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‘File XXIX/4 THE IMAM’S RISING 1913-1920. RISING of IMAM of NIZWA JAN. 1915 & ATTACK ON BAIT-al-FALAJ JAN. 1915’ [‎42r] (93/836)

The record is made up of 1 volume (405 folios). It was created in 23 Dec 1914-31 Oct 1916. It was written in English and Arabic. 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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c©nvera&ti«m
It wa» als© generally stated in the Katra and ^aaeat bazaars that
50 ©f the rebels Imd dressed themselves in clean whit® clsthes as
leaders #f the ” true keel emu 11 .
The recKlessness and vigeur ©f the attack eaae,Ithlnk/, as a sur
prize t© everyone• The movement under normal ccnditicns would pr©
bahly have ended in nothing as it has always done before; but the
eonviotion that we were toe preoccupied elsewhere to send naval or
military assistance and the fact that German influence had "been in
directly at work no doubt stimulated the rebels into wmxm wgip ±»igy
attempting something more serious.
The present experience has taught us at least two things (l) that
the enemy are brave and enterprising, and Mwardes tells me excell
ent shots and adepts at taking cover (2) that the present garrison
is insufficient to hold more than Bait al >’alaj and even that Id ward-
es considers very difficult. All told we have about 930 men and
vary many are sick. The 102nd are full of malaria. I think Edward©
load been able t© only
said that he tedxMH put about 350 men/in to the firing
line on the 11th* The protecting are -.Dars&it to Si dap- is a big
one and as you know very difficult country.
The latest/ reports are that the Imam has retired having no
further stomach for the fight, Isa is badly wounded and Hamyar still
means to go on with it. Parties of the enemy are still reported in
the neighbourhood. It therefore seems likely that they will not
repeat the attack,and the Dalheusie and the reinforcements may arr
ive when 3£bfk quiet has agism been restored. hut it is a question
whether, until some sort of an xg settlement is arrived at with the 1
Imam either peaceably or by marching into his country, mmm the garr*
-istm here ought not t© be increased • I fear the question of re
ducing it must be deferred for some little time.
H.H. has naturally been very much alarmed. He visited me at
all hours of the day and night. He had made all arrangmente t©
move into Jelali Port with his family. He now thinks that the
enemy have expended all their force ©n this attack and will not lift
up their heads again- especially if Isa dies of his wounds. He is
rj&Bt grateful to the British Government. As I close this Ed war
a

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Content

The volume contains correspondence in the form of reports, memoranda, and a considerable number of translated letters of notable local Omani shaikhs and members of al-Bu Sa‘id ruling family. The correspondence is mainly concerned with the rising of the Imam of Oman, Salim bin Rashid al-Kharusi against the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Taimur bin Fayṣal bin Turki al-Bu Sa‘idi, and the former’s attack on Muscat in 1915. The Imam’s coalition included Omani tribal leaders, Himyar bin Nasir al-Nabhani, and ‘Isa bin Saleh al-Harthi, who were rising against the existence of the British forces in Muscat and the Sultan’s reliance on the British in his rule. The Imam’s forces met at Sama'il and led their way from there to attack the British forces’ garrison at Bait al-Falaj. Upon the attack, British officials, 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. , Muscat 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. , Bushire, in particular reported on the number of casualties from both sides. The attack has raised concerns of more attacks to take place in the future.

Among other issues raised in the volume are:

  • current situation in various regions including Sama'il, Nizwa, Sib and others
  • previous rising led by the Imam, Azzan bin Qais
  • the communication made with the Government of India about the possibility of sending more troops to Muscat in order to assist the existing ones, and the expenses involved in such a step
  • the position of the French in Muscat
  • 'Isa bin Saleh’s efforts for peace
  • the suggestion that 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. , Muscat, could act as a mediator between the two sides
  • the possible peace negotiations
  • the Imam’s conditions for making peace, including: the full recognition of the Sharia Law as practiced by the Imam in the interior, the settlement of the financial claims due to the inhabitants in the interior, and the absolute prohibition of the import of wines, spirits and tobaccos
  • news of the First World War
  • the influence the Imam has on his followers and his anti-British propaganda, seeing the British as enemies of Islam
  • the spread of pro-German feelings among the tribes of the Sharqiyya region
  • news that the Emperor of Germany has converted to Islam

The majority of the correspondence in the volume is dated 1915.

Extent and format
1 volume (405 folios)
Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 407; 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 8-398; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. The file has one foliation anomaly, f 241A.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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‘File XXIX/4 THE IMAM’S RISING 1913-1920. RISING of IMAM of NIZWA JAN. 1915 & ATTACK ON BAIT-al-FALAJ JAN. 1915’ [‎42r] (93/836), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/45, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100071566786.0x00005e> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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