Book Description

The First Book Devoted Exclusively to Oman (1819) With a New Introduction by Robin Bidwell Oman succeeded in maintaining a vigorous independence at the beginning of the nineteenth century when much of the Arab world was at least nominally subject to the Ottoman Sultan. This was only one of the facts that made it unique for it had also a distinctive local form of Islam, it was the only Arab state to rely upon the sea for its livelihood and the only Arab state to establish close relations with a European power. These assets, and in particular British support, were exploited by one of the most remarkable Arab rulers of the century, Sayyid Sacid bin Sultan who came to power in 1807 through murdering a usurping cousin. Ruling for half a century he carried out an expansionist policy in the Gulf and in East Africa where he laid the foundations of a state that his descendants were to rule until 1964. In addition to his great ability as a ruler, a Warrior and above all a trader, he was a man remarkable for his sense of justice, tolerance and humour. Sayyid Sa'id welcomed European visitors and one of these wrote the first book ever to be exclusively devoted to Muscat. Vincenzo Maurizi, an Italian, was nick-named Shaik Mansur by the ruler with whom he was closely associated as his personal physician and as the commander of his artillery, although he was denounced by a British Officer as a spy of Napoleon. His book, which strangely has never been reprinted since the first edition in 1819, gives a fascinating account of daily life in Muscat and of the personality of its Sultan. Dr Robin Bidwell, who has provided an introduction, is Secretary of the Middle East Centre at Cambridge University. He has also published Travellers in Arabia (1976) and The Two Yemens (1983) in addition to many articles on Southern Arabia, both eastern and western, in academic journals. Part of the Oleander Classics series, this title has been reproduced using the highest-quality modern scanning technology in order to keep this and other important works from the Press's 50-year history from going out of print. In this way, the invaluable resources provided by books in the series remain available for general readers, academics and other interested parties.