Thuwaini bin Said, Sultan of Muscat and Oman

Who was Thuwaini bin Said, Sultan of Muscat and Oman?

Sultan Thuwaini bin Said al-Said also called Tueni, Sultan of Muscat and Oman, was the third son of Said bin Sultan, Sultan of Muscat and Oman. Thuwaini was born in Oman, and never visited Zanzibar. When his father was away on Zanzibar, Thuwaini was his representative in Oman.

Thuwaini was married to his cousin Ralie, daughter of his father's elder brother Salim Ibn Sultan. They had several children.

After the death of Said bin Sultan on Zanzibar in 1856, Thuwaini became Sultan of Muscat and Oman, while his brother, the sixth son, Majid, took power on Zanzibar. Through British mediation it was agreed that Majid should pay a yearly tribute to Oman. However, Majid paid this tribute a few years only, and when he stopped, Thuwaini was in no position to enforce payment from the much wealthier Zanzibar. This left Muscat and Oman in a difficult financial situation. Thuwaini was forced to levy duties on various articles, creating malcontent. In 1866 he was rumored to have been killed by his own son, Salim bin Thuwaini.

William Gifford Palgrave relates how, when they were shipwrecked in March 1863 on Sowadah Island off Oman, they were very well received and treated by Thuwaini.