ABSTRACT
During Sultân's rule, the French and British became actively interested in asserting their influence at Masqaţ and their competition in this regard had much to do with the shaping of ʿUmân's external affairs. It is therefore necessary to give a brief account of French and British interests in the Indian Ocean region. The British Indian government speculated on the renewed possibility of French competition for India, if not through Persia, then by the Red Sea and ʿUmân, with naval support from Port Louis. In August, the Company's newly appointed Resident at Bûshahr, Mirzâ Mahdî ʿAlî Khân, reported that the governor of Masqaţ had just sent two shiploads of grain to the Ile de France, and offered to try to interfere with such traffic. In addition, Sultân also reiterated the request for free wood, water and pilotage at Bombay for his vessels, since this was accorded British ships at Masqat.
