"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٤‎٨‎٣] (١٧٨٢/٦٢٦)

ilpf'w-
483
events showed, no sympathy existed in political matters between its
exponents and the WahLabi power. Discontent was soon rampant in more
than one quarter, for fines and confiscations were numerous, yet the pay
of the troops was in arrear. Foreign trade declined, and the revenue
afforded by the customs became insufficient for the needs of government.
But the energy of 'Azzan was equal to all emergencies ; and, while
the Khalili at the beginning of 1869 lorded it at Masqat and kept his
paster—as was currently reported—on very short commons financially,
'Azzan marched from Barkah with 3,000 men and two guns against the
refractory tribes of Wadi Samail and its tributaries. In February 1869,
after reducing Ghailah, Milaiyinah and Nafa ah, he completely humbled
the Siyabiyin, who were then his principal adversaries. Having effected
a junction at Nafa'ah with his supporter Salih-bin-'Ali, who brought with
him from Samad a contingent of 1,500 Hirth, Hajriyin, Habus and
others, 'Azzan succeeded, notwithstanding the difficult nature of their
country, in chastising also the Nidabiyin and Rahbiyin, who were sympa
thisers of the Siyabiyin. The enterprise had been regarded by onlookers
as rash and even suicidal ; and the complete success of 'Azzan e\ i den cod
an ability and force of character to which 'Oman had long been unaccus
tomed in her rulers. Sohar, Samail, Masna'ah and Sur had alieady
submitted to his authority, without even an attempt at resistance.
Early in his reign 'Azzan seems to have been proclaimed Imam by
his priestly supporters j but it does not appear that the title, though
often applied to him, ever received the needful ratification by the tiibes
of 'Oman as a whole.
Proceedings of 'Azzan's rivals, 1868-69.
Military suc
cesses of
'Azzan and
rapid exten
sion of bis
authority,
'Azzin de
scribed as
" Imam,"
ibat-
1 to tn®^
thus ^
Salim, the deposed prince, having been cautioned by the Biitish
authorities not to disturb the maritime peace by a na\ al expedition against Thuwaini in
'Oman, crossed privately from Bandar 'Abbas to Dibai and entered into of .Q man)
negotiations with the Sadairi agent who represented the Wahhabis at 186 q.
Baraimi, with the object of arranging an attack by land upon Azzan. In
April 1869, however, the violent death of the Wahhabi agent at Shaija
deprived Salim of the aid upon which he cliiefly relied , and, though m
May he made a tour by way of Barkah, Izki and Nizwa to the Ja alan
district and returned northwards vid Birkat -al-Moz, he was unab.e
secure any active support.
.