Who Colonized Bahrain And Why: A Historical Overview

Bahrain has been colonized by various groups throughout its history, including the Persians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Portuguese, Arabs, and the British. The country was most recently under British colonial rule until it gained independence in 1971.

Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands in the Persian Gulf. Its name derives from the Arabic term al-baḥrayn, meaning two seas. The country has long been a central location for trade and is believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, which traded with ancient Sumer.

Bahrain's strategic location has made it a desirable territory for various empires throughout history. The country has been ruled by the Persians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Portuguese before the arrival of the Arabs and the British in more recent times.

In 1783, the Bani Utbah tribe, led by Al Khalifa, invaded Bahrain from their base in Al Zubarah, marking the beginning of Al Khalifa rule. The Al Khalifa family, a native Arab dynasty, has ruled Bahrain since the late 18th century and continues to do so today.

During the 19th century, the British intervened multiple times to suppress war, piracy, and the establishment of rival powers in the region. In 1820, Britain signed a treaty with Bahrain, recognizing the Al Khalifa as its rulers. Bahrain became a British protectorate in 1861, with the signing of another treaty that prohibited the country from engaging in war, piracy, or slavery.

Bahrain gained independence from British rule in 1971, joining the other Arab emirates in the region in asserting its sovereignty.

Bahrain was colonized by the British Empire from 1861 until 1971

In 1867, a war erupted between Bahrain and Qatar, leading to British intervention and the independence of Qatar from Bahrain. The British appointed a new Al Khalifa ruler, Isa bin Ali, whose reign lasted from 1869 to 1923. During this time, there were no external challenges to the country as Britain defended it. Isa bin Ali and his family enjoyed absolute powers, ruling over people as subjects and controlling much of the country as feudal estates. The ruler used a special militant group to execute his orders via physical coercion. The economy of Bahrain at this time depended on palm cultivation, fishing, and pearl diving.

In the late 19th century, Britain placed Bahrain under its protection and, by the end of World War I, had tightened its grip on the island. Starting in 1919, successive British political agents began implementing reform plans. The reforms of the 1920s were administrative in nature and were supported by the Shia but opposed by the Sunni tribes and parts of the ruling family. The country was divided, and violence erupted between the opposing factions. The British intervened and replaced the ruler with his elder son, Hamad bin Isa, who supported the reforms.

In 1932, oil was discovered in Bahrain, leading to significant economic and social changes on the island. The pearl industry and palm cultivation, which had been the backbone of the economy, were soon wiped out due to the growing oil industry.

During World War II, Bahrain participated in the conflict as part of the British Empire, specifically the British Indian Empire as a Gulf Residency on the Allied side. After the war, increasing anti-British sentiment spread throughout the Arab world and led to riots in Bahrain.

In 1968, when the British government announced its decision to end treaty relationships with the Persian Gulf sheikdoms, Bahrain initially joined the other eight states under British protection in an effort to form a union of Arab emirates. However, by 1971, the nine sheikhdoms still had not agreed on the terms of the union, prompting Bahrain to declare itself fully independent on August 15, 1971.

The Bani Utbah tribe, led by Al Khalifa, invaded Bahrain in 1783

The Bani Utbah tribe, an Arab tribal confederation in the Arabian Peninsula, invaded and conquered Bahrain in 1783, ending Persian rule on the island. Led by Ahmed bin Muhammad ibn Khalifa, also known as Ahmed Al Fateh ("Ahmed the Conqueror"), the Bani Utbah invasion was supported by a naval fleet from Kuwait and several Bedouin clans based in Zubarah, including the Al-Fadhil, Al-Buainain, Al-Romaihi, Al-Kuwari, Al-Noaimi, Al-Bin Ali, Al-Jalahma, Al-Musalem, and Al-Mannai.

The Bani Utbah invasion of Bahrain was precipitated by the fall of the Safavid dynasty, which led to a period of anarchy and self-rule in villages, leaving the country vulnerable to foreign invasions. Utub forces had been attacking the island during this time, prompting the spiritual leader of Bahrain, Sheikh Mohammed ibn Abdullah Al Majed, to enlist the help of the Huwala to combat these attacks. However, the Utub forces launched a full-scale invasion and established a government loyal to the Imam of Oman.

The Bani Utbah invasion of 1783 was not the first attempt by the tribe to take control of Bahrain. In 1782, war broke out between the Bani Utbah, led by the Al Khalifa family, and the ruler of Bahrain and Bushehr, Sheikh Nasr Al-Madhkur. This conflict arose due to the prosperity of Zubarah, a base of the Bani Utbah located in modern-day Qatar, which caught the attention of the two main powers at the time, Persia and Oman. Additionally, Bahrain offered great potential wealth due to its extensive pearl resources. The Persians launched an assault on Zubarah's fort but were forced to retreat after facing stiff resistance from the Bani Utbah defenders.

In retaliation, the Bani Utbah clan, along with their allies, invaded Bahrain Island in 1783. They captured the Bahrain fort and surrounded the Persian garrison, ultimately completing the invasion on July 28, 1783. This invasion marked the end of Persian rule in Bahrain and the beginning of Bani Utbah rule, with the Al Khalifa family as the ruling dynasty. The Al Khalifa faced various challenges during their reign, including external threats from Oman and Wahhabis, as well as internal conflicts and divisions within their own tribe. Nonetheless, they managed to maintain control of Bahrain for over 75 years.

