History of Qatar

Midterm Chapters
(1,2,3,4)

Chapter 1: Sources of Qatar History

Where can Historical Resources about Qatar be found?

• Amiri diwan
• Ministries
• Religious leaders
• Political and military leaders
• Journalists and authors

What is the difference between a source and a reference?

• A source means the original primary material. It is more important than a reference.
• A reference refers to general writings published for historical purposes.

When the modern and contemporary history of Qatar starts?

In 1868 under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammad bin Al-Thani following the British- Qatari
treaty.

What are the Sources of Qatari Modern and Contemporary History?

1- Documents: unpublished and published

2- The Explorers Books
3- Periodicals (magazines)
4- National Heritage
5- Books
Unpublished Documents in Arabic

1. The Amir's Diwan documents.

2. Customs incomes.

Unpublished Documents in English

1. Bombay Government Records

2. Records and documents of the Eastern-India British Company
3. Archives of the National Documents House in New Delhi
4. Records of the Government of British India

Unpublished Documents in Turkish

1. The Bashakenelk
2. Turkish documents in the Amiri Diwan.

Unpublished Documents in Portuguese

Sultanate's Deputies in India.

Unpublished Documents in Dutch

Dutch East India Company.

1- Published Documents

Published Documents in Arabic

Qatar Laws

The first Nationality Law

The Official Newspaper

 Published Documents translated into Arabic

Saldana report

Country History Documents.

Laurimar's book, The Guide to the Gulf.

Published Documents in English

1. The British Crown Papers

2. Documents of Ministry of India
3. Qatar Records Background Documents

Books of Explorers

1. Arab sailor, Shihab Al-Din’s book: "Three Flowers in the knowledge of the Seas".

2. Portuguese explorer, Pedro Teixeira's book "The Travels of Pedro Teixeira".

3. British explorer, Palgrave, "The Story of the Journey of Years in the Heart and
East of the Arabian Peninsula".

4. Bertram Thomas, "A Camel Journey Across the Rubal Khali".

Periodicals

1. Doha Magazine
2. Al-Arab Daily
3. Al-Rayah
National Heritage

1. Popular Songs in Qatar by Mohammed Al-Duwaik.

2. The Glorious Masterpiece in Qatari Literature and Customs by Youssef Al-Khulaifi.

3. Popular Proverbs in the Qatari Environment by Mohammed Al-Marri.

Contemporary Books in Arabic

1. Qatar, Its Past and Present by Mustafa Al-Dabag.

2. Arab Emirate of Qatar between the Past and Present by Muhammad Al-Shebany.

3. General History of Qatar by Bahjat Sinan.

Contemporary Books in Foreign Language

Pirate Coast by Charles Belgrave.

Persia and the Persian Question by George Kirzen.

Qatar Oil concession Document, 1935.

Chapter 2: Qatar's Emergence and Development

The Arabian Gulf did not experience real Ottoman control until the last 3rd of the 19th century:

1. Because they were confronted with Bedouin tribalism.

2. Because of their problems in Europe and the Balkans
3. because they were busy with the Safavid state in Iran.
 The Ottomans were able to seize Al-Ahsa' in the 16th century until it was controlled by the
Bani Khalid tribe in 1670.

Qatar was ruled by Bani Khalid until the 18th century and depended on their in-laws from
Al- Musalum families.

Bani Khalid ruled the region until the first Saudi state was founded by Mohammed bin Saud,
based on the Salafist (Wahhabi) dawa.

The First Saudi State succeeded in eliminating Bani Khalid in 1793.

The departure of the Ottomans from the Gulf provided an opportunity for the British to
extend its influence over the region in the absence of any influential local or Arab power
except Qawasem.

When the Ottomans thought to transform their nominal presence in the Gulf into a physical
presence since 1869, they found that Britain had preceded them in the Gulf through military
force and treaties restricted the Sheikhs of the region in the name of public peace.

Migrations of the Atoub Tribes

Atoub has 3 branches:

Al-Sabah, Al Khalifa, and Al-Jalahemeh

Atoub migrated from the Arabian Peninsula and from Najd centuries due to:
 Drought
 Tribal conflicts

Atoub settled near Zubara under the hospitality of Al-Musalum families. They stayed in Zubara
for 25 years.
A problem happened between Atoub and Al Musalum and resulted in the battle of Ras Tanura in
which Atoub won, but even though they decided to move to Kuwait.

Kuwait's development is a result of the Atoub.

