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'File 8/62 IV PRINCIPAL SHAIKHS & TRIBES OF OMAN.' [‎12r] (23/282)

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The record is made up of 1 file (137 folios). It was created in 6 Dec 1950-25 Dec 1951. It was written in English. 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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©
A
reactionary rbadhis, and this fact may help towards an
understanding of the extreme caution invariably displayed by
the Sultan in sponsoring any move for modernisation or
development. What may seem depressingly slow to a western
mind may be considered dangerously fast in this backwater of
Arabia. It also explains, though not necessarily excuses,
certain tiresome petty restrictions in the capital.
Shaikh Sulaiman bin Hamyar, who is ambitious and more
progressive than most of the Shaikhs, has also ideas of
securing recognition of himself as an independent Shaikh, and
has made certain overtures, without success, to the British
authorities, and, it is thought, may now be looking into the
possibilities of achieving his purpose through American and Saudi
contacts. Besides him and Salih bin Isa, the only other
Shaikhs enjoying complete power and backing of their tribes
to the extent of imposing capital punishment are Saif bin Amir
of the Beni f Ali in Dhahirah and Nasir bin Mohammad of Beni bu
’Ali in Ja ! alan, and it is through these men that the Sultan
hopes to be able to extend his influence over the tribes of the
interior. Saif bin Amir is already a close friend and may
prove helpful in the Buraimi area*,
The Imam recently demonstrated that his rule still
possesses considerable virility when he raised and successfully
delegated a force of three or four hundred to recover some
kidnapped women a.nd to deal with certain leaders of Dnahirah
suspected of complicity. This was done in co-operation v/ith
the Muscat Government, and there have been other signs of a
certain unity of mind and of purpose existing between the
Sultan, Imam and the more powerful leaders, mentioned above,
in dealing with external influences, whilst a number of smaller
Shaikhs in the Jau and Mahadhah tracts (Beni Ka'ab, el Na f im
and al bu Shami have been writing affirming their loyalty
and recognition of the Sultan. Though Sulaiman bin hamyar
and one or two of the Buraimi Shaikhs show signs of willingness
to negotiate for oil development the bulk of the Shaikhs of the
interior, headed by the Imam, appear solidly op >osed to ic or
to any exploitation by Europeans or Americans, and the Sultan
is convinced that it is still unsafe and premature for attempts
to be made, and that no single Shaikh could enter into
direct negotiations without bringing all the others against him,
thus rendering him impotent. ^
At present, therefore, Oman enjoys a.spell of peace
almost withoutparallel in its turbulent history, but upon the
death ^f the Imam, and bid for power by rival elements which
will surely follow, the situation is liable to any development.
Much will depend- upon the ground which the Sultan^has been able
to gain, and the evidence of support which is forthcoming
from the powers with whom he has treaties.
The Sultans have almost invariably asked for and received
suoport both Naval and Military, from the British Government
in' their struggles with the tribes of Oman. The most recent
occasion was shortly after the accession of the present Sultan,
when three sloops, including H.M.S. Shoreham with the Sultan,
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and 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. on board, concentrated at Sur, whilst ^
demonstration by R.A.F. sea planes from abase established at
Khor Jaramah was carried out to bring Shaikh All bin Abdulla
al Hamud of the Beni bu Ali to order after he had defined
the Sultan over the establishment of a Customs post.

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Content

This file relates to the principal shaikhs and tribes of Oman, and also to the Imam of Oman's administration. It largely consists of copies of (and various amendments to) two reports. The first of these is an account by 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. and Consul at Muscat entitled 'Notes on the Tribes of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman' (full versions found at folios 11-37 and folios 90-116, the latter of which includes an enclosed map). This account provides written summaries of the main tribes, plus tables with further details, including principal settlements, estimated population, and estimated number of rifles.

The second report is entitled 'A Note on the Imam's Administration in the interior of Oman' (ff 3-9 and ff 38-44). It includes details on the extent of the Imam's administration, a list of the tribes that currently support the Imam, and a list of walis appointed by the Imam.

The correspondence, most of which is between 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. and the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , mainly concerns details from, and revisions 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. 's aforementioned account on the tribes of Muscat and Oman.

Extent and format
1 file (137 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 139; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence between ff 95-138, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'File 8/62 IV PRINCIPAL SHAIKHS & TRIBES OF OMAN.' [‎12r] (23/282), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/245, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100069907939.0x000018> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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