His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, occupies a distinctive position through his scholarly rigor, profound historical consciousness, and his conviction that the writing of history constitutes a responsibility of both national and universal significance. In this spirit, he has produced the monumental five-volume encyclopaedia The History of Alqawasim—a cultural and historical enterprise of enduring value. This work, which commands the attention of scholars and readers alike, contributes substantially to the recovery of historical truths obscured by partial or distorted narratives, thereby establishing itself as a seminal reference in the field of Gulf and wider world history.
We stand today before a monumental work that elevates the discipline of historical compilation to a higher plane—one that interrogates documents and references with rigour, reviving for the nation the legacy of Al Qawasim family and their central role in the history of the Gulf and the wider Arab world across the centuries. Within its extensive pages lies an exceptional exercise in documentation and analysis, through which His Highness constructs a living bridge between the past of the forefathers and the present of succeeding generations, demonstrating that historical heritage remains an indispensable foundation for shaping the future and ensuring the elevation of nations.
It is scarcely surprising that His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi should undertake such an intellectual and scholarly endeavour with such ardour, for he has been a student and explorer of history since his youth. This enduring passion is reflected in his devotion to manuscripts and his relentless pursuit of archival sources across the world, in search of original documents that reveal the past with clarity, untainted by haste or prejudice. It is from this perspective that the encyclopaedia The History of Alqawasim emerges, embodying the spirit of a truthful and conscientious historian who consistently upholds the values of knowledge, justice, and historical integrity.
His Highness inaugurates his historical encyclopaedia in a manner befitting a historian who transcends mere narration of events, elevating historical writing to the domain of rigorous precision and critical inquiry. He meticulously traces the currents of history and the intertwined narratives that shaped the eminence of Al Qawasim, engraving their enduring presence upon the shores of the Arabian Gulf. With a discerning eye, he extracts the essence of events from a multitude of archives, first scrutinising what foreign chroniclers omitted or misrepresented in their accounts of the region, and carefully restoring matters to their proper context. He eschews all simplification and refuses to yield to narratives distorted by bias or misunderstanding. His frequent engagement with sources such as John Malcolm, Lorimer, and William Bruce serves as scholarly waypoints, revealing the intersections and divergences between local accounts and Western narratives, and demonstrating how His Highness was able to resolve historical contradictions, reinstating Al Qawasim in their authentic image, free from the distortions of colonial stereotypes.
This volume bears the weighty responsibility of addressing fundamental questions concerning origins and explaining why the Qawasim occupied a central role in the defining events of the region. Across its pages, the reader witnesses His Highness’s unwavering commitment to presenting a comprehensive portrait of Al Qawasim leaders—their sagacity, statesmanship, and strategic acumen—while simultaneously foregrounding the historian’s enduring concern for historical justice. This commitment compelled him to probe the most detailed accounts, carefully weighing local narratives against foreign records. His Highness’s rigorous methodology is evident in the manner in which he presents events and deconstructs prevailing narratives, illuminating aspects of history that were previously neglected or obscured, and rendering them as precise, substantiated facts grounded in rational analysis and documentary evidence.
In this work, literary narration converges with the rigor of scientific inquiry, rendering every detail a deliberate act of reclaiming the identity of place and the historical legacy of the Arab peoples of the Gulf. His Highness guides the reader through the intricate landscapes of politics, economy, and society, reconstructing the instruments of power and frameworks of authority with meticulous impartiality and without redundancy. Within the folds of this encyclopaedic work emerges the narrative of a people resolute in confronting the designs of colonial powers, whose state was founded upon dignity, loyalty, and an unwavering will for freedom.
This work is conceived not merely as an academic encyclopaedia for professional historians, but as a source of intellectual nourishment for every free reader devoted to truth and engaged with the concerns of the nation and the understanding of its past. It allows the voice of the conscientious historian to resonate widely, presenting history with the firm conviction that the preservation of collective memory is simultaneously the duty of the scholar and the responsibility of the statesman.