Since the mid-18th century, Bani Khalid's rule has been weakening by the Saudi power, and
during the same period, Al-Khalifa migrated to Zubara on Qatar's western coast (1766).
The Reasons for the Migration of Al-Khalifa to Zubara in 1766 are:

1- Their intermarriage between Al-Khalifa and Bani Ali.

2- Guarding the city by building the castle of Mareer out of fear of Al Masalmeh and the
Qataris.
3- Lending money to the people in exchange of pearls.

The Reasons for the Prosperity of Zubara

1. Al-Khalifa and their strength and wealth

2. The migration of wealthy Basra merchants to Zubara
3. The development of pearl trade

Al Khalifa stopped paying taxes to Al Musalum.

They were secured in their Mareer castle to attack Bahrain.
The rest of the Qatari peninsula was ruled by Qatari tribes.

Reasons for Al-Khalifa's Aspiration to Bahrain Despite the prosperity of Zubara:

1- Their transformation from a Bedouin society to a semi-capitalist society.

2- Their ambition is more than Zubara.
3- Their expansion in Qatar will lead them to clash with the tribes of Qatar, Al-Musalam
and Bani Khalid.

Al Khalifa was able to seek help from Al-Sabah, Al-Jalahma, and the Qatari tribes to conquest
Bahrain and eliminate the Persians. They settled their and became the rulers.

Sheikh Ahmed Al- Khalifa, who led the operation and was nicknamed Fatih, chose to spend his
last years in Zubara, leaving the rule of Bahrain to his two sons. After his death in 1794, Al-
Khalifa family settled in Bahrain.

Bahrain has since become an Arab emirate ruled by Al-Khalifa and the first Sheikh to rule
Bahrain was Sheikh Ahmed Al Khalifa (1783−1794).
The Beginning of Salafi Dawah

The Salafist Dawah (call) started in Najd by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahab.

Amir Mohammed bin Saud, Amir of Daraya, accepted the Salafist call in 1745.

Sheikh Abdul Wahab's alliance with Amir Mohammed bin Saud led to the establishment of
the first Saudi state.

Saudi Relationship with Qatar

• The Saudis relationship with Qatar began in 1788, when Suleiman bin Afisan prepared a
campaign to attack Qatar, and defeated the Burmeih tribe, and then withdrew to Najd.

• In 1798, Ibrahim launched a major attack on Zubara and occupied Qatar.

Triangular State

Bahrain was also ruled by the Saudis and Amir Saud bin Abdelaziz formed the triangular
state that included Qatif, Qatar and Bahrain.

The Ottoman Sultan Mohammad Ali Pasha sent several campaigns (1812-1818) that
ended the triangular state. Bahrain returned to the control of Al-Khalifa family.

British in the Gulf

Britain's connection with Qatar is part of its influence in the Arabian Gulf as a whole.

This influence began with the establishment of the British East India Company, the company
which was active in subjecting the Gulf to Britain's control.

The British justified this control by ending piracy, weapon trade and slave trade and to make
peace at sea.

Britain implemented its policy in the Gulf through treaties and force.

These agreements began in 1820 and ended in 1916.

Britain was late in its relationship with Qatar because after Britain approved the general peace
treaties (Maritime Peace) in 1820, the British believed that the Qatari coasts fall within these
treaties.

The destroyer (VESTAL) of the British East India Company bombed the city of Al-Bida’a.
In 1823, the British Political Resident in the Gulf, MacLeod, made his first visit to Doha and
during his tour to the Gulf Coast, he found out that the Qataris do not know anything about the
peace treaty.

Therefore, the British Resident ordered that all ships to get the licenses and that the flags of the
treaty to be raised.

The British authorities in the Gulf noticed an increase in attacks on ships in the Gulf between
1835 and 1836. The responsibility was placed on the Sheikh of Doha by the British authorities,
and Doha was bombed in 1841.

?Who is Al-Thani

Part of the Al-Ma'adid branch of the Al-Wahba tribe, which is connected to the Tamim tribe.

Their journey took them from Ashaqir to Jibrin to Iskak to Al-Ruwais to Al-Zubara and finally to
Doha.

Chapter 3: Ottoman-British Competition over Qatar 1871-1915

The interest of the Ottoman Empire in the Arabian Gulf in the 19th century:

 It was the largest Islamic state, which embraces the caliphate.

 The peoples and the rulers of the Gulf have a spiritual connection to this issue.
 The need of some of the region's rulers for its power to confront the British and the
Persian.

Nafez Pasha's Campaign at Al-Ahsa in 1871

Sheikh Jassem went to Al-Ahsa to submit to the Ottomans.

Sheikh Jassem hung the Ottoman flag on his palace, and his father, Sheikh Mohammad, did not
object.

