IOR/L/PS/9/50

The volume consists of despatches to the Duke of Argyll, Secretary of State for India, from Atkins Hamerton, Acting Political Agent, Muscat, dated 18 February-29 March 1869, and from Herbert Disbrowe, Political Agent, Muscat, dated 2 April-11 December 1869. The despatches contain enclosures consisting of correspondence sent and received by the Political Agent and Acting Political Agent, dated 17 September 1868-9 December 1869.

The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to events in Muscat and Oman. Folios 95-137 cover the revolt led by Syud Azan bin Ghes [Sayyid ‘Azzān bin Qays Āl Bū Sa‘īd] in September and October 1868 that deposed Syud Salim [Sayyid Sālim bin Thuwaynī Āl Bū Sa‘īd] as Sultan. They detail the events of the revolt and discuss British policy during it, particularly relating to the maintenance of neutrality and the protection of British subjects and property. The remainder of the volume relates to the subsequent rule of Syud Azan as Imaum [Imām] and Sultan, including:

• Syud Azan’s continuing efforts to consolidate his rule over the whole of Oman
• Considerations over whether the British Government should officially recognise Syud Azan as Sultan. A dynastic history of the rival claimants, with a simplified family tree, is included on folios 144-148
• Possible threats to Syed Azan’s rule from Syud Salim and from Salim’s uncles Syud Toorkee [Sayyid Turkī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and Syud Majib [Sayyid Mājid bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Zanzibar
• Considerations over provision for the wives and children of the late Sultan Syud Thoweynee [Sayyid Thuwaynī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd] remaining in Muscat, and their subsequent journey to Zanzibar
• An agreement between Syud Azan and the Government of France for establishing a French Consulate at Muscat, and placing an agent there for a planned new steamer line between Marseilles and Bussorah [Basra] via the Suez Canal. A copy of the letter of agreement is on folios 180-182
• The capture of Gwadur [Gwadar] by Syud Salim’s brother Syud Nasir [Sayyid Nāṣir bin Thuwaynī Āl Bū Sa‘īd], and British prevention of Syud Azan sending a force by sea to re-take it
• The capture of Brymee [Al Buraymi] by Syud Azan from Wahabee [Wahhābī] forces
• Complaints by British and British Indian merchants over changes made in Muscat under Syud Azan’s rule, particularly relating to the newly imposed bans on playing music and on the sale or possession of tobacco, including instances of stockpiles of tobacco being seized and burnt without compensation
• A claim by Syud Azan of rightful ownership of the Prince of Wales, the ship on which Syud Salim left Muscat and later sold to a British Indian merchant
• An incident in which HM gun boat Clyde was fired upon from the fort at Muscat
• A series of disagreements between Disbrowe and Lewis Pelly, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, over policy towards Muscat and Syud Azan.

As well as the Political Agent and Acting Political Agent, the primary correspondents are: Syud Azan and members of his Government; Syud Salim; Syud Nasir; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent, Zanzibar; Ahmed bin Mahomed Ali [Aḥmad bin Muḥammad ‘Alī], Vizier to Syud Salim and later Governor of Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbas]; E Elton, Commanding HM gun boat Clyde; C H McGill, Agent of the British India Steam Navigation Company; and various British subjects residing in Oman.

There are two documents in Arabic: a letter from Saeed bin Khulfan Khuleelee [Sa‘īd bin Khalfān al-Khalīlī], a senior member of Syud Azan’s Government, to the Political Agent, asserting its right to keep its fortresses supplied by moving arms and men by sea (folio 318); and a letter from Syud Azan to the Political Agent detailing his capture of Brymee (folio 377, with an English translation on folios 428-429).