'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I: Historical and Political Materials: Précis of Nejd Affairs, 1804-1904.' [‎30r] (59/68)

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XLIII.—Hostilities between Abdullah-bin-Feysal and Ibn Rashid,
1882 — 18 b 6 .
205. The death of Amir Feysal of Nejd was soon followed by internecine
civil wars between his sons Abdullah and Sand. This afforded Mahomed Ibn
Rashid opportunities to extend bis power and consolidate his control over the
tribes in Nejd adjoining his territory. The important tribe of Majma in Kasim
placed itself under his protection. He gradually detached from the Nejdean
principality the two rich districts of Boreydah and Sedeyyir. Though nominally
vassal of the Wahabi Amir, Ibn Rashid was virtually independent of him,
and made attempts to extend more and more his dominion in his lord’s terri
tory.
206. In the autumn of 1832, Ahdullah-bin Eeysal endeavoured to recover the
district of Majma in Kasim. This attempt
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Reiidency Administration Report brought the latter chieftain into the field,
for is^-sa. Abdullah, outnumbered, retired to
Riadh. There he learned that Ibn Rashid had entered into correspondence
with his nephews, the sons of Saud, and had made overtures to them with a view
to inducing them to take part against their uncle, or else to remain neutral.
This, apparently, alarmed Abdullah, who, therefore, in March 1883, placed his
relations with his nephews on a new footing, under which Abdullah-bin-
Reysal was recognized as “ Imam,” or religious head of the Wahabis of Riadh,
and the military power was entrusted to Mahomed-bin-Saud as Military Com-
» v.. * •, t 0 oo ^ t o 4 mander. Mahomed-bin- Saud, supported by
A Political E., April 1883, No*. 178-74. . . . r* i t tot t
a Political e., September 1883, No*. 99 . 105 . the tribes Ateybah, Suhul, and Sobeyyah,
a Political e , January issi, No* 308-39. marched against the tribe Bureyyah, and
carried away numerous camels and cattle.
Hostilities then commenced between the Al-Saud and the chief of Jebel-
Shammar. The chief tribes which rallied to the standard of Mahomed-bin-
Saud were the Ateybah, the Kahtan, the Moteyr, the Sflbeydah, the Suhul, the
Howasir, the Ajman, the Almorah, or rather fragments of those tribes.
Mahomed Ibn Rashid commanded the Shammar, Harb, and Boreyah tribes.
Their hostile operations did not go beyond raids and counter raids into one
another’s territories. Neither side appears to have gained any decisive successes.
207. Mahomed-bin-Saud was however soon alienated from his uncle
Abdullah, he appears to have learned from intercepted letters that Abdullah
was intriguing for his defeat and murder and thereupon threw up the com-
, T , oor XT maud of the forces, and-retired with his
External A., January 1885, ^*os. 16-18. -brothers to Kharj. While the Wahabi
Amir’s party was growing weaker, the Abel-Shammar Sheikh, grew more power
ful every day. He was reported to be friendly with the Sheikh of Koweit.
208. In April 1885 Ibn Rashid attacked two sub-tribes of the Ajman, who
were encamped at the waters of Owaineh to the north of Hasa and plundered
their bouses and cattle. The Ajman tribe having subsequently received rein
forcements, pursued Ibn Rashid and succeeded in re-cap'turiug some of their
horses and killing others. This incursion by Ibn Rashid was reported to be
due to the Ajman tribe having attacked some people under his protection.
209. In May 1886 a Turkish mission went to Hail to induce Mahomed
Ibn Rashid to allow the erection of a mosque and a Government school at that
place. Mahomed Ibn Rashid dismissed
External A., November 1886, Nos. 137-141. ^ mission witll presents but without
acceding to their request. It was also reported that in the previous year (1885)
valuable presents had been taken to Mahomed Ibn Rashid by the Turkish head
of the mission, with a view to induce him to allow the erection of a mosque and
school at Hayil.
Mahomed Ibn Rashid reported to be in command in 1886 of a force of
2.000 horse-men, 15,000 foot and camel men, and had four field pieces, also
1.000 breech-loading rifles.