The Al Khalifa family ruled Bahrain from 1783-1869

The Al Khalifa family, a Sunni Muslim family belonging to the Anizah tribe, ruled Bahrain from 1783-1869. The family originated from the Al-Ḥasā province of Arabia and settled in Zubarah, Qatar, before moving to Bahrain.

In 1783, the Al Khalifa clan captured the Bahrain islands, defeating Nasr Al-Madhkur, who ruled the archipelago as a dependency of Persia. The leader of the Al Khalifa family, Shaykh Ahmad bin Khalifa, ruled the islands from Zubarah, on the northwestern coast of Qatar, until his death in 1796.

Following Shaykh Ahmad bin Khalifa's death, his sons, Salman and Abdullah, co-ruled Bahrain, with Salman settling on Bahrain Island and Abdullah on Muharraq Island. Salman and Abdullah co-signed a pivotal treaty with Britain in 1820, recognising the Al Khalifa as the legitimate rulers of Bahrain.

From 1827-1869, the Al Khalifa family experienced internal conflict, with the Al-Salman and Al-Abdulla branches fighting for control of Bahrain. The Al-Salman branch ultimately prevailed, and Bahrain remained under the rule of the Al Khalifa family, despite external threats of occupation by the Wahhabis, Omanis, Ottomans, Egyptians, and Persians.

During this period, the Al Khalifa rulers imposed taxes on the indigenous Baharnah population and ruled Bahrain as feudal estates. The family's rule was marked by threats of external invasion and internal conflict, with the Al-Abdulla branch continuing to pose a challenge until 1895.

In 1869, British forces intervened to end the fighting between the Al-Salman and Al-Abdulla branches and appointed Shaykh Isa bin Ali, a descendant of Salman, as the ruler of Bahrain. This marked the beginning of a period of British influence and protection in Bahrain, with subsequent treaties in 1880 and 1892 confirming Isa bin Ali's undisputed position as ruler.

Britain and Bahrain signed a General Treaty of Peace in 1820

Bahrain has been colonized by various groups throughout history, including the Portuguese, Persians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Arabs, and the British.

In 1820, Bahrain signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain, which was the first of several treaties between the two nations. This treaty was signed in the aftermath of decades of maritime conflict in the Gulf, with British, French, and Omani-flagged ships involved in a series of disputes. The treaty was initially signed between the rulers of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Great Britain in January 1820, with Bahrain acceding to the treaty in February.

The treaty was part of Britain's strategic policy of ensuring open lines of communication between the British Raj and the home islands by excluding rival European powers, notably Russia and France, from the Persian Gulf region. It also aimed to preserve the independence of Qajar Iran, the Ottoman Empire, and the Emirate of Nejd.

The treaty prohibited piracy in the Persian Gulf, banned some forms of slavery, and required all usable ships to be registered with British forces by flying distinctive red and white flags. It established a British protectorate over the Trucial States, which would endure until the independence of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.

The treaty was significant as it gave Britain complete hegemony over the region and its sea routes. It was the first in a series of treaties and arrangements that dealt with issues of war and peace, slavery, piracy, and restrictions on rulers' international relationships.

The 1820 treaty was followed by subsequent agreements, such as the 1847 treaty to prohibit the exportation of slaves and the 1853 Perpetual Maritime Truce, which prohibited acts of aggression at sea. In 1892, Bahrain and the Trucial States entered into "Exclusivity Agreements" with Britain, which put them under British protection and required Britain to defend them from external aggression.

Bahrain became a British protectorate in 1861

Bahrain's history has been marked by a long line of conquerors and rulers, from the Persians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Portuguese, Arabs, and finally, the British.

In 1861, Bahrain became a British protectorate, marking a significant shift in its colonial history. Here's a more detailed account of this period:

The British had been interacting with Bahrain in various capacities since the early 19th century, but the turning point came with the signing of a treaty in 1861. This treaty established Bahrain as a British protectorate, with the ruling Al Khalifa family agreeing to refrain from "the prosecution of war, piracy, or slavery." In essence, Britain assumed responsibility for Bahrain's defence and foreign relations, promising to protect the country from aggression and supporting the rule of the Al Khalifa.

This move by the British was driven by their desire to secure their interests in the region, particularly given the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf as a trade route and the threat of piracy. The treaty of 1861 built upon an earlier agreement signed in 1820 between Britain and Bahrain, which was aimed at curbing piracy in the region.

The period of British rule brought about significant changes in Bahrain. The British appointed Isa bin Ali as the ruler of Bahrain, and during his reign (1869-1923), there were no external threats to the country as Britain defended it. Isa bin Ali and his family enjoyed absolute power, ruling over the people as subjects and controlling much of the country as feudal estates. The public revenue, mainly collected as taxes and rents, became the ruler's private income.

The British also implemented reforms during this period, particularly in the pearl industry, private properties, the judicial system, policing, and education. However, these reforms were often met with resistance from the ruling family and their allies, who saw them as a threat to their power and privileges. Despite this opposition, the British continued to exert their influence, and in 1947, the protection of Bahrain was briefly handled by the government of British India before reverting to Britain following India's independence.

The discovery of oil in 1932 further transformed Bahrain, leading to significant economic and social changes. While the country gained independence from Britain in 1971, the legacy of the British protectorate period continues to shape various aspects of Bahrain's society, politics, and economy even today.

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