The British protested the keeping of an Ottoman garrison in Al-Bida.

The Ottomans reassured the British that it would not extend its influence on the rest of the Arab
coasts.
The Ottomans in 1872 pushed a new Ottoman force into Qatar and announced that Qatar had
become an "Ottoman Qaymaqam affiliated with the Al-Ahsa administratively.

Although Sheikh Jassem became the Qaymaqam of Qatar, he remained the ruler of the country.

How do you explain Sheikh Jassem's welcoming of the Ottomans?

 His desire to get rid of his father’s (Mohammad bin Thani) promises to the British.
 The British did not provide Qatar with complete protection.

Ottomans- British rivalry resulted in 2 problems:

First: The Problem of Al- Adid

Britain considered Al-Adid is not part of Qatar.

The Ottomans considered Al-Adid is part of Qatar, and therefore subject to the Ottomans
influence.

Second: The problem of Zubara

• The Ottomans wanted to rebuild the port of Zubara.

• The British refused.

What did the Ottomans do when Jassem expressed his loyalty to them?

1. The Ottomans established a custom department in Qatar.

2. The Ottomans sent 250 soldiers to support their military power.

3. The Ottomans ordered the building of a coal store and the setting up of a steam warship
in the waters of Qatar.

4. The Ottomans promised to stop the British protests regarding the problems in Doha
markets by controlling security.

Why did the Ottomans procedures make Sheikh Jassem annoyed?

1- Because it reduces his authority.

2- Because it deprives him of the custom’s taxes.
3- Because it allows the Ottomans to interfere in Qatar.
What was Sheikh Jassem's response?

1- He declared his non-recognition of Ottoman sovereignty.

2- He obstructed the establishment of the customs office.
3-He stopped paying tax to the Ottomans.

Relations worsened between Sheikh Jassem and the Ottomans leading to the battle of Wajbah in
1893.

Chapter 4: The Political Development of Qatar (1916-1949)

The Competition between the Ottomans and Britain in Qatar ended with the Anglo-Ottoman
agreement signed by Ibrahim Hakki Pasha and British Foreign Secretary Gray in 1913.

The 1913 treaty stated that:

1- The Ottomans give up all rights in Qatar.

2- Qatar must be governed by a Sheikh from Al-Thani, provided the ruling is
inherited by his successors.
3-The Ottomans must promise not to invade Qatar.
4- The British promise not to support Bahrain to invade Qatar.
5- The British protect Qatar from external forces by signing treaties with Saudis.

Darin Agreement

The British signed with the Saudi the Darin Agreement (Al-Qatif) in 1915.
Abdul Aziz Al Saud promised not to interfere in Qatar and the Emirates that fall
under British protection.

Jeddah Agreement

Abdul Aziz bin Saud, in 1927, promised to maintain good relationships with the Qatar
through the signing of Jeddah agreement.
The period before 1916 witnessed the following changes:
 1- The exit of Ottomans from Doha in 1915.
2- Sheikh Abdallah Bin Jassim became the ruler of Qatar in 1913.
3- The British took control of Qatar after the Ottomans left.
4- In 1916, Britain signed a treaty with Sheikh Abdullah to bring Qatar under the
Trucial States.
The Trucial States are Qatar, Bahrain + 7 UAE Emirates.

Why was the Treaty of 1916 signed?

1- The spread of the weapons trade in Qatar.

2- The spread of piracy in Qatar.
2- To fight the slave trade in the region.
3- The appearance of new powers competing with the British, especially the United
States, Japan, and Russia.
4- The British wanted to protect their interests in the region.

Articles of the 1916 Treaty

1. Sheikh Abdullah help the British to prevent the slave trade, piracy, and the
weapons trade.
2. The British offer Qatar financial assistance and limited amounts of weapons yearly.
3. The Sheikh promised to protect British merchants and the British representative in
Qatar.
4. Qatar was prevented from relations with any other country without British
approval.
5. The British promised to protect the Sheikh of Qatar in case of any attack from the
sea.
6. The Sheikh would not give any piece of Qatari land or make a concession without
British approval
 What are the Objections of the 1916 Treaty? (Reservations)

Sheikh Abdullah objected to:

 The appointment of a British agent in Doha.

 Allowing Indian merchants to enter the country as British subjects.
 Establishment of post and telegraph offices.

The Implementation of The Treaty

Sheikh Abdallah demanded from Britain several requests:

1. To help Qatar if it was exposed to internal threats.

2. To help Qatar by giving him cannons and rifles.
3. To help Qatar if Ibn Saud posed a danger.
4. To recognize his son Hamad as his successor.

