the history of katar from 1507 to 1913 I paid a visit to the national museum of katar and used my phone to photograph all of the information panels from 1507 to 1913 what follows is all 40 of those information panels so that when you visit the museum you will be primed and ready to enjoy the experience even more starting with 1507 the beginning of Portuguese control of the gulf following their successful navigation of the Cape of Good Hope the Portuguese gradually took control of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf they captured commercial centers including hermuz a wealthy Kingdom that controlled shipping from the entrance of the gulf to Basra and was a major port for Ships coming from China and India the Portuguese later seized Bahrain alassa and katif they imposed heavy taxes on the Pearl trade and confiscated or burnt tax-free ships to maintain their Monopoly over the region 1546 beginning of Portuguese and ottoman conflict in the Gulf the Ottomans wanted to take control of the gulf from the Portuguese they took the port of Basra from the safavids a dynasty based on the northern coast of the gulf and established a huge naval fleet against the Portuguese at the time the Portuguese monopolized trade routes from Asia to Europe the ottoman Fleet managed to extend ottoman control to alassa and the Qatar Peninsula and limited Portuguese expansion in the Gulf 1600 British East India company established the Portuguese and Spanish controlled trade between Asia and Europe for many decades in 1588 the British destroyed the Spanish Fleet and emerged as a Global Naval power they wanted to take control of trade in the Indian Ocean region so in 1600 Queen Elizabeth I of England granted a royal Charter to a group of London Merchants to establish the British East India Company the company had a monopoly on British trade in Asia and the Pacific it would grow from a trading company to a commercial political and military power that represented British interest across the region 1622 British safavid Alliance takes control of humas the British East India Company wanted to take control of the profitable Persian silk trade from the Portuguese in 1622 the British allied with the safavid Empire based on the northern coast of the gulf against the Portuguese together They seized hermas and expelled the Portuguese from the city the portug Portuguese retreated to muskat and formed an alliance with the Ottomans they fought back against the safavids and took control of the Pearl trade through jalar muskat bazra and the Qatar Peninsula 1627 to 1628 Portuguese forces attack Qatari Coast the Portuguese Fleet raided the katar Coast multiple times between 1627 and 1628 they forced the qataris to sell their pearls through ctif which was controlled by their ottoman allies rather than through safavid controlled Bahrain historians believe the main targets of the attacks were albida Hua and Alor following the attacks people fled North and established new settlements at Alafia FIA and Al zubara 1650 to 1670 Portuguese and Ottomans abandoned the Arabian Gulf the late 1600s saw a gradual increase in the power of Gulf Arabs in the mid 1600s the yaruba of Oman liberated muskat and expelled the Portuguese regaining control of Portuguese centers around the region the caled took back control of alassa from the Ottomans but managed to maintain a good relationship with them the coaled established Alliance with local shakes from bazra to Qatar huia in Qatar sent its annual tribute to alassa 1775 to 1780 bazra destroyed Al zubara flourishes Basra was once the Hub of the pearling industry in the Arabian Gulf however it was besieged by the Persians in 1775 and then struck by a plague many important Merchant families moved to Al zubara in Northwestern Qatar including al- risk who played a key role in alara's development at the same time tribes moved to Qatar from the interior of the Arabian Peninsula including Al utab Al jalima and Albin Ali by 1780 Al zubara was one of the most important and prosperous cities in the Gulf thanks to the trade in Arabian horses and Pearls due to its success it became a target for attacks 1783 Battle of nazor and conquest of Bin Al zubara Prosperity affected trade in Bahrain which led to a dispute Nasser Al mathar who controlled bin on behalf of the safavid Empire launched an attack on Al zubara the siege of of the Town became known as the Battle of nasur taken from the name NASA the people of Qatar together with the alifa the rulers of the Town broke the siege and fought back they then took control of bin on the 28th of July 1783 1783 rahma bin jabber moves to K Hassan rahma bin Jabba lived in Al zubara he supported his cousins Al Khalif in the conquest of burain and lost an eye in the battle Al Khalifa did not give him his share of the spoils from the battle and a dispute arose between them rahma left Al zubara and moved to K Hassan in Northern Qatar there he established a base and continued his fight against al Khalifa 1797 first Saudi State seizes Al zubara Al zubara Prosperity strategic location and Rich resources attracted the attention of the first Saudi state which launched several attacks against Qatar between 1791 and 1796 They seized Al zubara in 1797 and many qataris were forced to flee to neighboring areas by 1802 the first Saudi state had taken control of the entire alassa region Qatar and Bin 1809 rahma bin jabber moves to Dam rahma bin jaaba allied with the Imam of the first Saudi state after they took Al zubara rahma was appointed as ruler of dam in today's Eastern province of Saudi Arabia he moved to the city and built a fort there 1811 albara destroyed the first Saudi States control over Al zubara led many Merchants to move away and so