Historical Events in Qatar and Bahrain (1716-1847)

The Al Ma’adhid and Al Utub tribes migrated from Najd to Eastern Arabia in the early 18th century, seeking a new home.

The Utub tribe, with its branches Al Sabah, Al Khalifa, and Al Jalahma, initially settled in Zubarah but soon moved to Kuwait in 1716 due to conflicts.

Conflicts among the Utub branches led to the Al Khalifa and Al Jalahma returning to Zubarah in 1766, where they remained until 1783, before moving to Bahrain.

Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohammad Al Khalifa became the ruler of Bahrain in 1783, defeating the Al Madhkur with the support of Qatari tribes.

The Al Thani family belongs to the Al Ma’adhid lineage, tracing their ancestry back to Banu Tamim, a tribe that faced a drought and migrated from central Arabia to Doha.

The First Saudi State, established in 1745, ruled over Qatar and the Gulf Coast in 1788, leading to conflict with the Ottomans.

The Ottomans, seeing the First Saudi State as a threat, sought help from the ruler of Egypt, Muhammad Ali Pasha, who sent a military campaign led by his son Ibrahim Pasha to reconquer Diriyah and dismantle the First Saudi State.

The Bahrain Civil War (1840-1843) involved a conflict between Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed and his cousin, Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalifa, leading to battles in Bahrain and Qatar, and ultimately resulting in the Qataris gaining more influence.

The British saw the Qawasim as a threat in the Arabian Gulf due to their opposition to British authority.

The British military campaign against Ras Al Khaimah in 1819 successfully weakened the Qawasim and increased British influence in the Arabian Gulf.

The Ottoman Empire realized they needed to strengthen their presence in the Arabian Gulf after witnessing the British growing influence.

A dispute between the sons of Faisal bin Turki, Saud and Abdullah, led Abdullah to seek help from the Ottomans, resulting in the Al Ahsa Campaign in 1871.

Sheikh Jassim accepted the Ottomans' sovereignty over Qatar and allowed them to establish a military garrison in Doha to resolve obligations from a previous treaty and gain political independence by exploiting British-Ottoman rivalry.

The Ottomans' presence in Qatar was limited and only lasted until 1915, primarily due to the British reluctance to confront the Ottomans.

The Ottoman proposal for a customs house in Doha in 1888 led to strained relations with Sheikh Jassim, who opposed it due to concerns about economic consequences and the Ottomans' lack of support during a conflict with Abu Dhabi.

An armed conflict erupted between Qatar and the Ottoman Empire in 1893 after Sheikh Jassim rejected the Ottoman proposal for a customs house in Doha.

The 1852 battle between Sheikh Mohammad bin Khalifa's forces and the Qataris in Doha. Sheikh Mohammad sought help from the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoun, in the sea attack, but the Qataris, led by Sheikh Mohammad Al Thani, successfully defended their land due to their readiness and alliance with the Saudi state.

The ruler of Qatar from 1840, Sheikh Mohammad Al Thani, with the support of his son Sheikh Jassim, aimed to regain Qatar's independence. This period saw a surge in Qatari nationalism and a desire for self-determination.

In 1866, tensions escalated between the Qataris and the Al Khalifa representatives in Qatar, leading to a confrontation at Al Wakrah. Sheikh Jassim, the son of Sheikh Mohammad Al Thani, successfully seized control of Al Wakrah from Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

Sheikh Jassim was invited to Bahrain for discussions but was imprisoned. The Al Khalifa used this opportunity to strike an alliance with Abu Dhabi's ruler and launched a joint attack on Doha.

The Qataris responded to the attack with their own counter-attack on Bahrain. The battle took place at Damsa and resulted in the capturing of key Bahraini figures, Ibrahim bin Isa Al Khalifa and Hamoud bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The British authorities intervened in the conflict between Qatar and Bahrain, holding Bahrain accountable for the actions. They imposed a fine and a formal apology on Abu Dhabi, and a new ruler was appointed in Bahrain.

The Al Thani family was formally recognized by the British as the ruling family of Qatar. This paved the way for future relationships between Qatar and the British.

The first official contact between Qatar and Bahrain. It established relations between the two countries and marked the beginning of a new chapter in their interactions.

Sheikh Jassim of Qatar cleverly planned and launched a successful resistance against the Ottoman forces led by Hafiz Pasha in 1893, ultimately securing Qatar's independence from Ottoman rule.

Sheikh Jassim's successful defense against the Ottoman forces in the Battle of Wajbah solidified his position as a strong and respected leader among Qatar's tribes.

The Battle of Wajbah had significant consequences for the Ottoman Empire; it marked a decline in their influence in the Gulf region, paving the way for British dominance.

The Ottomans' attempts to impose direct rule over Qatar, including imposing back taxes, increasing troop presence, and interfering in internal affairs, led to the conflict with Sheikh Jassim and the Battle of Wajbah.

Following the defeat in the Battle of Wajbah, the Ottomans were forced to negotiate with Sheikh Jassim, ultimately accepting his resignation as the Ottoman-appointed governor and returning seized weapons.

The Battle of Wajbah was a turning point in Qatar's history, leading to substantial changes in the region's power dynamics and paving the way for Sheikh Jassim's eventual establishment of an independent Qatar.

Despite their initial attempts to control Qatar, the Ottomans ultimately recognized their weakening influence in the region. This is evident in their eventual agreement with the British, marking a decline in Ottoman power.

The Anglo-Ottoman agreement, signed in 1913, formally recognized the British sphere of influence in the Gulf region, marking a significant shift in power dynamics.

The 1935 Renewed Treaty between Qatar and Britain secured protection for Qatar, designated the British Royal Air Force for defense, and established legal jurisdiction for British nationals and non-Muslim foreigners, with British judges overseeing cases.

Oil exploration intensified in Qatar, culminating in the discovery of well no. 1 in Dukhan, which struck oil in January 1940.

Qatar's economic conditions during World War II were severely impacted by halted oil exploration, loss of revenue from the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's closure, and decline in the pearl industry due to trade disruptions.

Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah's reign (1949-1960) was marked by significant economic growth fueled by oil revenues, development in education and judicial systems, and increased involvement in Arab affairs.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Ali's reign (1960-1972) brought about significant changes: removing British advisors, achieving independence from Bahrain, and establishing basic laws and a cabinet, leading to a period of substantial financial growth.

The removal of British advisors and the political resident in 1960 and 1971 respectively marked a shift in Qatar's political landscape, signifying a move towards greater autonomy.

The introduction of the temporary basic law and the first cabinet in 1970 represented key steps toward establishing a modern Qatari government.

Qatar's independence from Bahrain in 1971 marked a major turning point, establishing Qatar as a separate and sovereign entity in the region.

Great Britain's decision to withdraw from Qatar in 1968, ending their influence on the country.

A proposed union of nine emirates in the Arabian Gulf, including Qatar, that failed to materialize due to disagreements and unresolved issues.

The key factors that led to Britain's withdrawal from Qatar, including the rise of Arab nationalism, British economic decline, and international competition over oil concessions.

Qatar's formal declaration of independence from British protection on September 3, 1971, ending their colonial relationship.

The period after Qatar's independence, marked by establishing new diplomatic relations, joining international organizations, and changing the head of state's title.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, who ruled Qatar from 1972 to 1995, and focused on economic growth, education, and modernization during his reign.

The key economic achievements of Sheikh Khalifa's reign, which led to the nationalization of oil companies, the establishment of Qatar LNG, and investments in infrastructure and industry.

The focus on education during Sheikh Khalifa's reign, with increases in schools, evening classes, and literacy programs.