IOR/F/4/190/4155

The item consists of correspondence regarding the situation in Muscat after the death in 1804 of the Imam Syed Sultan [Sultan bin Ahmad Al Bu Sa’id] and efforts to counter the naval activities of the Joasmee [Al-Qasimi] in the Gulf. The correspondence is particularly concerned with the capture by the Joasmee of two British ships, the Shannon and the Trimmer, and the eventual return of the Trimmer as part of a truce.

Other topics covered include:

· An attempted coup by Syed Gheiss [Qais bin Ahmad Al Bu Sa’id], the brother of the late Imam

· An Omani expedition to recover Gombroon [Bandar Abbas] from Mullah Hussain [Molla Husayn], ruler of Kishem [Qeshm]

· The establishment of a permanent Residency at Muscat.

The correspondence consists mainly of letters between the Government of Bombay and the Resident at Muscat. The other correspondents are: Mullah Hussain; Syed Gheiss; the Resident at Bussora [Basra]; the Resident at Bushire; Sultan ben Suggur [Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi], Emir of Sharjah; and Syed Beder [Badr bin Saif Al Bu Sa’id], Regent of Oman.

The bulk of the item dates from the years 1805 and 1806, the earlier date range includes copies of the Anglo-Omani Agreement of 1798 and an amendment to it from 1800 (ff 17-19).