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File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎139r] (61/152)

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The record is made up of 1 item (74 folios). It was created in Sep 1904-Jul 1906. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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MEMORANDUM.
The Resident interviewed all the Sultans, Sayids and Sheikhs of the
Wahidi now in Aden as per accompanying list, at 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. this morning.
He first saw the two Sultans of Balahaf—Sultan Mohsin hin Saleh and Sul
tan Saleh bin Abdulla. He said that he hoped that they would soon come to an
amicable settlement in the matter of the distribution of their shares in Balahaf.
The Sultans said that they had not yet done so and that a final settlement would
still probably take some time. The Resident advised them to settle the matter
as soon as possible.
Both Sultans admitted that there were at the present moment three Sultans
of the Wahidi. They admitted the independence of the Sultan of Bir Ali, and
they admitted that Sultan Nasir bin Saleh of Habban was at Habhan and in
receipt of certain transit dues there. Sultan Mohsin asserted that this Sultan
of Habban was there only with his will and consent, and that he was really a
man of no consequence.
The Sultan of Bir Ali was then invited to attend the interview, and he
confirmed the above and alleged his own independence.
The Resident then proceeded to another room where interviewed the
rest of the Suit ins’ relatives, and the Sayids and Sheikhs of the tribes assem
bled.
They were unanimous in their support of Mohisin as the tribal Sultan of
Balahaf audits dependencies, in which they included Azzan and practically Hab
han, though they admitted the existence of Sultan Nasir hin Saleh at Habban.
They admitted the independence of Bir Ali. They said that Mohsin was the
only tribal Sultan whom they would recognise as their chief, and that they
would not recognise Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla whom they regarded as not fit
for such a position.
They said that they would always abide loyally by their selection of Mohsin
and fight for him. They said that they would willingly sign a document to
this effect.
They expressed themselves as strongly opposed to any alienation of territory
to the Kayti, and said that they would resist such a measure to the utmost.
The Resident then returned to the Sultans and had separate interviews with
Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla and Sultan Mohsin bin Saleh. He reminded Sultan
Saleh bin Abdulla of the fact that only a few years ago he had himself expressed
his willingness to the election of Mohsin as titular Sultan. He pointed out to
him that he had since then further provied himself incapable of exercising any
real control in the Wahidi country. And he pointed out that his recent transac
tion with the Kayti ipso focto proved his abandonment of claims to the Sultan
ate. Sultan Saleh replied by insisting upon his own loyalty and friendship to
the British Government remarking upon the fact that he remained loyal at the
time when Mohsin was intriguing with the French and Turks and committing
misdeeds on the shores of Balahaf. To this the reply was given that he was not
the only signatory of the treaty of 1895 which other members of the family
had also signed j Mbbsin alone being excluded on account of the misdemean
ours of which he then proved himself guilty. Sultan 8aleh claimed that it was
his personal influence over the other members of the family that brought about
the treaty, to which it was replied that this was a doubtful factor, and that he
had never in any way proved that he had any real influence at all either at
Balahaf or elsewhere in the Wahidi country. He said that he had supporters
and evidence that he could produce, to which the reply was given th it he had
been given time and opportunity to produce them and that no further deny
seemed under the circumstances justifiable.
Einally the Resident advised Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla to come to an un
derstanding with Mohsin and his other relations.
344PD 51

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Content

Part 5 of the file relates to the negotiations over a treaty with the Wahidi [al-Wāḥidī], ruling family of Balahaf [Balhaf] and Bir Ali [Bīr ‘Alī].

The correspondents include:

Several matters are covered by the papers, including:

  • the power struggle between Sultan Mohsin bin Saleh (al-Wāḥidī) and his father, Saleh bin Abdullah;
  • Mohsin bin Saleh's submission to the British in December 1904 and his subsequent election as chief of Balhaf;
  • Saleh bin Abdullah's attempt to sell his share of Balhaf to Sultan Ghalib of Maculla [al-Mukallā];
  • the conclusion of a treaty with the Wāḥidīs on 13 November 1905.

Folios 158-161 contain tables of information on the tribal sections and sub-sections under the Wāḥidīs authority, a list of Wāḥidī villages, and a Wāḥidī genealogical chart.

Folio 148 is a copy of the final treaty between the British and the Wāḥidīs.

Extent and format
1 item (74 folios)
Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎139r] (61/152), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/75/2, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100026748150.0x000053> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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