Badr bin Saif

Last updated
Badr bin Saif
Born
Badr bin Saif Al-Busaidi
Died1806
Naaman, Oman
NationalityOmani
Known forRegent of Oman

Badr bin Saif, or Bedr bin Seif (died 1806) was a member of the Al Said dynasty of Oman. In 1804 he became regent while the heirs to the sultanate were minors. When he attempted to increase his power in 1806 he was killed.

Contents

Early years

Badr bin Saif was the son of Saif bin Ahmad, one of the sons of Ahmad bin Said al-Busaidi, the first sultan of the Al Said dynasty. [1] His uncle, Sultan bin Ahmad, became ruler of Oman in 1792. [2] While Sultan was away on a pilgrimage to Mecca early in 1803, Badr bin Saif made an attempt to get control of Fort Al Jalali, a key stronghold guarding Muscat harbor. The story is that he was being smuggled into the fort in a large box, but was detected by a Hindu trader. He managed to escape and took refuge in Qatar. [3] In Zubarah in Qatar he asked for protection from the Wahhabis, and adopted their beliefs. They helped him with two abortive attempts to take Muscat. He then travelled to Najd and met the Amir Saud, who made him welcome. [4]

Sultan bin Ahmad left on an expedition to Basra in 1804. [5] He died near the island of Qeshm in mid-November 1804 during a minor skirmish. [6] Sultan had appointed Mohammed bin Nasir bin Mohammed al-Jabry the Regent and guardian of his two young sons, Salim bin Sultan and Said bin Sultan. [5]

Dynastic power struggle

After Sultan's death the tribes to the north broke away from Omani authority, while a struggle for power broke out within the ruling family. Badr bin Saif, based in Muscat, gained the support of the Wahhabi leader, Su'ud, in this contest. [6] The former sultan's brother Qais bin Ahmad decided to try to seize power. Early in 1805 he joined forces with his younger brother Mohammed and marched down the coast to Muttrah, which he took with little opposition. Mohammed bin Nasir tried to buy Qais off with a large monthly annuity. Qais refused since he had growing support and was confident of success, and continued to besiege Muscat. Mohammed bin Nasir called on Badr bin Saif for help. [5]

Badr bin Saif arrived at Muscat just in time to forestall its capitulation. He also arranged for the Wahabbis to attack Sohar as a diversion. Qais agree to lift the siege in return for being given Al Khaburah and part of the Batinah. A month later Qais returned and again took Muttrah, but was forced to withdraw when a large seaborne force of Wahabbis appeared. He accepted peace on the grounds that he would gain Muttrah as well as the other places he had taken, and a monthly subsidy. [7] In July Qais broke his engagement and again advanced on Muscat. The Wahabbis again attacked Sohar, while Said bin Sultan advanced into the Samail valley. Kais was forced to make peace, and gave up Muttrah and his subsidy. [7]

Effective ruler

The rulers of Bahrain, the Al Kalifah, had come under the power of the Wahabbis. They were forced to leave members of their families in Zubarah as hostages to their loyalty. In 1805 they appealed for protection from Badr bin Saif, now the effective ruler of Muscat. He sent warships and helped them evacuate their family from Zubarah to Bahrain. The Al Kalifah then asked the British Resident in Muscat, Captain David Seton, if the British would provide one or two gunboats to help them and Badr bin Saif keep the Wahhabis under control in the Persian Gulf. Seton recommended acceptance, but the British did not want to become involved in Bahraini politics. The next year the Al Kalifah declared their independence of Badr bin Saif. [8]

By 1805 the people of Muscat were becoming concerned with Badr's close relations with the Wahhabis. He paid tribute and maintenance for a force of 400 Wahabbi cavalry stationed at Barka. He also enforced the strict Wahhabi doctrines, destroyed the minarets of Ibadi and Sunni mosques and enforced regular attendance at prayers. [9] At one point the Wahhabi leader called on Badr to attack India as part of the Jihad. He was forced to stall since this would mean attacking his British allies. [10]

