divided between Sa'eed and Salim. Sa'eed then entered and formally took possession
of the fort, and appointed Sa 'eed-bin-Khalfan as Akeed, or Commandant.
Instead of 50, however, he introduced a garrison of 200 men, and then peifidiously
ordered Salim to quit the fort and reside in the town. Before leaving, he repaired the fort
and stationed a garrison of 350 men, Beloochis and Arabs, in it, and then set sail for Zanzibar.
Sa'eed appears to have already resolved to fix his residence at Zanzibar, for he began to build
a palace at Metony and to lay out clove and rice plantations. Bat he was not destined to
enjoy tranquillity there long. He had, in fact, no sooner left Muscat than disturbances of a
serious character broke out, and the integrity of his dominions was threatened. These disturb
ances were due chiefly to harem intrigues, and to the existing jealousy between Saood-bin-Ali
and Mohammed -bin-Salim. Taking advantage of the arrival of Hilal and Mohammed at
Barka, whither they had proceeded en route to Bostak, which had been made over to Hilal,
Saood seized and imprisoned the pair, and then laid siege to Mesnaah. Hamud-bin-Azzan,
Hilalbin- Mohammed, and Sultan-bin-Sakar also took up arms, the last seizing Khor Fakan and
Dibba, and the two former beleaguering Rostak. The Seyyideh Moza took the lead on Sa'eed 's
part, and was joined by Talib and Mohammed Nasir El Jabri, with 1 ,500 Ghaffiris, at Muscat,
while the Beni Naeem at their request made a diversion against Sohar. To support Sa'eed's
rule the Resident at Bushire wrote warning letters to the insurgent, and despatched his