'Memorandum respecting British interests in the Persian Gulf' [‎27v] (20/126)

M
drawal of the Egyptian army from Nejd made
any further negotiations on this subject un
necessary.
The dissensions amongst the various members
of the ruling family of Bahrein had by this time
reached such a pitch as to give the greatest
cause of anxiety for the safety of the Gulf.
Khalifa died in 1834, and was succeeded by his
son, Mahomed. Between the latter and his great-
uncle, Sheikh Abdulla, there had alwavs been
*
jealousy, and in a short time civil war broke out,
and finally led to the discomfiture of Abdulla
and his expulsion from the island.
In 1845 the British Government exerted their
influence at Bahrein, when they objected to
the interference of Persia, and ordered the
exiled Sheikh Abdulla to abstain from disturbinsr
the peace of the Gulf.
In 1847 the ruling Sheikh, Mahomed-bin-
Khalifa, offered allegiance to Great Britain,
which, however, was refused, though he was
assured of the continuance of the good-will and
friendship of the British Government,
In ] 848 Abdulla died, but the feud with the
Khalifa family was vigorously maintained by
his son, Mahomed-bin-Abdulla; and the history
of the period which intervened up to the time
(1859) that the latter was declared a public
enemy and confined by the Government of India
in the fort of Assurghur, resembles in every
essential the history of preceding days. Piratical
outrages were frequent; the Resident’s advice
was asked only to be disregarded ; agreements
were broken as soon as made ; trade languished;
the common people were oppressed ; the Waha-
bees, egged on by a restless ambition, aided and
abetted Mahomed-bin-Abdulla; and, finally,
when a descent on Bahrein was imminent, the
British Government were compelled to expel the
rival Sheikh from his asylum at Demaum.
Shortly afterwards the ruling Sheikh, on being
remonstrated with on account of certain lawless
acts, declared his allegiance first to Persia, and
afterwards to Turkey. He was compelled by the
British Resident to raise the blockade of the
Wahabee ports which he had instituted, and, in
1861, a “ Perpetual Treaty of Peace and Eriend-
ship” was concluded with him. By this the
engagements entered into in 1820 were declared
to be valid and in (force, the Chief as “ Inde
pendent Ruler of Bahrein ” bound himself to
1845.
1847.
1848.
1869.
1861