In 1806 there were further inconclusive military operations against Kais in Sohar. The same year Badr bin Saif began to make moves to increase his power. He made his ward Salim bin Sultan governor of Al Maşna‘ah, on the Batinah coast and Said bin Sultan governor of Barka to remove them from government affairs. [11]

Death

Badr bin Saif died on 31 July 1806. [1] [lower-alpha 1] He was lured to Burka and attacked by Said bin Sultan at Naaman, a nearby village. There are different accounts of what happened, but it seems clear that Said struck the first blow and his supporters finished the job. Said was acclaimed by the people as a liberator from the Wahhabis, who left the country. Qais bin Ahmad at once gave his support to Said. Nervous of the Wahhabi reaction, Said blamed Mohammed bin Nasir for the murder. [12]

Badr bin Saif left two sons, Hamud and Saif. Hamud became deputy governor of Rustaq in 1833. [1]

Related Research Articles

History of Oman Aspect of history

Oman is the site of pre-historic human habitation, stretching back over 100,000 years. The region was impacted by powerful invaders, including other Arab tribes, Portugal and Britain. Oman once possessed the island of Zanzibar, on the east coast of Africa as a colony. Oman also held Gwadar as a colony for many years.

Muscat Capital of Oman

Muscat is the capital city and is the most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was 1.4 million as of September 2018. The metropolitan area spans approximately 3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi) and includes six provinces called wilayats. Known since the early 1st century AD as an important trading port between the west and the east, Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the Persians, the Portuguese Empire, the Iberian Union and the Ottoman Empire at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century, Muscat's influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat attracted foreign tradesmen and settlers such as the Persians and the Balochis. Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society. Muscat is termed as a Beta - Global City by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.

Said bin Sultan Sultan of Muscat and Oman

Sayyid Said bin Sultan al-Busaidi, was Sultan of Muscat and Oman, the fifth ruler of the Busaid dynasty from 1807 to 4 June 1856. His rule commenced following the death of his father, Sultan bin Ahmad, in November 1804 and a period of conflict and internecine rivalry of succession that followed. He is often referred to as the Lion of Oman, as one of the greatest Omani sultans. Said's brother Qais bin Ahmad finally agreed to Said's primacy following Said's killing of his cousin, Badar bin Saif, a pretender to the throne. He is noted for having moved his capital to Zanzibar, during which time the Omani Empire reached the zenith of its power and wealth.

Shaikh Isa Bin Tarif Al Bin Ali was chief of Al-Bida, known today as Doha, the capital of Qatar, as well as the chief of the Al Bin Ali tribe from the beginning of the 19th century until his death in 1847. He was described by the political agents in the Persian Gulf as being one of the most energetic and powerful chiefs in the Gulf region

House of Busaid Ruling dynasty of the Sultanate of Oman and Zanzibar

The House of Busaid, also known as Al Said dynasty, is the current ruling royal house of the Sultanate of Oman, and former ruling royal house of the Omani empire, Sultanate of Muscat and Oman and the Sultanate of Zanzibar. It was founded by Ahmad bin Said al-Busaidi, ruler of Oman and its east African territories at the time.

Al Jalali Fort Fort in the harbor of Old Muscat, Oman.

Al Jalali Fort, or Ash Sharqiya Fort, is a fort in the harbor of Old Muscat, Oman. The fort was built by the Portuguese under Philip I of Portugal in the 1580s to protect the harbor after Muscat had twice been sacked by Ottoman forces. It fell to Omani forces in 1650. During the civil wars between 1718 and 1747, the fort was twice captured by Persians who had been invited to assist one of the rival Imams. The fort was extensively rebuilt later.

Omani Empire 1696–1856 maritime empire

The Omani Empire was a maritime empire, vying with Portugal and Britain for trade and influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence or control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran and Pakistan, and as far south as Cape Delgado. After the death of Said bin Sultan in 1856 the empire was divided between his sons into two sultanates, an African section ruled by Majid bin Said and an Asian section ruled by Thuwaini bin Said.

