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'File 8/62 IV PRINCIPAL SHAIKHS & TRIBES OF OMAN.' [‎14r] (27/282)

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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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For a better understanding of these notes a
brief enumeration of the provinces or districts of
the Sultanate may be helpful here. To the north
covering the whole tip of the Oman promontory is the
Poius al Jibal. Southward (omitting Shamailiyah which
is not Sultanate territory) is the Batinah - the
coastal plain reaching down almost to Muscat e West
of the Batinah is Western Hajar, which includes the
Jibal Akhdar mountain range. Further inland is
DHAHIRAH and, somewhat north, the Jau and Mahadhah
tracts, both of doubtful ownership. South and East
lie Oman proper, Eastern Hajar and Sharqiyah, and
then following the coast southward, Jala*an, Batain and,
finally, at the southernmost extremity, adjoining the
Hadramaut of the Aden Protectorate, Dhofar,
The present situation is one of geheral peace,
v/ith the Sultan’s influence slightly increasing in
the coastal districts, e,g, Batinah, Dhofar and
Sharqiyah and far better established than in his
father’s day. It seems a pity that so many of his
Walis are s^ie cted from his own tribe and are often
near relations. In Oman proper and Dhahihrah, and East
and West Hajar ? the Triumvirate continue their rule,
and when it comes to it, it seems that the vote
will almost certainly be for continuation of the
Imamship in a person other than the Sultan, otherwise
this independence will be lost, and at present the
most likely candidate, and one who certain quarters
insist has already been nominated, is the second son
of the previous Imam, Abdulla bin Salim bin Rashid al
Kharusi, aged at present about thirtyeight. However,
though seventytwo and despite recurring rumours of
failing health, the present Imam is by no means yet
dead or even dying,
A still more nebulous condition prevails in the
Buraimi (i,e, Jau) area, There it v/ould seem that
neither the Imam nor the Sultan nor any other chief
has any paramount authority and the four chief tribes
claimed by the Sultan to be Omani and within his
territories, the Naim, Beni Ka’ab, Beni Qitab and Al
Bu Shamis (actually an offshoot of the Naim) are
virtually independent and likely to remain so until it
is seen who wins in the bid for oil expected to be
developed in that neighbourhood. Nearly all the
Shaikhs visited the Sultan in 1948 and received hospitality
and presents from him. The general consensus of opinion
however, seems to have been that he v/as niggardly in his
gifts and not many will feel it worth the effort or the
trouble to come again. The Sultan is certainly careful
with his money, and reports of his large increase in
revenue from Customs with no corresponding increase in
largesse or amenities have also aroused unfavourable
comment in quarters other than purely tribal. But in
this case the Sultan probably realises the dominating
influence of the two principal Hinawi and Ghafiri
Shaikhs, and has concentrated upon them. He certainly
treated them handsomely enough as can be seen from the
notes upon their tribes, though to what avail time only
will show.
/Religion,,,

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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.

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English in Latin script
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'File 8/62 IV PRINCIPAL SHAIKHS & TRIBES OF OMAN.' [‎14r] (27/282), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/245, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100069907939.0x00001c> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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