Talk:Rashid bin Matar Al Qasimi

Chronology

The article states that "It was under Rashid's reign that the first accusations of piracy were leveled against the Al Qasimi by the British, an incident in 1778 where Al Qasimi forces attacked and boarded an East India Company vessel."

However, it also states that his reign ended in 1777.

So, which is it? Does this sentence apply to him or only to his successor? Elspamo4 (talk) 05:15, 31 August 2025 (UTC)

Hey @Elspamo4 - good point. I'm on leave and travelling, so don't have access to my copy of the source but recall there was a sort of interregnum where Rashid was not formally ruler but was generally considered still to be in chage. But it's, as you point out, a grey area - possibly something that could be cleared up. I'll need a couple of weeks to get to it, unless someone else has a copy of Al Qasimi, or can do some more digging into Lorimer, Lowe or the Arabian Intelligence compilation... Best Alexandermcnabb (talk) 19:03, 31 August 2025 (UTC)

@Alexandermcnabb: Sounds good, thanks. And no rush. The only reason I asked is because, from the dates, it seems like the second that Rashid retired, his successor convinced the tribe to start pillaging foreign vessels, which is where the accusations of piracy started from. I don't have access to Al Qasimi's book, but when I have time, I'll check the older sources like Lorimer to see if they have more details. Elspamo4 (talk) 20:45, 31 August 2025 (UTC)

I was able to find clarification in pages 6 to 8 of Lorimer's report on the Qawasim. Apparently, at least according to Lorimer, after Sheikh Rashid resigned from leadership "in or about 1777", his son Saqr led the tribe to adopt piracy, which led to the first accusations of piracy from 1778 to 1780. I've included it in the text and amended a part of it, let me know if there any objections. Elspamo4 (talk) 07:56, 1 September 2025 (UTC)

I have to say, that is elegant!!! :) Best Alexandermcnabb (talk) 08:53, 1 September 2025 (UTC)

@Elspamo4 Quick note - I added a sentence on the core of the confusion - Rashid continued to correspond with the British even in 1778, following the end of his reign. Best Alexandermcnabb (talk) 14:33, 8 September 2025 (UTC)