the city's commercial significance declined in 1811 the forces of the Imam of muskat attacked and destroyed Al zubara as part of an ongoing war between muskat and the first Saudi State the forces of the first Saudi State withdrew from Al zubara to face the troops of Muhammad Ali Pasha an ottoman commander in in Western Saudi Arabia 1818 first Saudi State Falls the rise of the first Saudi State threatened ottoman sovereignty in the Arabian Peninsula the ottoman Sultan instructed his W governor in Egypt Muhammad Ali Pasha to campaign against them Muhammad Ali pasha's attacks between 1812 and 1818 weakened the first Saudi state destroying its capital at alderia and forcing it to give up control over Al Asha and the gulf the fall of the first Saudi State enabled Al Khalifa to Take Back Control of Bahrain Qatar and katif 1820 British influence in the Gulf grows in 1820 the British Monopoly on trade in the Arabian Gulf shifted from economic influence to political control the British made a group of Arab leaders sign the general Maritime treaty it aimed to achieve Maritime peace to protect British interests from local conflicts with little concern for Inland peace although the shakes of Qatar refused to sign it the British believed that Qatar was controlled by bin who had agreed to the treaty 1821 ala became becomes the largest town in Qatar after the destruction of Al zubara albida became the largest and most important town in Qatar however in 1821 the town was bombarded by the British ship vestel as punishment for a perceived breach of the general Maritime treaty despite the fact katar had not agreed to it 1823 British complet survey of qatar's Coast British naval officers completed the first survey of qatar's coast in 1823 the survey provided the first detailed information about Qatari coastal towns features and water depths to Aid navigation in the same year Captain John mlod became the first British political resident in the Gulf to visit ala 1826 rahma bin Jabba dies in battle the British were Keen to maintain the maritime peace they made rahma bin Jabba sign a peace agreement with the ruler of Bahrain in 1824 the agreement aimed to stabilize the region bar rahma continued to attack bini ships this led to a naval battle in 1826 near the coast of dam during which rahama was killed his life and death became legendary and today the people of the gulf still tell stories of his exploits 1835 Siege of Hua Isa bin tariff leaves katar after the death of rahma Bin jabber another prominent figure in Qatari history emerged Isa bin tariff the leader of Albin Ali tribe tried to govern Hua independently after gaining the support of the second Saudi state State and om man however the ruler of Bahrain besieged Hua Issa asked the imman of muskat to break The Siege at Hua in return for issa's support of muskat Siege of mumbasa 1843 Isa bin tariff becomes ruler of Doha Issa bin tariff returned to Qatar and became ruler of Doha the neighboring town to Alida Doha was an important pearling Hub and he built walls and Towers to protect the town from Attack by bin rulers 1847 Battle of um sua the first destruction of Doha Isa bin Tarif ultimately lost his life trying to achieve independence for Doha despite the support of some qari tribes he was killed at the Battle of umu against bini forces the battle is also known as the first destruction of Doha because the people of Doha were forced to leave their homes after the death of Isa Al Khalifa began collecting the tribute of Qatar 1848 shik Muhammad bin Tani moves to Doha Muhammad bin Tani and his allies moved from fuerat to Doha because of its importance in the pearling trade and because the former ruler of Doha Isa bin tariff had been killed at the Battle of um the previous year shik Muhammad binani lived near the souk of Doha which was the main Center for buying and selling pearls 1851 Battle of mamir the second Saudi State led by Iman fisel bin turkey invaded the Qatar Peninsula Saudi and Qatar forces skirmished at mesir and a Horseman from Doha was killed Shake Jim killed the attacker and his horse with a single spear this marked the start of shik Jim's rise to prominence the Karis led by shik Muhammad then allied with fisel bin turkey against bin whose rulers were collecting tribute for fisel bin turkey but not sending it to him the alliance provoked Bin's rulers who joined with Abu Dhabi to besiege Qatar however they feared the growing Qatari Saudi Alliance and backed down paying tribute to fisel bin turkey and allowing shik Muhammad to collect qatar's tribute 1867 Al wakra incidents tensions between Qatar and the rulers of Bahrain continued for many years as bin continued to try and control katar in 1867 the people of wakra supported by shik jasim bin Muhammad bin Tani attacked the Deputy Governor of Bahrain and forced him out of Al wakra 1867 shik Jim bin Muhammad bin Tani captured the ruler of Bahrain sent an invitation to shik jasim bin Muhammad bin Tani urging him to continue his yearly visits to Bahrain despite the ongoing conflict when shik jasim went to Bahrain he was captured and imprisoned this incident was documented in poetry written by shik jasim 1867 the second destruction of Doha after bin captured shik jasim bin Muhammad bin Tani they wanted to demonstrate their strength in Qatar the ruler of Bin supported by the ruler of Abu Dhabi destroyed Doha and al-wakra in 1867 1867 Battle of damsa all the Qatari tribes rallied in a campaign to liberate shik jasim bin Muhammad bin Tani a bloody battle took place against the beri forces the qaris were defeated and many were killed 1868 Battle of jabel wakra following their defeat at the Battle of damsa the qataris withdrew the bines pursued them to Al wakra here the qataris