A Pivotal Role
This historical encyclopaedia illuminates the pivotal role of Al Qawasim family, a lineage that embodied a decisive political and maritime presence across the Arabian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula. From the eighteenth century onward, Al Qawasim exercised significant authority in safeguarding maritime trade routes and confronting both regional and international powers intent on undermining local autonomy and imposing dominance over the Gulf. The five volumes stand as a testament to Al Qawasim’s evolution from a formidable local power into a key actor shaping international dynamics, particularly amid the ascendancy of European colonial powers and their repeated efforts to seize control of strategic waterways.
What sets apart the historical project of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah is its rigorous methodology, anchored in strict documentary evidence rather than relying solely on oral tradition. The work draws upon an extensive array of sources, including British, Portuguese, Indian, and Ottoman archives, alongside a distinguished collection of original Arabic manuscripts. This scholarly approach affords profound insights in the pursuit of historical truth, presenting the reader with authentic, documented history rather than a mere compilation of widely circulated accounts. Furthermore, His Highness’s documentary method extends beyond citation: he actively engages with the sources, critically deconstructing their colonial narratives to reveal the underlying realities.
Through this monumental intellectual endeavour, His Highness illuminates the History of Alqawasim across the period from 622 to 1825 AD, a critical era shaped by foreign ambitions and regional conflicts. This turbulent historical landscape called for the meticulous precision of the historian and the discerning awareness of the researcher, qualities that permeate every page of the work.
The Researcher’s Acumen
In this work, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi demonstrates exceptional skill in tracing the genealogy of Al Qawasim family, combining the precision of a historian with the analytical insight of a seasoned researcher. He meticulously charts the succession of names that attest to the family’s noble lineage, delving into historical records to reveal the continuity of its temporal authority and the chain of succession that underpinned the ruling family’s power and political legitimacy in the Arabian Gulf.
The book presents these names in a sequential and comprehensive manner, affirming the authenticity of the lineage and the integrity of its heritage. This meticulous approach confers added scholarly value, as genealogy is verified and documented according to a methodical framework that carefully considers both sequence and the prominence of each figure. It exemplifies His Highness’s commitment to narrating historical truth, rather than merely reciting inherited accounts. In this way, genealogy emerges not only as a marker of identity but also as a foundational pillar in the civilizational edifice of Al Qawasim.
Although the book illuminates the History of Alqawasim within the broader context of the UAE and the Gulf, its significance extends far beyond local boundaries. It chronicles a human experience defined by the resistance to colonial encroachment, the preservation of sovereignty, and the construction of political prestige acknowledged by other nations. Consequently, it offers both Arab and Western readers a rich and nuanced resource for understanding a historical trajectory that shaped the balance of power in the Middle East.
It is no exaggeration to assert that the History of Alqawasim has left a profound imprint on historical scholarship. The work constitutes a valuable addition to the Arab intellectual heritage and serves as an indispensable reference for researchers of maritime history, regional politics, and international relations across the past three centuries. Moreover, it stands as a testament to the enlightened vision of a cultured ruler, who conceives governance not merely as the daily administration of affairs, but as a solemn responsibility toward collective memory, identity, and history.
As the reader progresses through the chapters of this encyclopaedia, it becomes evident that behind the meticulously documented narrative stands an academic historian who inhabits the events he recounts, imbuing every word with a profound awareness of the immense responsibility inherent in researching history with impartiality. It is this human presence, this ethical and intellectual rigor, that endows the work with its enduring strength and impact.
Continuity
When one reflects upon this cultural and historical project, it becomes clear that its significance transcends mere documentation. The work serves as a reminder to younger generations that they are the inheritors of a legacy marked by heroism, struggle, and sacrifice—that they are the custodians of an enduring glory. In this sense, The History of the Qawasim functions as a perennial reference, to which readers may return in pursuit of their roots and identity.
