L3 Question: What were the main historical events and developments in the region of Al-

Ahsa, Qatar, and Bahrain during the 18th and 19th centuries?

Answer: During the 18th and 19th centuries, the region of Al-Ahsa, Qatar, and Bahrain
witnessed significant historical events and developments:

1. Historical Name and Capital:

o The historical name of the region was "Al-bahrain countries," signifying
"countries of two seas" during the Islamic conquests.
o The capital was originally "Hajr" until it was destroyed by the Qarmatians, who
then established a new capital called Al-Ahsa.
2. Rulers of Al-Ahsa:
o Al-Ahsa was ruled by different tribes, including Al-Ayoniyon, Al-Zamel Al-
Jabry, and Al-Moghamis.
o The Portuguese occupied Al-Ahsa in 1517, followed by Ottoman control in the
mid-16th century.
3. Ottoman Presence:
o The Ottomans struggled to establish a strong naval base in Basra due to
unsuitability, Bedouin resistance, and Safavid ambitions.
o Effective Ottoman control in the Arabian Gulf didn't occur until the late 19th
century.
4. Bani Khalid and Ottoman Control:
o Bani Khalid ruled Al-Ahsa until the 17th century.
o After the Ottomans arrived, Bani Khalid maintained a good relationship with
them.
o When the Ottomans faced difficulties, Bani Khalid declared loyalty to the
Ottomans.
5. Political System in Qatar during Bani Khalid's Reign:
o Bani Khalid indirectly controlled Qatar through the Al-Mosalam family.
o Local sheiks in Qatar had some self-independence despite Bani Khalid's authority.
6. Tribal Migrations:
o Tribes like Al-Atube and Al-Maaded migrated to the region in the late 17th to
early 18th centuries due to drought and tribal disputes.
o They settled along the western coast, seeking prosperity.
7. Al-Atub Confederation:
o Al-Atub settled in Al-Zubara for 20 years before moving to the Kuwaiti coast.
o Al Khalifa, a branch of the Utub confederation, later returned to Zubarah and
extended influence to Bahrain.
8. Conquering Bahrain:
o Al Khalifa's ambitions in Bahrain led to its conquest in 1783, establishing Al
Khalifa rule over Bahrain.
9. Downfall of Bani Khalid and the First Saudi State:
o Bani Khalid's rule weakened in the 18th century, and the Saudis, led by
Mohammed bin Soud, annexed Al-Ahsa in 1793.
o Saudis used Al-Ahsa as a base for expansion in the region.
10. British Presence in the Gulf:
 Britain established relations in the Gulf through treaties to safeguard navigation
o
and eliminate piracy.
o They used force to impose policies and resolve disputes, leading to border issues.
11. British Relations with Qatar:
o British contact with Qatar began in 1821 due to concerns about Rahma bin Jabir's
actions and piracy.
o British measures were taken to end attacks on ships in the Gulf.
12. Creation of the Second Saudi State:
o Faisal bin Turki extended Saudi control, and Al Khalifa was occupied with
defending against the Saudis.
o Qatar's tribes refused to submit to Al Khalifa's authority.
13. Qatar in the 19th Century:
o Qatar faced problems such as attempts by Al Khalifa to extend power, conflicts
with Qatari tribes, and maritime attacks.
o British intervention occurred, including the shelling of Doha in 1841.

These historical events and developments shaped the political and social landscape of the region
during the 18th and 19th centuries.

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AL-AHSA REGION AND ITS GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES:

 Historical Name: Al-Ahsa was historically referred to as "Al-Bahrain countries," which

means "countries of two seas," during the Islamic conquest period.
 Historical Capital: The original capital of the region was "Hajr," but it was destroyed by
the Qarmatians, who then established a new capital, Al-Ahsa.
 Rulers: Al-Ahsa was ruled by different tribes over time, including Al-Ayoniyon, Al-
Zamel Al-Jabry, and Al-Moghamis, until the Portuguese occupied it in 1517. The
Ottomans later expelled the Portuguese in the mid-sixteenth century.

