Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎36v] (72/678)

It is difficult to say what the population of Abu Dhabi is, but the town
itself may have a fluctuating population of not less than 4,000. 1 e ne s
territories extend inland almost as far as Brymee, and his subjects an epen
dents including the townsfolk of Abu Dhabi may amount to between ve an
six thousand. Besides this he may have some 5,000 Bedouins who owe
allegiance but pay no tribute. There are some 50 Hindu traders li v i^ a t u
Dhabi. Most of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi live by pearl fishing, a e
growing and camel transport.
The only recent event of any importance in the history of Abu Dhabi, is
the intrigue which was got up in 1899 between the Darya Begi, the Persian
Governor of Bushire, and Sheikh Zaid bin Khaleefa, having for its appaient
object the separation of the Abu Dhabi Chief from the other Trucial Chiefs.
The outward signs of this intrigue were the adoption of a special flag by the
Chief of Abu Dhabi and a firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). and presents from the Shah and Darya Begi.
The Chief was made to revert to his former flag and his apology in regard to
the other matter was accepted. Since then nothing of any particular impor-
tance has occurred as regards the Chief of Abu Dhabi.
C. A. KEMBALL, Lieut.-Col,
Offg. Folitical Resident in the Fersicm Gulf.
F S. —I have not been able to ascertain from my records the exact date
of Shaikh Zaid’s succession. It appears that it was in 1855 that he ousted
Shaikh Syeed bin Tahnoon. My records do not show that Shaikh Syeed was.
killed by Shaikh Zaid but I was informed by the Chief of Bahrein who is well
up in all matters pertaining to the Chiefs on the Arab Coast that this was the
case.
DEBATE.
The present Chief is Sheikh Makhtoom bin Hashar of A1 bu Falasah
tribe. This tribe is a branch of the Beniyas and seceded from Abu Dhabi in
1834. Sheikh Makhtoom bin Hashar succeeded bis uncle Rashid bin Makhtoom
on the latter’s death in 1894. The succession was brought about peaceably
though Rashid bin Makhtoom had six sons, three of whom were of age.
Nothing of any particular importance has occurred at Debaye of recent
years. The Chief, Sheikh Makhtoom bin Hashar, appears to be the most in
telligent of the Trucial Chiefs and his town is fast increasing in importance and
will soon, it is believed, be the most important place, from a trade point of
view, on the coast. Steamers of the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation
Company call there regularly and it is gradually supplanting Lin^ah as the
entrepot for goods for the Arab Coast.
The town may have some 3,000 or 4,000 inhabitants. There a^e between
50 and 60 British Indian subjects, Hindus and Khojahs, living in the place
The people are almost entirely engaged in pearl fishing. The nrAcPnt nn; Q p»J
of 1853 and to the engagements of 1847 re]
with regard to relations with other powers.
2
C. A. KEMBALL, Lieut.-Col.,
Offy* Folitical Resident in the Fersian Gulf.