Numerous chapters examine Al Qawasim’s intimate relationship with the sea, portraying it not merely as a space of sovereignty and identity, but as a vital corridor for commerce and pearl diving. Al Qawasim left an indelible mark upon the high seas, their name synonymous with maritime prowess that resisted even the mightiest empires. Across these pages, the reader encounters vivid accounts of courage and valor—men whose deeds inscribed an epic defense of land, dignity, and collective heritage.
Balances of Power
In the pivotal introduction entitled “Al Qawasim between Alliances and Wars”, His Highness situates the reader before a comprehensive panorama of the interplay of forces and the complex web of alliances in which Al Qawasim were engaged along the Omani coast and throughout the Arabian Gulf. This struggle emerges not as a series of isolated incidents but as a sustained political and military trajectory that established and entrenched Qasimi presence firmly within the region.
The work meticulously details the origins of Al Qasimi settlement along the Omani coast—a settlement forged not in tranquility, but amid constant upheavals imposed by foreign powers, most prominently the Portuguese, who sought control over trade routes and strategic strongholds across the Gulf.
Significant episodes, such as Al Qawasim alliance with the Persians to confront Portuguese ambitions, underscore the political pragmatism of the era. Al Qawasim demonstrated a flexible approach to shifting alliances, a strategy that enabled them to endure and resist the pressures of regional and foreign powers. This flexibility, however, inevitably led to complex circumstances, as Al Qawasim later found themselves allied with the Omanis against the very Persians they had once supported.
His Highness illuminates a tightly woven tapestry of conflict among multiple actors in the Arabian Gulf, where confrontations were shaped as much by political maneuvering and narrow interests as by force of arms. Within this volatile landscape, the Qawasim’s strategic acumen becomes evident, particularly when they emerged as commanders of the Ya‘rubi armies—a role that transcended military leadership to symbolize the people’s trust in their courage and tactical skill.
The encyclopaedia also reveals previously overlooked details of regional agreements that established new political equilibria, demonstrating Al Qawasim’s foresight in cultivating alliances to preserve stability and avoid isolation in the face of external threats.
Equally important, His Highness explores dimensions that extend beyond politics into the intellectual and religious spheres. He examines Al Qawasim’s engagement with the religious currents of the era, offering a reflective analysis of critical moments of transformation and demonstrating a profound awareness of their significance in shaping the course of regional history.
What distinguishes this work is not merely the richness of its historical material, but the spirit in which His Highness has crafted the narrative—a historian’s spirit that penetrates the fabric of events, examining their underlying motives and contexts, and situating them within broader human, political, and intellectual frameworks.
Contentious Issues
With both eloquence and incisive insight, His Highness advances his pioneering documentary endeavour. This work serves as a foundational reference for a comprehensive understanding of the history of Al Qawasim and their formative role in shaping the contours of the Arabian Gulf. Throughout its chapters, the Ruler of Sharjah presents a nuanced tableau of alliances, intrigues, and intellectual and religious affiliations, affirming that the Qawasim were not mere spectators but active agents in regional balances of power and in the pivotal struggles that defined the Gulf.
The book guides the reader through pivotal phases marking the inception of Qasimi rule in Ras Al Khaimah—a period defined by intricate political transformations and the emergence of new intellectual and political currents across the Arabian Peninsula, which ultimately culminated in an agreement with the British. This strategic alignment, however, provoked the displeasure of certain regional powers.
His Highness meticulously reconstructs the circumstances surrounding the imprisonment of Sultan bin Saqr, the subsequent appointment of Hassan bin Rahma as ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Sultan’s eventual escape and return to reclaim his authority. These events, often absent or superficially treated in other sources, are presented here through careful analysis of official documents and correspondence.
Within the broader context of Gulf conflicts, His Highness demonstrates how the British, despite their initial alignment with Al Qawasim, harboured competing ambitions. By the late eighteenth century, the emergence of other regional powers presented threats that, in the British perception, rivaled or even exceeded those posed by the Qawasim.
