ABSTRACT
The Wahhâbî threat itself and its indirect effect on ʿUmânî ambitions in Baḩrayn preoccupied and limited Sulţân, but the mercantile success during his rule was remarkable. Because records dealing specifically with Masqat proliferated after 1798, they know something about Sultân's administration, which was largely geared for commercial enterprise. Without equally detailed information for earlier periods it is difficult to compare. Both the imâm Aḩmad b. saʿîd and Sulţân used a family appanage system and had several agents customs officials, nâkhudâs who functioned also as envoys and wakîls in various ports to facilitate trade. Distinctive features of Sultân's administration were that it reflected his more aggressive and aggrandizing policies and that it handled a far greater volume of more diverse trade. It was also of course more removed from tribal concerns and was without Ibâḑî sanction. By far the greatest source of revenue was maritime commerce, including both customs and sales profits.
