In 2021, I published a monograph entitled The Decisive Distinction in the Lineage and History of Al Qasimi Family, representing the culmination of four decades of sustained historical research. At the time of publication, it was not possible to include a detailed account of the Omani branch of the Qawasim due to the limited availability of primary sources that directly linked them to the Qawasim of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Following a further four years of archival investigation, I was able to access new historical materials that yielded critical insights into the lineage and migratory history of the Qawasim in Oman. These findings have since made it possible to offer a more comprehensive reconstruction of their early presence and patterns of settlement in the region.
1. The Qawasim on the Coast of Oman
Historical records indicate that the Qawasim reached the Omani coast toward the end of the year 1613 CE. Their initial settlement was established in Al Jazirah Al Hamra (commonly referred to as "The Red Island"), a site that becomes physically connected to the mainland during low tide. Among the earliest individuals involved in this migration were:
- Kaid Rahma bin Hammoud Adwan Al Qasimi, who settled in the town of Adhen in the mountain foothills.
- Saif bin Ali bin Saleh Al Qasimi, who headed towards Tel Al-Sair, east of Ras Al Khaimah.
- Sheikh Qadhib bin Saeed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who remained in Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
- Sheikh Fahim bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, who moved to Sharjah and settled there.
Leadership within the Qawasim initially resided with Kaid Rahma bin Hammoud Adwan Al Qasimi, and subsequently passed to his sons. The early political centre of the Qawasim was established in the town of Adhen, prior to its relocation to Ras Al Khaimah.
In 1648, Sheikh Saif bin Ali bin Saleh Al Qasimi, then the Sheikh of Sair, acted as an independent mediator in a treaty negotiated between the Portuguese and the Ya’ariba.
By 1653, his son, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saif bin Ali bin Saleh Al Qasimi—who had succeeded him as Sheikh of Sair—was implicated in a Portuguese-orchestrated conspiracy to assassinate Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik Al-Ya’arubi.
Those apprehended in connection with the plot included Sheikh Mohammed bin Saif Al Qasimi, Sheikh Fahim bin Ahmed Al Qasimi (Sheikh of Sharjah), and three of their associates. All were subsequently executed.
In response, the Ya’ariba forces occupied the town of Sair and razed its fortifications. Ali, the son of the executed Sheikh Mohammed bin Saif Al Qasimi, fled the region and sought refuge on the Persian coast, where he established residence in the town of Kong.
In 1668, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Qadhib bin Saeed Al Qasimi, the Sheikh of Al Jazirah Al Hamra, served as one of the naval commanders under the Ya’ariba. Following the Battle of Diu Island—and prior to the return of the main Omani fleet—he independently dispatched a force to Diu. This action resulted in the deaths of 200 Omani soldiers.
Imam Sultan bin Saif bin Malik did not reward Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Qasimi for his involvement, prompting him to withdraw from military service and relocate to Kong on the Persian coast, where he turned to commerce.
2. The Qawasim on the Persian Coast
In 1668, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Qasimi arrived in the town of Kong, which had, by that period, supplanted Hormuz and Bandar Abbas as the principal commercial port on the Persian coast.
Trade in Kong experienced significant growth, with the establishment of numerous commercial offices and the presence of a diverse merchant community. Among these were Indian traders, particularly a prominent group from Punjab originating from a village known as Malla Udey (also rendered as Malodi or Mala), who constructed a settlement named after their homeland.
This settlement, known as Malodi, was located approximately 7 kilometers east of Kong, situated within mountainous terrain at an elevation of 50 meters and 2 kilometers from the coastline. It comprised around 200 houses constructed from stone and gypsum.
Upon Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's arrival, the Indian merchants were preparing to repatriate to India to assume leadership positions within their native community. Consequently, they began liquidating their assets and selling their properties to those capable of acquiring them. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid purchased all of their holdings, including the village of Malodi.
In Ramadan 1079 AH (March 1669 CE), a military confrontation took place between Omani and Portuguese forces along the Persian coast, resulting in an Omani defeat. Upon receiving this news, Sheikh Mohammed mobilised 13 ships stationed at Kong and led an attack on the Portuguese flagship anchored nearby. Although his forces succeeded in seizing control of the vessel, Portuguese troops stationed above deck opened fire, fatally shooting Sheikh Mohammed in the head.
At the time of his death, his son, Rashid bin Mohammed, was still a minor. As a result, guardianship and authority over Qawasim affairs on the Persian coast were transferred to Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed bin Saif Al Qasimi, the son of the previously executed Sheikh of Sair. Sheikh Ali served as both guardian and representative.
Upon reaching maturity, Rashid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi relocated to Qeshm Island, where he established a port named Basidouh, in honour of his grandfather. He appointed Sheikh Ali to remain in Malodi, where the latter came to be known as Ali Al-Malodi.
In 1728, Rahma bin Matar Al-Huwaili launched an assault on Ras Al Khaimah, successfully capturing it and killing its ruler, Sheikh Saeed bin Kaid Rahma Al Qasimi. In the aftermath, the young Qadhib bin Saeed, son of the slain Sheikh, fled by sea to Basidouh, where he was received by his uncle, Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. According to some accounts, the coup was orchestrated by Muscat.
As a result of these events, approximately 1,000 families from Ras Al Khaimah migrated to Basidouh. In response, Sheikh Rashid delegated authority to Sheikh Saleh bin Ali Al-Malodi Al Qasimi—his agent in Kong—to manage their affairs.
Sheikh Saleh subsequently leased land from the Emir of Lar, located across the Strait from Basidouh, and established a settlement named Lengeh (a Persian term meaning “opposite”).