THE OTTOMAN PRESENCE IN THE REGION:

 Ottoman Control: The Ottoman Empire did not have effective control over the Arabian
Gulf until the last third of the nineteenth century.
 Tribes and Conflicts: Several factors hindered Ottoman control, including unsuitable
naval bases in Basra, opposition from Bedouin tribes, and conflict with the Safavid
Empire in Iran.
 Bani Khalid Rule: Bani Khalid, particularly under the leadership of Brak ibn Arair,
resisted Ottoman rule for nearly 80 years. They maintained a nominal authority even as
the Ottomans controlled the region.

POLITICAL SYSTEM IN QATAR DURING THE REIGN OF BANI KHALID:

 Bani Khalid Rule: Bani Khalid ruled the Qatari peninsula until the late eighteenth
century.
  Influence Over Qatar: While they did not have direct control over Qatar's tribes, Bani
Khalid relied on their in-laws from the Al-Mosalam family to collect yearly taxes from
Qatar's tribes. This allowed them to influence and control Qatar's affairs to some extent.

THE TRIBAL MIGRATIONS:

 Causes of Migration: Al-Atube and Al-Maaded, along with other tribes, migrated from
the middle of the Arabian Peninsula to Qatar's coast between the late seventeenth and
early eighteenth centuries due to severe drought and tribal disputes.
 Quest for Prosperity: These tribes migrated to the western coast of the Gulf in search of
prosperity, particularly related to maritime activities.

THE SECOND MIGRATION OF AL-ATUB CONFEDERATION:

 Settlement in Al-Zubara: Al-Atub settled in Qatar's Al-Zubara area for 20 years, but they
left due to conflicts with local tribes and sailed to the Kuwaiti coast, where they settled
for approximately fifty years.
 Return to Qatar: The Al Khalifa branch of the Utub confederation, who had helped
establish the rule of Al Sabah in Kuwait but left due to disputes, returned to Qatar's Al-
Zubara in 1766.

THE RISE OF AL KHALIFA AND CONQUEST OF BAHRAIN:

 Al Khalifa's Ambitions: Al Khalifa's ambitions led them to expand beyond Zubarah,

especially as they had a poor relationship with Bahrain's rulers, the Al Mathkour.
 Expansion into Bahrain: Al Khalifa managed to conquer Bahrain in 1783, establishing
their rule over the island.

THE DOWNFALL OF BANI KHALID RULE IN AL-AHSA:

 Saudi Control: Mohammad bin Soud, with the principles of "Al-wahabia," annexed Al-
Ahsa in 1793, destroying Bani Khalid's authority.
 Saudi Expansion: The Saudis used Al-Ahsa as a base to launch assaults on Oman, Al-
Baremy, Qatar, Bahrain, and other Gulf countries. This expansion was facilitated by the
Ottoman Empire's preoccupation with problems in Europe and the Balkans.

THE DOWNFALL OF THE FIRST SAUDI STATE AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF

THE SECOND SAUDI STATE:

 Ottoman Influence: The Ottoman Empire, under Muhammad Ali Pasha, weakened the
first Saudi state in the early 19th century and destroyed its capital.
 Second Saudi State: Faisal bin Turki established the second Saudi state, extending his
control over Al-Ahsa and posing threats to Bahrain.

QATAR IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY:

  Challenges in Qatar: In the 1820s and 30s, Qatar faced challenges such as attempts by
Bahrain's Utub to extend power over the region, Rahma bin Jabir's conflicts, and
increased maritime attacks.

BRITISH RELATIONS WITH QATAR:

 British Intervention: The British intervened to end attacks jeopardizing maritime peace,
accusing Qatar of sympathizing with immigrants from the Omani coast.
 British Measures: The British took several measures, including sending a marine force,
including Qatar in maritime truce agreements, and forcing Qatari sheikhs to make
pledges.
 Shelling of Doha: In 1841, the British shelled Doha, marking the Second Destruction of
Doha, to counter hostilities in the region.