The book provides a detailed account of Britain’s deployment of Captain John Malcolm to execute a comprehensive strategy aimed at restoring British commercial and military influence in the Gulf—an expedition that presaged a deliberate colonial project designed to dismantle any rival maritime or political power.
His Highness confronts some of the most contentious issues of the early eighteenth century, exemplifying the historian’s essential role in challenging distorted narratives and uncovering deliberate fabrications employed by certain powers for political ends. Through meticulous examination of archival sources and official correspondence, he clarifies the actual circumstances of numerous incidents, demonstrating how they were frequently politicized to undermine political rivals.
Revealing the Truth
Among the maritime incidents to which His Highness devoted considerable attention were the famous cases of the Bremer, Shannon, and Minerva. These events provided fertile ground for British narratives that sought to malign the rulers of the region and accuse them of piracy—charges employed by Britain to justify military intervention in the Gulf. Drawing upon extensive documentation and official correspondence, His Highness uncovers the underlying realities of these incidents, demonstrating that they were part of a broader struggle for control over Gulf trade routes involving multiple actors. He further shows that depicting these events as acts of piracy was a deliberate fabrication, intended to legitimize British political and commercial domination.
The book further examines the peace treaty concluded between Al Qawasim and the British government under the auspices of Captain David Seton. Through a meticulous analysis of the treaty’s clauses and the surrounding discussions, His Highness demonstrates that British intentions were never genuinely oriented toward peace. Rather, the treaty functioned as a tactical maneuver to buy time, while the ultimate objective remained the total control of Gulf trade. The British East India Company, committed to its policy of monopolizing maritime navigation, continued to orchestrate plans aimed at dismantling Qawasim power in Ras Al Khaimah.
Another truth that His Highness elucidates with careful refutation is the British reliance on certain regional powers when they were unable to confront the Qawasim directly. Lacking both evidences to justify accusations and sufficient military strength to subdue them, the British turned to these powers in an effort to coordinate strategies and alter the balance of dominance. His Highness draws upon documentary correspondence between William Bruce and the leaders of these powers, revealing how the British East India Company sought to employ them as instruments in advancing its colonial-commercial agenda.
His Highness further deconstructs the narratives surrounding the Vestal cruiser incident, which Western sources had long presented as evidence of Al Qawasim “aggression.” Through meticulous examination of the archival documents, he clarifies the actual events and systematically refutes the exaggerated accounts, revealing them as part of a broader media campaign orchestrated by Britain to discredit Al Qawasim.
The narrative then reaches the climax of confrontation, detailing the British campaign led by John Malcolm, which directly targeted Ras Al Khaimah. Following six days of heroic resistance, British forces succeeded in capturing the town, leaving behind numerous dead and wounded, and concluded their assault by destroying the town and setting its ships ablaze. The invaders subsequently advanced to Rams, where they took 380 fighters prisoner under the command of Sheikh Muhsin bin Ali Al-Tuniji. The campaign extended further, with orders issued to demolish all fortifications along the Arab coast from Rams to Abu Hail, in a sweeping effort to deprive Al Qawasim of any future capacity for resistance.
His Highness elucidates how this phase culminated in the signing of a new treaty imposed upon all the sheikhs of the Arab coast and Bahrain. Al Qawasim flag (the Ghafiri banner) was lowered from Sharjah Fort, replaced by the British occupation flag. Yet he frames this episode not as a conclusion, but as a pivotal turning point between devastation and submission—a commencement of a new chapter in Al Qawasim history, one that reshaped the region’s trajectory for decades.
His Highness also dedicates careful attention to the social dimension of this historical period, presenting a vivid portrayal of the lives of Sharjah’s inhabitants. The population did not exceed two thousand, and their subsistence depended primarily on fishing and the importation of dates and grains. In other words, the region lacked significant material wealth, existing instead in simplicity and resilience—a reality that heightens the tragic impact of the colonial campaigns waged against them.