Britain replied that it would not interfere in any internal affair unless Qatar was
attacked from the sea.

The British‐Qatari Negotiations Regarding the Airport

After Sheikh Abdullah refused the building of an airport in Doha, the British asked
for his approval to build an airport in Dukkan.
The British established a "shelter" in Dukan using bags of cement thrown from the
air.

The Oil Privileges Conflict

By the end of 1933, Britain reviewed the 1916 treaty and was forced to satisfy some of
Sheikh Abdallah's requests since the competition over oil privileges between Britain's
company "Anglo-Persian Company" and the American company "Standard Oil of
California” started.
 Renewing the Protectorate of 1916:

In 1935, Britain amended the treaty of 1916 and agreed to provide Qatar with the
protection it needed in exchange for granting the oil privilege to the Anglo-Persian
Petrol Company. This protection includes:

1. The British grant Qatar protection in return for oil concession for the Anglo‐
Persian Oil Company.

2. This protection apply to external attacks from the sea and the land.

3. The British agreed to acknowledge (Sheikh Hamad bin Abdallah) as Crown Prince.

Second World War and Its Consequences on Qatar

Between 1939-1949, the Second World War impacted the Qatari economy and
society. Some of these consequences include:

-The oil drilling was stopped in 1942 by the British because they went to the war.
-The Anglo-Persian Company closed its doors which led to the firing of workers
- The pearl trade and diving collapsed as the world demand decreased.
-The rising cost of living and the spread of disease and famine.

In 1949 Sheikh Abdullah left the rule to Sheikh Ali because:

1. He was sick.
2. Problems with some members of his family about their allowances.
3. British accusations that some problems occurred in Doha market.

• In 1949, the British appointed Mr. Cochrane in charge of security in Qatar.

• Britain appointed John Wilton as its political agent in Qatar.
 THE 5 BATTLES

1- The Battle of Ras Tanura

Atoub migrated from Najid (Saudi Arabia) to Zubara in Qatar.
They stayed in Zubara for 25 years.
A battle happened between Atoub and Al- Musalum from Qatar near Ras Tanura.
Atoub won but decided to leave for Kuwait.

2- The Battle of Um Swaya 1847

The reasons for the battle

Mohammad bin Khalifa (grandson) took the rule from his grandfather Abdullah in Bahrain
with the help of some Qatari tribes.

Abdullah (grandfather) went to Dammam in Saudi Arabia. He and his sons lost all their
properties in Bahrain.

Mohammed bin Al-Khalifa (grandson) relied on Issa bin Tarif bin Ali, who became his envoy in
Qatar.

The sons of Abdullah (grandfather) called Issa bin Tarif bin Ali and asked him to mediate with
Mohammad (grandson) to return to Bahrain.

This mediation made Mohammed (grandson) angry, and the problem between Al Khalifa and bin
Ali intensified.

The events of the battle

Bahrani (Al-Khalifa) and Qatari (Al Ali) engaged in a ground battle in 1847 at Um Swaya.

The Results of the Battle

1- Issa bin Tarif was killed.

2- Al bin Ali tribe was forced to leave Qatar for Abu Dhabi.
2- The hopes of the Sheikh Abdullah to return to Bahrain ended.
3- The Bahrainis destroyed Doha.
 3- The Battle of "End of Msimer” 1850
The events of the battle

Faisal Al Saud arrived Doha, the Qatari force led by Sheikh Jassem were ready to fight him.
Then, Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani made peace with Faisal for the following reasons:

1. The Qatari force feared that Faisal would return with more equipment .
2. It was the diving season, and many Qatari men were at work.
3. Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani wanted to spare the blood of the Qatari tribes.

The two parties (Al Saud and the Qatari tribes) made peace.

Faisal planned to attack Bahrain, so he demanded from Mohammed bin Thani to prepare ships to
invade Bahrain.

The Reasons for the battle

Faisal invading Bahrain with the help of Qatar.

Al Khalifa allied with Saeed bin Tahnoun, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, blockaded Doha from the sea
and prevented supplies from reaching it.

The Qataris depend on the supplies that were coming to them from Al- Ahsa.
Due to the presence of some Saudi force in Doha, neither the ruler of Bahrain nor the ruler of
Abu Dhabi dared to invade Doha.

The blockade of Doha ended with peace between Al Saud and Bahrain.
The Resaults of the battle

Bahrain won.
 4- The Battle of Damsa in 1868 (Al Wakra Incident in 1866)
The reasons for the battle

An attack by Al Khalifa occurred on a convoy of Al-Naeem in Al-Wakra market where

they took its belongings. The Sheikh of Al-Naeem (Ali bin Thamer) was arrested.

