'33 File 665 Hostilities between Shaikh Zaid and Shaikh Jasim' [‎310v] (655/845)

Abdul Wahab endeavoured to bring about an interview between the Muta
serif and the Chief of Bahrain, but the former declined to go to the Chief s place,
and the Chief did not like to go to the Mutasenf first. I had an interview with
the Mutaserif which lasted for about 20 minutes. He did not speak out his
views, but said that Bahrain was not a good place, and spoke highly of Karachi.
He remarked in a laughing tone that he did not know why people were so fond
of pearls which were a perishable article, and not so of gold and silver which
were lasting. I think that he is a hot-tempered man, as he is a Military Ofecer
and cannotbe skilled in administrative policy.
Formerly the Turkish officials sent to Hasa, Katr and Katif, when they
came here, did not interfere in the affairs, of Bahrain and Katr. TV hat they
were occupied with was how to make money, but now there are many agitators
in these places who win the ears of those officials by their eloquence.
Nasrallah, brother of Ahmed-bin-Mehdi, and Mansoor came to Bahrain
from Busrah with Akif Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , and they paid his passage, and all other expenses
besides giving him about Es. 1,400 in cash, including the value of a watch
(gold). This is the present which he got to start with. Then Mohamed Abdul
Wahab also gave him some. At Hasa, the Mutaserif will get more bribes. After
the Ramadan he will come to Katif and get something there too. Such is the
conduct of the Turkish officials. But it is to be remembered that those who give
them bribes do so for their own advantage with a view to purchase justice.
No. 69, dated the 6th May 1889.
From—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. Agent at Bahrain,
To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
TV ith reference to my letter No. 65 of the 80th April 1889, I have the
honour to report that Ghanim-bin-Ataish returned from Katr, and 1^ had a con
versation with him regarding his journey to Katr. It was only by inadvertence
that he gave me an account of his journey, and which is as follows " I was
the bearer of a letter from Akif Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to Shaikh Zaid which was handed to
me by Muhammad Abdul Wahab. It was a threatening one, and Zaid was
warned in it that any aggressive movement on his part against the villages
subject to Katr, which is a Turkish province, would be promptly acted against.
This letter was written under the impression that Zaid had already arrived
at Katr, and it was meant that it should reach him there. The letter _ was
open, and I gave it to Jasim for perusal. He said that Zaid had not arrived,
• and that he (Jasim) had no need of such a letter as he was not afraid of Zaid.
Then I brought back that letter, and gave it to Muhammad Abdul Wahab with
another from Jasim. Shaikh Esau has seen that letter."
After the departure of the Mutaserif, I had an interview with the Chief
of Bahrain, and asked him whether he had heard anything regarding the secret
conversation which passed between the Mutaserif and Muhammad Abdul Wahab,
and whether he knew what was the object of Ghanim's mission to Katr,
who was despatched there with letters in a special boat. But I was unable to
elicit any information from him. I have no doubt that this caution on his
part has been enjoined by Muhammad Abdul Wahab.
. Prom what I have heard it appears
« Probably regarding the attitude he should oh- that the Mutaserif has not Sent any Order*
S ln "" to the Commandant of the Turkish troops
stationed at Bida.
Ghanim-bin-Atai sh was originally a subject of Zaid, and was living at
Puweyrat. When Jasim ordered the abandonment of that place he came to
Bahrain, and is now in the service of Muhammad Abdill Wahab. He informs
me that during his recent stay at Bidaa he heard that Jasim had sent two boats,
with 30 or 40 armed men in each, to Sila for the purpose of finding out
whether there were any boats lying there belonging to the people of Oman.
One of those boats belonged to Khalifa-bin-ISIasir-al-Suweydi, called As-
. samhah; the other to Sheyban of the tribe of Al-Soodan. These boats on their
arrival at Sila saw some boats lying there. In the boat of Sheyban there were
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