made a stand surrounding the bini forces and camp capturing two leaders after the battle both sides agreed to an exchange of prisoners and Shake jassim bin Muhammad bin Tani returned to Doha despite the cruelty of these events they brought the people of katar together and paved the way for shik jasim bin Muhammad bin Tan's future leadership 1868 agreement of 12 September the ongoing conflict between Qatar and Bin angered British authorities in the Gulf in 1868 the British punished the ruler of bin for destabilizing the region and find bin and Qatar on 12th September of the same year shik muhamad bin tan signed an agreement with the British political resident in the presence of several Qatari shakes this agreement was the first official interaction between shik Muhammad binani the shik of Qatar and the brsh authorities 1871 ottoman forces enter Qatar shik Muhammad bin Tani and his son shik jasim bin Muhammad binani called on the Ottomans to help defend Qatar against the political changes resulting from the decline of the second Saudi State around 1,000 ottoman soldiers were then sent to Qatar later the same year most of the troops departed leaving a small Garrison of around 30 soldiers as a symbol of Ottoman sovereignty in Qatar 1872 shik Jim bin Muhammad binani appointed K mcam shikh Jim bin Muhammad binani was appointed as an honory ottoman C macam District administrator as part of an attempt to organize the ottoman Administration in the region this title allowed shake jasim to continue his usual respons responsibilities during the reign of his father including collecting tributes in 1876 he was officially appointed as C mam 1878 death of shikh Muhammad bin Tani shikh Muhammad bin Tani passed away in Doha he was succeeded by his son qatar's founder shik jasim bin Muhammad bin Tani 1878 Al udade dispute in 1878 a dispute arose between the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the people living in alade southern katar the tribe refused to pay taxes to their Shake as they considered themselves subjects of the Ottoman government in Qatar not subjects of Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi shik attacked and captured alud and its people fled to Doha the British authorities did not support the qataris as they did not want ottoman control control to extend to Al udid 1880 to 1886 dispute between Qatar and abudabi develops although shik zad's forces withdrew from alud tensions continued some qari tribes attacked Abu Dhabi in response to the destruction of alud the British supported Abu Dhabi but the Ottomans were reluctant to assist the qataris as a result Shake jassi made an agreement with Shak Zed in 1882 to protect the Qatari people there was an uneasy peace for a few years before the dispute resurfaced between 1885 and 1886 1887 shik Jim bin Muhammad bin Tani resigns as C mam shik Jim bin Muhammad bin Tani resigned as C mam in opposition to ottoman reforms including taxes on the qataris he was also most motivated by the ottoman Empire's failure to assist him in the case of alade or against the British government who had interfered in Shake Jim's decision to close the shops of British Indian traders who did not comply with qatar's customs and laws however his resignation was rejected 1888 Al zubara rebuilt the ottoman authorities were eager to please shik Jim bin Muhammad bin t to ensure his Allegiance they awarded him the title kapui Bashi to recognize his efforts in supporting the Ottoman Empire and supported his idea of rebuilding Al zubara 1888 abudhabi attacks Qatar shik Joan killed the dispute between Qatar and Abu Dhabi over Al udid continued in May Abu Dhabi attacked albida Shake jasim bin Muhammad bin Tan's son Ali bin jasim known as Joan was killed along with several other qataris while attempting to defend Alida 1889 Battle of canu Jake Jim bin Muhammad bin Tani raided Abu Dhabi attacking Lea and caner to avenge the death of his son and the other Qatari fighters in response the leader of Abu Dhabi campaigned extensively against Qatar with the support of neighboring shakes however shik Jim had secured Doha with fortifications and Towers which prevented shik Zed from besieging the city 1893 Battle of wajba in October 1889 the Ottoman Empire decided to remove shik jasim bin Muhammad bin Tani as C macam after his opposition to ottoman reforms and taxes in February 1893 the ottoman governor of bazra arrived at albida with his forces shik Jim sent his brother shik Ahmed and other envoys to negotiate the governor of bazra captured the envoys and advanced to Al wajba in pursuit of shik Jim shik Jim's forces were victorious after the battle the ottoman Sultan blamed the governor of bazra for the dispute and removed him from his position shik jasim and the Ottomans reconciled 1895 British ships bombard Al zubara on 7 September 1895 British ships bombarded Al zubara to prevent it from falling under ottoman control the attack came after shik Jim bin Muhammad bin Tani allowed one of his tribes to live there and plans had begun to rebuild the city the attack proved to shik Jim that the Ottomans could no longer protect the Qatari people he retired to Al Dean passing responsibility for handling the ottoman officials to his brother shikh Ahmed bin Muhammad and his son shikh Abdullah Bin jasim Alani 1913 Anglo ottoman convention and death of shikh Jim bin Muhammad bin Tani by 1913 ottoman power had weakened and the British and ottoman governments signed an agreement for the Ottomans to withdraw from Qatar and abandon their claims to sovereignty the agreement also defined the borders between Qatar and naged province in the same year shik Jim bin Muhammad bin Tani passed away and was succeeded by his son shik Abdullah Bin Jim Alani