The events of the battle

· Sheikh Jassem interfered to release the Sheikh of Al-Naeem.

· Al Khalifa invited Sheikh Jassem and the leaders of Al-Naeem to visit Bahrain for
negotiations.
· Mohammed bin Khalifa imprisoned Sheikh Jassem in Bahrain.
· Al-Wakra and Doha were attacked and destroyed by Al Khalifa, with the help of
the ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The Qatari tribes decided to take revenge because:

•Al Khalifa arrested Sheikh Jassem.

• Al Khalifa attacked Qatar in Al-Wakra during the diving season.

The Qatari forces met the forces of Mohammad Al Khalifa, backed by the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi,
at a site called (Damasa), and the Qatari tribes succeeded in defeating Al Khalifa.

The Results of the battle

Some Al Khalifa Sheikhs were arrested.

The release of Sheikh Jassim Al Thani.

Al Thani tribe succeeded in leading the Qatari tribes because of their economic and social status.

Britin interfered and the 1868 agreement was reached.

The 1868 agreement between Britain and Bahrain

 Bahrain pays money to the Qatari.

 Bahrain promises to maintain peace at sea.
 Britain dismissed Mohammad bin Khalifa and appointed his brother Ali.
 Ali promised to hand over his brother to the British.
 Ali promised to hand over ships to Britain to be burned.
 Destruction of Abu Maher Fort (a castle where the Al Khalifa armies gather).

The 1868 agreement regarding Britain and Abu Dhabi

• Abu Dhabi pays money to the Qatari.

• Abu Dhabi apologizes to the Qataris.
• Abu Dhabi promises to maintain peace at sea.

The 1868 agreement between Britain and Qatar

1- Mohammad bin Thani returns to Doha.

2- Qatar promises to maintain peace at sea.
3- Whenever misunderstanding happens, the matter shall be referred to the British.
4- Mohammed bin Thani shall not help Mohammad bin Khalifa, and if he arrests him, he shall
hand him over to the British.
5- Mohammad bin Thani should maintain good relations with the new Sheikh of Bahrain, Ali bin
Khalifa.

5- The Battle of Al-Wajbah 1893

The Reasons for the Battle:

1- The Ottomans' attempt to establish a customs department in Qatar.

2- The Ottomans sent 250 soldiers to Qatar.
3-The Ottomans established a coal warehouse and a steam engine in the waters of Qatar .
The Events of the Battle

The governor of Basra, Mohammad Hafez Pasha with a military force of 300 horsemen and an
infantry division was the leader of the Ottoman campaign on Doha in 1893.

 The Ottomans requested military support from the ruler of Kuwait (Sheikh Mohammad
Al-Sabah) to conquest Qatar. Sheikh Sabah prepared an army under the leadership of his
brother Mubarak.
 Sheikh Jassem learned about Hafez Pasha's campaign and prepared his army.
 He tricked the Ottomans by announcing that he would leave Doha to Al-Wajbah area,
and that he resigned from his position as Qaymaqam, which his brother Sheikh Ahmed
Al Thani would take over, claiming that he is sick and old.
 Sheikh Ahmed welcomed the Ottoman governor, Hafez Pasha and negotiated with him
for about a month on behalf of Sheikh Jassem.
 The governor requested that Sheikh Jassem pays taxes.
 Negotiations failed and Sheikh Jassem refused to leave Al-Wajbah.
 Hafez Pasha sent his infantry commander to meet with Sheikh Jassem in his palace, and
Sheikh Jassem considered that an insult.
 In 1893, the governor arrested Sheikh Ahmed and 12 men from Doha's delegates.
 When Sheikh Jassem received the news, he tricked the Ottomans that he left Qatar and
got rid of his forces, while in fact, he distributed them on strategic places in Qatar.
 Qatari forces attacked Ottomans soldiers and took control of water wells and forced the
governor to release Sheikh Ahmed and the Qatari delegates.

The Results of the Battle

1- The defeat of the Ottomans in the battle which lowered their prestige in the eyes of the
Arab tribes.

2- Sheikh Jassem asked the Ottoman governor to expel all the soldiers he brought with him
from Al-Ahsa and to keep only the Ottoman division in Al-Bida'.
3- Sultan Abdul Hamid II dismissed the governor of Basra after the battle.

4- The new Ottoman governor in Basra refused to discuss settling the crisis between the
Ottomans and Sheikh Jassem with the presence of the British political resident (Talbot) in
fear the British resident supports Sheikh Jassem.