Value
The History of Alqawasim is a work that undertakes the rewriting of history through the lens of a historian and ruler who values accuracy, honesty, and integrity in the recounting of events. The Ruler of Sharjah allows no space for misleading narratives to persist; rather, he systematically dismantles them, relying on authentic documents and primary sources. Through this rigorous approach, he provides the reader with a clear and untainted account of Al Qawasim’s history in the Gulf, elevating history into a national and ethical mission—one that honors the forefathers, preserves Arab and Gulf collective memory from distortion, and imparts to future generations the enduring lesson that truth, however long obscured, will inevitably emerge.
Successive Events
In the second volume of The History of Alqawasim, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi records:
In 1624, Portuguese forces launched an attack on Khorfakkan. Following fierce confrontations, they succeeded in expelling Kaid bin Adwan from the town after a two-year occupation. Kaid retreated southward to Kalba, where he had established a fortress along the shore.
Portuguese troops, commanded by Captain Gaspar Lite Perriera, advanced on Kalba and engaged in combat around Kaid’s fortress. Under the orders of Commander Rui Freire in March 1624, Gaspar Lite seized the stronghold. Another account of the Portuguese occupation states: “This fortress was seized from the Muslims by Captain-General Rui Freire. It was ruled by the Qasimi, a highly notable Muslim.”
Sheikh Kaid Rahma bin Hamoud Adwan withdrew from Kalba and moved to Aydhan, laying the foundations for Qawasim rule along the Omani coast.
In 1625, substantial reinforcements arrived for Rui Freire de Andrade from Goa to Khorfakkan, where he had been stationed. Rui Freire was the same commander who had arrived from Portugal in 1619 to lead the fleet against the English, suffering a defeat in 1622.
Rui Freire subsequently launched military operations along the Persian coast, focusing on Khor Ibrahim between Hormuz and Jask, as well as Bandar Kong. During the siege of Hormuz by a large Portuguese contingent, a naval force comprising four Dutch and four English ships appeared unexpectedly. Accounts of the ensuing battle vary: both sides endured significant losses, the Dutch squadron leader was killed, and each faction claimed victory. In practice, however, the Portuguese suffered defeat, retreating first to Khorfakkan with numerous dead and wounded before proceeding to Muscat to tend to their injured.
In early June 1623, the people of Rustaq, together with the religious leaders, resolved to appoint an Imam to lead them in the enforcement of justice and the prevention of wrongdoing. They selected Nasser bin Murshid bin Malik Al-Ya‘arubi as Imam of Oman.
From 10 June to early July 1623, the forces of Imam Nasser bin Murshid conducted military campaigns across most of the Omani provinces, bringing them under his authority—except for the towns of Samail and Sohar. Portuguese accounts describe the Imam’s forces as spreading fear throughout Oman.
The Omani forces maintained a siege of Muscat, compelling the Portuguese Commander-in-Chief, Rui Freire, to propose peace negotiations between the Portuguese and the Omanis. The Omanis stipulated conditions for peace, the foremost of which was the demolition of certain towers constructed by the Portuguese.
Commander Rui Freire acceded to the demand and ordered the destruction of the towers, after which the Omani forces withdrew from the vicinity of Muscat.
Following the threats issued by the Ya‘ariba against Portuguese positions in Muscat, Commander Rui Freire took measures to reorganize Portuguese affairs, strengthen relations within the Sea of Oman, and administer the region from Muscat.
A Great Land
In 776 AH (1374 CE), Al Qawasim were led by Prince Idris bin Qa’id bin Rahmah Al-Qasimi, who established the Qawasim in Al-Rumayhiyyah for seventy-nine years—a period that largely coincided with the Jalayirid dominion over Iraq. This era commenced with Sultan Mu‘izz al-Din Owais, who succeeded his father Hasan bin Husayn, the grandson of Hulagu.
