العلاقات العمانية-الهندية حتى عام 1856

الملخص EN

The study of Oman- Indian Relationship is one of the most important topics which deserves such a research.

Both Oman and India are deeply-rooted features which constitute an important point for civilized communication and for developing historical relations between them.

Oman has an important strategic and economic position.

Its beaches extend to India.

Its people like shipment and trade with different states.

Its sea caravan is one of the strongest ones of the world in old and modern history.

So, it is very natural to reinforce its political and economic relations with different states including India.

As for India, it has a very old civilization and an awful ability to accept a number of nations and religions.

It has a great and various wealth which attracted the assertion of the world to constrict it in addition to its naval nature which includes a number of ports universally known as the meeting place for the international trade ships along history including the naval of Oman which was very famous.

The Oman- India relationship dates back to a very old time proved by the archaeological investigation done in Oman.

This relation was reinforced through time within the establishment of the Islamic Arabian State and making Islam well-known in India.

The people of Oman established trade settlements and religious mosques in India.

The Oman- India relationship become bad on account of the Portugal occupation of India and Oman which controlled the imports of both states according to its interests.

However, this relation turned out to be good after the Oman military activity of Al-Ja’rba rulers in India which results in subsequent victories against Portugalians there.

So, they developed their relations with Indians to form economical trade bases and civilized exchange.

When Albu Sa’eed emirate was established in Oman which constituted the basic changing point in its political and economic states, Oman witnessed a new trade group which developed the economical level in Oman and established the new bases for Albu Sa’eed family that was described as being with obvious economical attitude.

The good starting point for Albo Sa’eed family and their will to develop their relation with India and its emirates.

So, they held treates and exchanged presents.

Oman and its ports became the place of shipment for Indian ships.

Moreover, oman rulers provided Indian merchants with safety and comfort as well as freedom to parades their religious affairs and decreasing taxes.

So, this deepened their political and economical relations.

In accordance with the high position of Indians to Omanians and their rules, Albu Sa’eed people depended on them in their trade process of exporting and importing to India and other countries of the universe or in running the economical establishment such as customs and banking works.

It is to be mentioned that the Indian interference in the political affairs intended to gain trade interests.

In addition, Albu Sa’eed rulers depended on the Indians in their armies who took part with the Oman army to keep their territories inside the Arab Gulf.

The Indians won the British authorities protection in Oman.

They were awarded all the privileges as the treaties held between Britain and Oman referred to.

The British also depended on the Indians in their diplomatic representation with Oman and in their military wars in Arab Gulf.

All these matters helped the Indians to increase their political and commercial influence in Oman and the other states of the Arab Gulf.

The economical relationship between Oman and India progressed high during the period of Sayed Sa’eed bin Sultan 1806-1856.

The Oman sea caravan moved more than half of the Arab Gulf trades, entered Indian seas and its ports.

Persia, Oman, South of Africa and the Red Sea.

As for India, the Oman ships arrived India, Kilkata, Malaqa and Pataqya.

Being the meeting place for Oman ships, it became on direct contact with international commercial centers such as London, Amsterdam, and New York.

The Omanese were the chief distributers of commercial tools to the Indian commercial centers and others.

Thus, the Oman sea caravan became the strongest commercial one in the Indian Ocean after the British one.

As such, the British decided to control it or decease its influence so as not to constitute a danger on them later.

This happened at the end of the ruling period of Sayed Sa’eed when trying to get rid of slaves trade which provided Oman with great profits.

So the Oman Empire was divided into two parts after his death in 1856.

The Indian action in Oman and Zinjibar decrease during the era of Sayed Sa’eed bin Sultan who realized their significance and interest in developing his empire trade 4/5 of the foreign trade of Oman was under their influence.

It became too difficult for the American, European and India n markets within the breaking out of the economical revolutgion to hold commercial agreements with any part of the Oman Empire unless the Indian trades had profit in them.

The most prominent aspect of Indian influence on Oman was that of adopting the Indian money system (Alrobiya) as the major means for exchange instead of other ones which were available in Oman before 1835.