CREATION OF THE SECOND SAUDI STATE AND EFFECTS ON QATARI TRIBES:

 Al Khalifa's Role: Al Khalifa's role in Qatar included moving to live in Qatar's coast,
attempts to extend power over the Huwaila tribe (resulting in a revolt), and disputes with
Issa bin Turayf.
 Qatari Tribes' Resistance: The Qatari tribes resisted Al Khalifa's authority, showing that
they did not submit willingly to Bahrain's rule.

These notes cover key information about the Al-Ahsa region, the Ottoman presence, Bani Khalid
rule, tribal migrations, Al Khalifa's rise and conquests, the downfall of Bani Khalid, the
establishment of Saudi states, Qatar in the 19th century, British relations with Qatar, and the
effects on Qatari tribes.

Key Date Significance

Islamic Conquest (7th century) Region referred to as "Al-Bahrain countries,"
indicating its connection to the two seas.

Capital Shift (Destroyed in 930) The capital shifted from "Hajr" to "Al-Ahsa" after the
Qarmatians destroyed Hajr.

Tribal Rule (Pre-16th century) Successive tribal rulers: Al-Ayoniyon, Al-Zamel Al-
Jabry, Al-Moghamis.

Portuguese Occupation (1517) Portuguese occupied the region until the Ottoman
Turks expelled them in the mid-16th century.

Ottoman Control (16th century) Ottomans conquered and controlled Al-Ahsa,

extending their influence.
Bani Khalid Rule (18th century) Bani Khalid controlled Al-Ahsa, maintaining a
relationship with the Ottomans.

Bani Khalid indirectly controlled Qatar, relying on Al-

Qatar Under Bani Khalid (18th century)
Mosalam family.

Tribes like Al-Atube and Al-Maaded migrated to the

Tribal Migrations (Late 17th-early 18th century)
region due to drought and tribal conflicts.

Al-Atube settled in Al-Zubara with the support of Al-

Al-Atube Settlement in Qatar (Early 18th century)
Mosalam and other Qatari tribes.

Al-Atub migrated to Kuwait due to conflicts, returning

Al-Atub's Move to Kuwait (1716-1766)
to Qatar later.

Al Khalifa returned to Qatar, establishing ties and

Al Khalifa's Return to Qatar (1766)
eventually extending their power.

Al Khalifa, with Qatari tribal assistance, conquered

Conquest of Bahrain (1783)
Bahrain, establishing their rule.

Mohammed bin Soud annexed Al-Ahsa, weakening

Saudi Conquest of Al-Ahsa (1793)
Bani Khalid's rule.

Saudis Control Bahrain, Qatar, and Al-Ahsa (1793- Saudis established a province with Bahrain as the
1818) headquarters.

Ottoman forces, led by Mohammed Ali Pasha, ended

Ottoman Intervention (1818)
the first Saudi state, regaining control.

Qatar's local tribes asserted themselves, opposing

Rise of Local Qatari Tribes (Early 19th century)
foreign authorities.

Britain established relations, focusing on maritime

British Presence in the Gulf (Early 19th century)
security and treaties in the Gulf.

The British bombarded Al-Bada, marking their first

Bombardment of Al-Bada (1821)
contact with Qatar.

British political resident Mr. Macleod visited Doha,

British Resident's Visit (1823)
recognizing Al-Buainain's authority.

Faisal extended Saudi authority, affecting Al Khalifa's

Faisal Bin Turki's Control (1824-1891)
influence in Qatar.

Qatari tribes resisted Al Khalifa's attempts to control

Qatari Tribes' Resistance (1835)
them.

British took action to end attacks from Omani coast to

British Measures (1835-1836)
Qatar, including shelling Doha (1841).