Sultan Husayn bin Owais’s reign was brief, as he was killed by his brother Ahmad bin Owais. Ahmad’s rule was marked by considerable turmoil, particularly following Tamerlane’s incursion into Baghdad, which plunged the region into prolonged warfare.
During this turbulent period, Idris (Sharaf) bin Zayd bin Qa’id bin Rahmah Al-Qasimi was succeeded by his son Qa’id Rahmah, who became the leader of the Qawasim in Al-Rumayhiyyah. At the time, Al-Rumayhiyyah was a city of notable prominence, rivaling Baghdad in significance during its peak. The city contained seventy public baths, and its ruins today attest to its former grandeur.
Jalayirid rule in Iraq ended in 836 AH (1432 CE), when Mirza Jahan Shah (Aspān) bin Qara Yusuf of the nomadic Turkmen Mongols seized control, ruling on behalf of his brother, Prince Pir Budaq, who resided in Shiraz, Persia.
Meanwhile, Al-Mawla Muhammad al-Musha‘sha‘ engaged in sorcery and occult practices, attracting followers among the uneducated of his people. In 844 AH (1440 CE), he captured Wasit, executing Mongol princes—including forty emirs and a prince’s son—decimating their forces and dispersing their ranks.
In 853 AH (1449 CE), Prince Pir Budaq appointed Qa’id Rahmah bin Idris (Sharaf) Al-Qasimi as ruler of Wasit on behalf of the Turkmen, stationing Mongol troops alongside him. This arrangement prompted the Dhafir tribe to break its alliance with the Qawasim, who subsequently relocated to Nafi‘ in Upper Najd before settling in Al-Dhulaifa near Buraidah in Al-Qassim.
At the outset of 857 AH (1453 CE), Al-Mawla ‘Ali al-Musha‘sha‘ returned to Basra following Prince Aspān’s departure to Baghdad. The preceding year, Prince Pir Budaq had traveled to Persia due to unrest among Shahrukh bin Timur’s sons. With Baghdad left inadequately defended, Al-Mawla ‘Ali attacked Al-Rumayhiyyah, capturing the city. The Qawasim subsequently relocated to the plateau south of Al-Shinafiyyah on the pilgrimage route, approximately sixty kilometers from Al-Rumayhiyyah—a desert area characterized by elevated land and deep wells.
In 857 AH (1454 CE), Al-Mawla ‘Ali besieged and captured Wasit. Its inhabitants, along with Emir Qa’id Rahmah, evacuated to Basra, the seat of the Turkmen state. Al-Mawla ‘Ali pursued them to Basra, which he seized. Turkmen officials fled via the Shatt al-Arab, taking Emir Qa’id Rahmah and his companions to Rey Shahr on the Gulf, en route to Shiraz.
This sequence of events demonstrates that the Qara Qoyunlu exercised temporary control over Iraq, administering Baghdad through governors from the royal family who operated with near autonomy, largely independent of central authority. Such independence persisted particularly during the reigns of Muhammad Shah, Mirza Jahan Shah (Aspān), and Prince Pir Budaq, until 14 Rabi‘ al-Awwal 850 AH (3 December 1446 CE).
Subsequently, administrative authority remained with the princes until the extinction of the Qara Qoyunlu dynasty on 14 Rabi‘ al-Akhir 874 AH (16 December 1470 CE). Following their demise, power transferred to the Aq Qoyunlu, also known as the Bayandurids.
Throughout this period, Iraq experienced persistent instability under the lingering influence of the Jalayirids and the Qara Qoyunlu, alongside ongoing opposition from tribes and factions such as the Musha‘sha‘ family. These conflicts persisted until the ascendance of the Aq Qoyunlu, whose authority ultimately consolidated control over Baghdad.
Source: Al-Khaleej Newspaper – Cultural Edition