Yarubids Rulers of Oman between 1624 and 1742

The Yarubid dynasty were rulers of Oman between 1624 and 1742, holding the title of Imam. They expelled the Portuguese from coastal strongholds in Muscat and united the country. They improved agriculture, expanded trade and built up Oman into a major maritime power. Their forces expelled the Portuguese from East Africa north of Mozambique and established long-lasting settlements on Zanzibar, Mombasa and other parts of the coast. The dynasty lost power during a succession struggle that started in 1712 and fell after a prolonged period of civil war.

Sultan bin Saif bin Malik was the second of the Yaruba dynasty of Imams of Oman, a member of the Ibadi sect. He ruled from 1649 to 1679. He completed the work of his predecessor, Nasir bin Murshid, in driving the Portuguese out of Oman. Their last base in Muscat fell to his forces in January 1650. He built up Omani sea power, taking the fight against the Portuguese to their bases in India and East Africa. During his reign the country was peaceful and increasingly prosperous.

Nasir bin Murshid was the founder of the Yaruba dynasty of Imams of Oman, a member of the Ibadi sect. He ruled from 1624 to 1649. He took power during a chaotic period when the former dynasty had collapsed and the interior of the country was lawless, while the Portuguese held the main coastal ports. In a series of campaigns he established his authority over the Omani tribes and expelled the Portuguese from most of their bases.

Saif bin Sultan II was the sixth of the Yaruba dynasty of Imams of Oman, a member of the Ibadi sect. He held the position of Imam four times during a chaotic period of civil war and invasion by Persian forces.

Ahmad bin Said al-Busaidi was the first ruler of Oman of the Al Said dynasty. He came to power during a period when Oman was divided by civil war, and the Persians had occupied large parts of the country. During his long rule as Imam the country prospered and regained its leading position in the Persian Gulf.

Bal'arab bin Himyar was an Omani Imam, a member of Yaruba dynasty. He was elected Imam in 1728, holding power in the interior of Oman while his cousin, Saif bin Sultan II, held power on the coast. In 1737, he renounced his claim after being defeated by Saif's Persian allies. He was again elected Imam in 1743 during another Persian invasion, and again held power in the interior while Ahmad bin Said al-Busaidi was recognized as ruler by the coastal people. He died in battle against Ahmad bin Said in 1749, who shortly after became the undisputed ruler of the country.

Sultan bin Murshid was one of the rival Imams during the civil wars in Oman in the final years of the Yaruba dynasty. He was elected Imam in 1742 in place of Saif bin Sultan II. His predecessor called on the Persians for assistance. In mid-1743 Sultan bin Murshid died while defending the town of Sohar against the Persian force.

Muhammad bin Nasir al-Ghafiri was one of the rival Imams during the civil wars in Oman in the final years of the Yaruba dynasty.

Said bin Ahmad was briefly the Imam and Sultan of Oman, the second of the Al Said dynasty, ruling the country between 1783 and 1786.

Sultan bin Ahmad al Busaidi was the Sultan of Oman, the fourth of the Busaid dynasty dynasty, ruling the country between 1792 and 1804.

Salim bin Sultan was joint Sultan of Oman with his brother Said bin Sultan, ruling between 1804 and 1806.

Qais bin Ahmad was the third son of Ahmad bin Sa'id Al-Busaidi, the first Sultan of Oman of the Al Said dynasty. After his father's death he made more than one attempt to gain the throne.

Tariq bin Taimur was a member of the Omani royal family who became president of the Council of Ministers of Oman.

References

Notes

  1. According to Samuel Barrett Miles he died in March 1807. [12] Most other sources support a death in 1806.

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 Buyers 2012, p. 3.
  2. Thomas 2011, p. 224.
  3. Miles 1919, p. 296-297.
  4. Miles 1919, p. 297.
  5. 1 2 3 Miles 1919, p. 304.
  6. 1 2 Jones 2012, p. 287.
  7. 1 2 Miles 1919, p. 305.
  8. Smith, Smart & Pridham 2004.
  9. Miles 1919, p. 307.
  10. Ochs 1999, p. 112-113.
  11. Miles 1919, p. 308.
  12. 1 2 Miles 1919, p. 309.

Sources