Ras Al Khaimah and the Qawasim |
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RAS AL KHAIMAH BEGINNINGS AND LEGENDS
The beginnings of Ras Al Khaimah are unknown as no written records were kept at that time. The name Ras Al Khaimah was recorded for the first time in the 15th century by Ahmed bin Majid, a Julfar navigator and poet. However, he probably used this name as a geographical reference. The archaeological research also confirmed that in that period, there might have been a small community occupying the area of the present town, but no major township was created until the early 18th century.
Ras Al Khaimah translates to English as the ‘headland’ or ‘point of the tent’. Although, most likely Ras Al Khaimah took its name from the north-pointing promontory on which it is situated, a wonderful legend exists about the origin of the town. It tells about an eminent leader, Sheikh Qasimi, who chose this area as a home for himself and his tribe. He built a tent that was clearly visible from the sea, thus, it became an easily recognized landmark for all passing sailors, who eventually called this area Ras Al Khaimah.
In the past, Ras Al Khaimah was also known under another name, namely Al Sirr, which might have come from the old Portuguese word for mountain or dynasty and probably referred to the Qawasim tribe.
THE QAWASIM TRIBE
The history of Ras Al Khaimah is inseparably connected with the history of the Qawasim, who not only created the town but also made it one of the most successful ports along the 18th and 19th century lower Gulf coast. The Qawasim are the members of a tribe that originally belonged to the Huwala group. The Huwala clan, consisting mainly of Sunni Arabs, had inhabited the northern shores of the Persian Gulf in Iran. Although the origin of their migration from the Arabic Peninsula to Iran is not clear, it must have happened many centuries ago. Probably they migrated in search of a better life and with a goal of spreading the teachings of the Qur’an. A re-immigration of the Qawasim to the Peninsula is also shaded in mystery, but it must have started around 16th century, when a Sheikh Qasimi chose Ras Al Khaimah as his base on the lower Gulf coast.
By the 17th century, the Qawasim family was a well-established tribe in the Gulf and was recorded for the first time in 1648, in the Portuguese sources. The Qawasim sheikhs, however, were not mentioned until the middle of the eighteenth century and then they were recognized as a significant force in the region. The first documented sheikh of the Qawasim was Rashid bin Mattar bin Rahmed bin Qadhib bin Kaid Al Qasimi, who ruled for around thirty years until 1777. Next, the leadership over the Qawasim territory was ceded to his son Saqr bin Rashid Al Qasimi.
18th CENTURY RAS AL KHAIMAH
In the 18th century, the strength and significance of the Qawasim was unquestionable. The Qawasim developed Ras Al Khaimah as their capital, having also a major stronghold in Sharjah. At the same time, they continued to successfully expand their power over other neighbouring tribes. They ruled much of what is now known as the Northern Emirates, the coastal and mountainous areas north of Khor Kalba and several ports in southern Iran, with Lingah port at the centre. The tribe also held control over several offshore islands including Qishm, Abu Musa, Lesser and Greater Tunb.
Interestingly, the Qawasim did not impose their authority on the local tribes by force but rather offered an opportunity to join a successful marine enterprise such as one of Qawasim’s. Indeed, the Qawasim were a major maritime power on the Persian Gulf waters and they were engaged in extensive and profitable trade on both the Arabian and Persian coasts of the Gulf. The people of Ras Al Khaimah controlled fisheries, held influence over the profitable pearling industry and were engaged in agricultural activities.
By the end of the 18th century, the sheikhs of Ras Al Khaimah had developed a strong fleet and extensive fortifications needed to protect its position in the region. They had more than 60 large and 810 smaller boats and manpower estimated up to 25,000 men. The defences of the town consisted of watchtowers partially linked by 3m high walls and a number of forts. Elsewhere in the vicinity of the town, along the coast and in the interior, additional watchtowers were constructed.
THE PIRATE COAST AND CONFLICT WITH THE BRITISH
The expansion of the Qawasim power aroused some fears of the Omani rulers, who themselves aspired to dominate the region. The sultans of Muscat repeatedly contested the Qawasim control over the Musandam promontory and other areas. The Qawasim had also fractions with a federation of tribes called Bani Yas, led by the Al Nahyan family with headquarters in Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra. However, the strength of the Qawasim was yet to be tested by its strongest opponent, the British, who additionally became the allies of Omanis. The substantial conflict with the British started in 1797, when some Qawasim dhows attacked a British ship, the Viper. A year later, the British signed an agreement of cooperation with the Al Busaids of Oman, the main rival of the Qawasim, making Britain partly enemy to Ras Al Khaimah. Although, the waters of the Gulf were never truly stable and attacks on the passing ships had occurred before, it was a period when the Qawasim and the British came into a direct conflict for the first time. The British, whose trade was disturbed and power threatened, gave a new name for this part of the coast, calling it the Pirate Coast.
