The second, led by a more substantial British component, resulted in a decisive victory over the Bani Bu Ali.
[2] In 1819, the Company carried out a punitive expedition to Ras al Khaimah, which destroyed a pirate base and removed the threat of piracy from the Persian Gulf.
When the Bani Bu Ali murdered the pilot of a British ship carrying a British envoy at Rass al Junaiz,[b] it was decided to dispatch of a small punitive expedition from India to Ash Sharqiyah (Oman) to assist the sultan in subduing the Bani Bu Ali.
This force of 6000 mixed British soldiers and Indian sepoys, under Major General Lionel Smith, sailed from Bombay on 11 January 1821.
The Bani bu Ali advanced with desperate fanaticism to give battle in the open, ignoring the cannonades of grape-shot from the British artillery.
The Arabs fought bravely with broad-sword and shield, attempting to break the British line, causing havoc at close quarters wherever they could do so.
Beni Boo Ali heads the list of battle and theatre honours of the Bombay Sappers today.