|
| Kuwait History |
 |
ANCIENT HISTORY
Around 300 BC, the Ancient Greeks under Alexander the Great, colonised what is now Failaka Island. However, the Greeks named it 'Ikarus' supposedly because it resembled the Greek island where the mythical Ikarus was supposed to have been buried. However, it's also the thought the island might have got its name due to the extreme heat and the belief that it was close to the sun. Archaeological excavations continue to this day, unearthing ancient artefacts that reveal the secrets of Failaka (and Kuwait's) past. In fact, discoveries have shown that as far back as the Dilmun era (in the bronze age c.3000 BC) Failaka was inhabited and developing a unique culture and sun-worshipping religion. |
The Founding of Kuwait The actual 'founding' of Kuwait is still subject to controversy and conjecture. It's likely that nomadic tribespeople were already in the area prior to the late seventeenth centruy when various clans of the Anaiza tribe migrated from Nejd (in what is now central Saudi Arabia) to the coast of the Persian Gulf. During these migrations - necessitated by drought in the central areas - different tribal goups came together to form a new tribe, known collectively as the Bani Utub. Each brought different skills and knowledge, and it is from this tribe that Kuwait's Emirs, the Al Sabah's are descended from. C.1710, when they arrived in Kuwait, after years of wondering from place to place (including the west coast of Qatar) they found a small settlement built by the Bani Kahid tribe (also from Nejd in central Arabia). It's possible that the Bani Kahlid had already built a fortress from which the name Kuwait, a diminutive of kut or fortress, derives.
The Early Days
Because the region was dominated by the Bani Khalid and because other regional powers were too busy with their own internal problems, the Bani Utub were free to develop new maritime skills - skills would prove vital to their existence and which are still in evidence today. The Bani Khalid may have had control over the harbors but they were primarily a desert-orientated people and didn't do much trading by sea. Blessed by Kuwait's natural harbours and a location right in the middle of the caravan routes to Aleppo, Baghdad and the Shatt al Arab river, the Bani Utub were able to develop various trading networks. They traded horses, wood, spices, coffee, dates, spices and especially pearls.
As trading became the main basis of the economy, and society became more settled, new political arrangements were put in place to reflect this. Although the merchants became the elite, the Al Sabah family were the rulers.
THE AL SABAH'S
After the colony became established, Sabah bin Jaber al Sabah became leader in 1756, ruling until his death in 1762. The circumstances leading to Sheikh Sabah's rise to power remain unclear,and there are several theories surrounding his pre-eminence. One tradition has it that the Sabah's rose to political power as part of an agreement drawn up in 1716 by the leading tribal families - Al Khalifa, Al Sabah and Al Jalahima - in which they divided up the different areas of power between themselves. The Sabahs were given pre-eminence in government and political affairs (subject to consultation), the Khalifas were given control of local commerce and the Jalahimas took control of maritime affairs. However, another account has it that after reaching Kuwait, the Bani Utub chose Sabah to go to Basra to represent them and explain their peaceful intentions to the Ottomans which he did successfully. It's likely that his diplomatic skill was such that he proved his capabilities as the the best leader for the tribes.
It's also thought that the source and origin of Sabah power may have come about because of their role in over-land caravan networks. They developed close ties with the desert and as a result became tax collectors there - an important source of revenue. Importance is also placed on their role as administrators, especially in harbours and ports, which would have provided them with another source of influence and power separate from the desert. It's probable that a combination of these sources all contributed to the success of the Sabahs. Sabah I must certainly have been an astute, skilled politician and a man capable of engendering great respect and loyalty amongst his people in order to become their leader. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Sabahs that their family has ruled Kuwait without interruption to this day.
However, their dominant position did not happen overnight. When Sabah I died in 1762, he was succeeded by his youngest son, Abdullah I bin Sabah. A few years later, in 1766, the Khalifas and the Jalahimas left Kuwait for Zubara in Qatar. The Al Khalifa family continue to rule Qatar. These two families were the only real major contenders for power, so once they had left, the Sabahs were the undisputed rulers. By the end of Abdullah I's long reign (1762-1812), the political hierarchy in Kuwait was firmly established. Merchants deferred to direct orders from the Sabahs and by the 19th century the Sabahs were in a strong enough position to name their sons as successors without dispute. |
THE OTTOMAN THREAT
Although Kuwait was nominally governed by the Ottomans, from Basra, in reality, the Kuwaitis were able, for many years, to maintain their autonomity. Their tribal and trading networks with the other emirates of the Arabian peninsula were far stronger than their ties to the Ottoman Empire. However, by 1870, the Ottomans were re-asserting themselves in the region. By 1881, they were facing bankruptcy and attempted to solve the situation by raising income from Kuwait and other neighbouring countries. Midhat Pasha, the governor of Iraq, later demanded that Kuwait submit to Ottoman rule, but the Al Sabah's found diplomatic allies in the British. In 1896, Sheikh Mohammed Al Sabah was assassinated by his half brother, Mubarak (The Great) Al Sabah and a year later, Mubarak was recognised by the Ottomans as the provincial sub-governor of Kuwait. In 1899, Mubarak signed an agreement with the British which pledged that Kuwait would never ceded any territory nor recieve agents or representatives of foreign powers without the British Government's consent. In return, the British would protect Kuwait from Ottoman agression and would give an annual subsidy of £1,500 to the ruling family. Thus, Kuwait became a British Protectionate In 1915, Mubarak the Great died and was succeeded by his son Jaber II Al Sabah who ruled for just over a year until his death in early 1917. His brother, Sheikh Salim Al Mubarak Al Sabah succeeded him.
|
 |
|
|  |
|
|
|
SIGN ME UP NOW!
Mailing List and Offers!
We never sell or give out your information!
Advertise with us! We are offering amazing special introductory rates for a very limited period of time only! Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of Kuwait Living! Even better, become a sponsor and get even more benefits!
Click HERE for our very special advertising rates!
Become a member of Kuwait Living Online for only 1KD per year, get 3 FREE CLASSIFIED ADVERSTISEMENTS, and become eligible for all kinds of cool stuff!!! Kuwait Living Online members will get our newsletter with special discounts and annoucements and also will be eligible to play our games for prizes and more!
Click HERE for more information!
|