In 1803, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr succeeded his father Sheik Saqr bin Rashid. Shortly after, in 1804, his ruling was tested when members of the Qawasim tribe attacked two more British ships. He managed to reach an agreement of peace with the British, but it lasted only for a short period. After the kidnapping of other British ships in 1809, the British launched a military campaign against the Qawasim, which resulted in the destruction of the Ras Al Khaimah’s fleet.
During the second decade of the 19th century, the situation on the Gulf waters did not improve and trading was imperilled by attacks on merchant boats. The tension between the British and Qawasim that had arisen over the years finally led to a fierce battle in 1819. The British navy bombarded Ras Al Khaimah and completely burned down the town. Ras Al Khaimah had expected the attack but did not know which port of the Qawasim would be the main target of the British. The Qawasim decided to spread their extensive fleet over the entire domain, thus, they did not have enough reinforcement in Ras Al Khaimah itself to oppose the invading forces. After the five-day attack on Ras Al Khaimah, the British (now supported by Omanis) moved up to Rams. The last battle took place at the Dhayah Fort, after which the Qawasim surrendered. By 1820, the whole Qasimi fleet was shattered and the British occupied major ports of the Qawasim along the southern and northern coast of the Persian Gulf. In the same year, a General Treaty of Peace was signed between the British and other major sheikhdoms of the area.
RAS AL KHAIMAH AFTER 1820
In 1823, the British recognized Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr as the ruler of all the Qawasim territories. He did not reside permanently in either Ras Al Khaimah or Sharjah but he moved around the area and to his domains he delegated administrators, mainly brothers and sons, so called walis. Ras Al Khaimah needed some time to recover and rebuilt its structures. In that period, Sharjah managed to become a new centre of economic and political activities of the Qawasim tribe. The British also established a garrison and placed their representatives in Sharjah.
After the death of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr in 1866, his sons, who had to face the independence movements started in different parts of the Qawasim territory, governed his domains. In 1869 the appointed governor to Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Humaid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, also built up his authority and ruled Ras Al Khaimah as a separate state. After his death in 1900, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah were combined again, this time under the rule of Sheikh Saqr bin Khalid Al Qasimi who again appointed walis to Ras Al Khaimah.
In 1908, the people of Ras Al Khaimah were allowed to choose their leader and Sheikh Salim bin Saqr Al Qasimi was elected. He was in charge until his death in 1919. Under his rule, Ras Al Khaimah moved once again away from the Sharjah sphere of influence and became genuinely independent. When Sheikh Salim got ill in 1917, his son Sheikh Mohammed bin Salim Al Qasimi (the grand-father of the present ruler Sheikh Saud) acted as a deputy ruler. However, Sheikh Mohammed, interested more in business affairs, voluntarily gave his power away to his brother Sheikh Sultan bin Salim Al Qasimi. In 1919, when Sheikh Salim passed away, Sheikh Sultan became the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Shortly after, in 1921, the British recognized him as the ruler of independent Ras Al Khaimah. That act finally separated the sheikhdom from Sharjah.
THE TRUCIAL STATES
In the 19th century, many changes were witnessed in the Gulf region. The political ties with Britain were strengthened through a number of treaties signed after 1820. These also influenced the relationships of the local sheikhdoms, which slowly moved in the direction of unification. After the General Treaty of Peace of 1820, the British and the ruling sheiks signed a Maritime Truce in 1835, followed by a Perpetual Treaty of Maritime Peace in 1853. The aim of these treaties was to stop the tribal rivalry and to maintain the stability in trade in the Gulf region. Conditions of these treaties were accepted by the sheiks of Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Bahrain and Qatar. From that time, all these emirates became to be known as the Trucial States. The British, that supervised these agreements, took responsibility for arbitrating any disputes in the area. Additionally, in 1892 the British entered into separate Exclusive Treaties with Ras Al Khaimah and all the other emirates. These treaties obliged the local tribes not to become politically involved with a foreign government other than the British one. At the same time, the local rulers were re-assured that they would remain in charge of the internal affairs.
During the second part of the 19th century, Ras Al Khaimah rebuilt its dwellings and managed to regain its position as the town of merchants, fishermen and pearl divers; although the glory of the sheikhdom had declined. By that time, Dubai emerged as the new commercial power in the area. Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum of Dubai abolished taxes on imports, offered free land to the merchants, and promised safe and stable business opportunities. Around the same time, Abu Dhabi started to play a crucial role as a political leader. |
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