File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎154r] (91/152)

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memorandum.
Balahaf Affairs.
In accordance with instructions, I left i\den on the morning of the 7th
instant by the R. I. M. S. “ Elphinstone ” and arrived at Balahaf shortly before
noon on the following day.
2 . In the early afternoon, I interviewed the leading Mansab of Habban
and his cousin, viz., Sayid Salim bin Ahmed bin Ali bin Umar al Mehdthar
and Sayid Kasim bin Ali bin Huss iin bin Ali bin Umar al Mehdthar. This
particular family of Mausabs has frequently been referred to in previous
records of 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. since 1887, and is one of the leading families of Sayids
who, as reported in Major Hunter’s account of the Arab tribes in the vicinity
of Aden, exert great influence amongst the Wahidi tribes. Habban was in
former days the recognized capital of the Wahidi country and the seat of
Government and is still the largest and most important town in the district.
S. A little later, I interviewed two of the actual collectors of the customs of
the port, named Saleh bin Saeed bin Jarba and Hussein bin Abdulla bin Husein
bin Saleh, the latter of whom is a distant relation of the family of Sultans. And
after Ihad discussed the affairs of the port for some little time with them, I
interviewed all the Sultans of Balahaf (except Husein, who was left in Aden)
and the Sultan of Bir Ali. Those present at this interview were—
Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla of Balahaf.
Sultan Hadi bin Saleh of Balahaf.
Sultan Mohsin bin Saleh of Balahaf.
Sultan Ahmed bin Saleh of Balahaf.
Sultan Saleh bin Ahmed of Bir Ali.
Abdulla bin Hussein, a cousin of the Sultans of Balahaf.
Sayid Omar bin Salim bin Aidaroos, a companion and supporter of Sultan Mohsin,
4. The interview lasted for some time and was rather difficult as it was
constantly interrupted by mutual recriminations between the Sultans. Sultan
Hadi bin Saleh vas evidently non compos mentis and Sultan Mohsin and
Sultan Saleh of Balahaf were both at times violent and troublesome.
5. On the following morning I landed at Balahaf in company with
Lieutenant Hamilton of the R. I. M. S. “Elphinstone” and Lieutenant
Hart of the Royal Garrison Artillery. I took an escort of six sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. of the
94th Russell’s Infantry under their Jemadar Sayid Jacoob who mounted
an independent guard over the fort which Sultan Mohsin has lately repaired
and where I held all the morning’s interviews. The escort behaved through
out the morning with excellent steadiness, and great credit is due to them and
also to the officers and crew of the R. I. M. S. “ Elphinstone” for the entire
absence of friction that attended all the proceedings.
6 . All the Sultans and tribesmen were drawn up in a long row along the
shore to receive me. Upon landing I shook hands and exchanged a few words
with some of them and then proceeded into the fort, where I proceeded to
again interview the Sultans and Sayids and all the leading Sheikhs of the
various tribes who bad assembled at Balahaf for the occasion. The following
is the list of the Sheikhs whom I interviewed, and from inquiries made on the
spot I ascertained that the majority of the tribes were fully and properly
represented :—
(1) Sheikh Saeed bin Nasir Al Jasari, the Sad al Habban. The most important Sheikh
in the district of Habban. He has about 400 followers or more and lives near
Habban.
(2) Sheikh Said bin Salim Suedan of the Sad al Sha’ ab, an important leader of the
tribe of Sad al Sha’ab. He has over a hundred followers and lives north of
Amakin in the Habban district.