In Lengeh, Qadhib bin Saeed Al Qasimi married the daughter of Sheikh Saleh bin Ali Al-Malodi. Sheikh Saleh, in turn, also married and built a residence within a palm grove near Shinas, naming it Malodi (or Mala), in memory of the earlier settlement.
His son, Mohammed, would later serve as a minister to the Sheikh of Lengeh, and his grandson, Saleh bin Mohammed bin Saleh bin Ali Al-Malodi, continued this legacy by serving under Sheikh Qadhib bin Rashid Al Qasimi of Lengeh.
Saleh bin Mohammed played a significant role in diplomatic efforts, participating in negotiations between the British and Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi. He later accompanied Sheikh Sultan to Ras Al Khaimah.
3. The Omani Qawasim in Jissah, Muscat
On 6 February 1806, in Bandar Abbas, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi concluded an agreement with the British East India Company, represented by Captain David Seton, the Company’s resident in Muscat. The negotiations were conducted by Abdullah bin Jasim bin Qurs, with the assistance of Sheikh Matar bin Rahma Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah and Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed bin Saleh bin Ali Al-Malodi Al Qasimi of Lengeh.
Following the agreement, Sheikh Sultan returned to Ras Al Khaimah, accompanied by Sheikh Saleh and his delegation.
News of the treaty with the British soon reached Diriyah, the capital of the First Saudi State. In response, Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud dispatched Mohammed bin Salama to Ras Al Khaimah in March 1809, summoning Sheikh Sultan to Diriyah. Upon his arrival, Sheikh Sultan was detained, and Mohammed bin Salama installed Sheikh Hassan bin Rahma Al Qasimi as the new leader.
Subsequently, Sheikh Hassan dispatched a Wahhabi military force under the command of Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed Al-Malodi to occupy the coastal town of Sur—a mission which was successfully executed.
In August 1809, British forces launched an assault on Ras Al Khaimah, resulting in the destruction of the town and the burning of all vessels in its harbour.
In July 1811, Imam Said bin Sultan of Muscat mounted a military campaign to recapture Sur, which remained under Wahhabi control. The conflict was marked by intense combat and significant Wahhabi losses, ultimately leading to the surrender of Sheikh Saleh.
Following the campaign, Imam Said granted the Qawasim who had been based in Sur the right to settle in the village of Jissah, near Muscat, where they constructed homes under his protection and patronage.
The descendants of Sheikh Saleh include Mohammed, followed by Rashid and Ali, and subsequently Abdullah. Abdullah became the progenitor of the Ali Al-Malodi branch of the Qawasim in Jissah. His brother, Mubarak bin Abdullah, resided in Sur, and Mubarak’s son, Mohammed bin Mubarak, later relocated to Sharjah, where his descendants continue to reside today.
4. The Omani Qawasim in Samail
In 1817, the Ottoman military campaign led by Ibrahim Pasha resulted in the occupation of Diriyah and the surrounding towns of Najd. This campaign effectively eliminated the Saudi presence in Oman and along the coastal regions for a period of six years.
By 1822, Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Saud re-emerged as a political force, successfully reclaiming Najd. By mid-1824, he had consolidated control over Riyadh and re-established his authority across the region.
Upon assuming power, Prince Turki initiated diplomatic outreach to the rulers of the Omani coast. Among the recipients of his correspondence were Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi of Ajman and Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Mualla of Umm Al Quwain. However, the letter addressed to Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi—then residing in Lengeh—was of particular concern.
So alarmed was Sheikh Sultan by the content of the letter that he had it translated into English by Mullah Hussein, the British political agent in Mughuwah (on the Persian coast), and subsequently forwarded it to the British authorities.
British observers interpreted the return of Al Saud’s influence as a catalyst for renewed tribal mobilisation and potential hostility toward British interests in the region. In his letter, Prince Turki informed Sheikh Sultan of his intention to assert authority over all inhabitants of the Emirates. Despite this broad declaration, the letter reaffirmed Prince Turki’s friendship with Sheikh Sultan, pledging continued respect and non-interference in his governance, unless it served Sheikh Sultan’s own interests. He also explicitly requested the restoration of the Al-Buraimi Fort.
Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr complied, hoping to strengthen his presence in the interior under the broader patronage of Al Saud. He appointed his son, Sheikh Nasser bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, as governor of Al-Buraimi and dispatched with him a garrison of troops recruited from the village of Shuwaiha, located in the territory of Bani Kaab. These troops, referred to as the Shuwaihyun, were settled at the fort.
Shortly thereafter, objections arose from Imam Said bin Sultan of Muscat. The Imam’s concern was communicated through Sheikh Mohammed bin Salim Al Shamsi, the tribal leader of the Al Shawamis in Al-Buraimi. Acting upon this protest, the Imam—through British diplomatic channels—demanded that Sheikh Sultan demolish the Al-Buraimi Fort and withdraw his forces.
As Sheikh Sultan was unable to carry out the demolition himself, he instructed his son, Sheikh Nasser, to withdraw the garrison and the Shuwaihyun from the area.
Upon receiving intelligence that Imam Said’s forces had occupied the village of Shuwaiha, Sheikh Nasser opted for a strategic retreat. He, along with the Shuwaihyun, travelled through Ibri and settled in Samail—a stronghold of the Banu Ghafir tribe, known allies of the Al Saud.
While in Samail, Sheikh Nasser bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi married a woman from the Banu Ghafir tribe. From this union, a son was born: Hilal bin Nasser bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Hilal later fathered Khamis, whose son, Hamad bin Khamis bin Hilal bin Nasser bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, became the fifth-generation ancestor of the Omani branch of the Al Qasimi family in Samail.
Sheikh Nasser bin Sultan also left descendants in Ras Al Khaimah (see: Al-Tathkira bil-Arham by the author)(4)
Al Qasimi, S.