'Report on Sur. By Major G. P. Murphy, I.A., Indian Political Department, Political Agent, Muscat' [‎88v] (10/20)

49. At first, however, the Government of India would not comply with
the Sultan’s request, claiming that the repression of crime and the
punishment of criminals was the duty of the Sultan, and that in return for
the responsibility which it has incurred in guaranteeing to Saiyid Turki the
payment of the Zanzibar subsidy and for other material aid which had been
afforded to Saiyid Turki from time to time, the Government of India might
fairly expect that the punishment of offenders in Oman would be effectually
-carried out, in so far at least as offences against British subjects were
concerned, without requisitions being made on the British Government for.
armed intervention.
50. The Sultan’s efforts to comply with this attitude of Government were
so feeble and ineffective that finally in July 1877 the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. was
authorised by Government to proceed to Sur in H.M.S. Teazer and convey
the Sultan’s demands.
51. When the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. arrived at Sur on the 24th July he
wrote to the Jenebeh enclosing His Highness’s order and warned them that
if they failed to comply within 24 hours, measures of a coercive nature
would follow. The Jenebeh had no recognised head at the time, the
nominal Sheikh being a boy as yet without authority, but several of the
leading men came on board in reply to the letter. 'They expressed their
readiness to comply with His Highness’s order, but explained that the
absence of a recognised authority amongst them rendered it necessary for
each member of the tribe to pay his share at once, as, were some to pay on
behalf of the rest, (heir chance of reimbursement would be small. On this
ground, and on the ground that several of their principal men were inland
lighting against the Bani Bu Hassan, they asked for an extension of time
and were allowed until sunset on the 25th.
52. By noon of the 25th, Jethanand’s claim amounting to $1,600 had been
satisfied, partly by a money payment and partly by a buggalow Large trading vessel. (or native
dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. ), of which he had received possession. At sunset the Governor of Sur
and Jethanand came on board. The former delivered to the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
$2,000 and the latter stated that his claim against the Jenebeh had been
fully satisfied.
Government expressed satisfaction with the results obtained and directed
that the fine of $2,000 should be paid to Saiyid Turki, after deducting the
expenses incurred in the measures which had been taken.
53. In 1885 Saiyids Faisal and Fahd went to Sur to endeavour to
obtain payment of certain customs duty from the Jenebeh, but were
unsuccessful.
54. In 1898 Suleiman bin Suweylim , who was the Sultan’s Wall of
Dhofar, Sur, and Sohar, went to Sur, where the inhabitants were being
encouraged by French agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. to make light of the Sultan’s authority. He
summoned the Sheikhs of the Jenebeh and informed them that in future he
would not respect Kltafir and would seize the persons and property of those
who belonged to tribes whom he considered unfriendly, even if in the house
of the “ Khafir ” himself. (When a party or caravan wish to pass through
the country of another tribe, they take with them as escort a man belonging
to the tribe through whose country they wish to pass. The party or
caravan is then safe from attack, and this is known as the “ Khafir” system.
It is respected to such an extent that members of a tribe travelling under
this protection through the country of a tribe with which they even have a
blood feud, are safe.)
55. This aroused the greatest indignation amongst the Jenebeh. Suleiman
then proceeded to Muscat, leaving his son, a lad of 12 or 13 years, in charge
of the place. Later he wrote to his son at Sur, ordering him to build a fort
at a spot which would at once command both the water supply of the town
and the caravan route to the interior. Such a fort would have enabled
the Sultan to overcome the Jenebeh and ensure a large increase in the
revenue derived from the customs at Sur. About this time Suleiman’s son
threatened to shoot a gardener, and actually did shoot a bullock and cut