History of Bahrain

Pearl of the Gulf

The islands of Bahrain, positioned in the middle south of the Gulf, have attracted the attention of many invaders in history. Bahrain, meaning "Two Seas" refers to the fact that the islands contain the two sources of water, sweet water springs and salty water in the surrounding seas.

A strategic position between East and West, fertile lands, fresh water, and pearls diving made Bahrain a centre of urban (ie non-nomadic) settlement throughout history. Some 2300 years BC, Bahrain became a centre of one of the ancient empires trading Mesopotamia (now Iraq) and the Indus Valley (now the region near India and Pakistan). This was the civilization of Delmon that was linked to the Sumerian Civilization in the third millennium BC. Bahrain also became part of the Babylon empire about 600 BC. Historical records referred to Bahrain the "Life of Eternity", "Paradise", etc. Bahrain was also called the "Pearl of the Gulf".

People in Bahrain in the old time, their first factory was fishing and trading pearls

The indigenous population is called Baharnah. They are (mainly) descendants of the Arab tribe Abdul-Qais of "Rabe'a". Nowadays Bahrain is a cosmopolitan society with mixed communities. The Financial Times of 31 may 1983 says in its survey on Bahrain page III "Bahrain is a polyglot state, both religiously and racially. Leaving aside the temporary immigrants of the past 10 years, there are at least eight or nine communities on the island".

The present communities may be classified as Al-Khalifa, Arab tribes allied to Al-Khalifa (ruling family), the Baharanah (Arabs from the mainland), the Howalla (Arabs from Persia), some African descendants, Ajam (Persian Muslims), Indians who traded with Bahrain and settled before the age of oil (used to be called Banyan), a tiny Jewish community, and a miscellaneous grouping.

Many of the Jews work in the gold market. One of them (Ezra Nono) owns the cinema-films distribution company. The Jews have a cemetery and a synagogue in Bahrain and are considered to be very affluent and close to the ruling family.

Dilmun

Though Dilmun enjoyed considerable power and influence, at one time Dilmun controlled a large part of the western Gulf shore (what is now eastern Saudi Arabia). It is not precise over how far north and inland its influence was felt. At various times in its history, Dilmun probably extended as far north as Kuwait and as far inland as the oasis of AI Hasa in modern SaudiArabia. Dilmun has been mentioned as a vassal of Assyria in the 8th century BC and by about 600BC it was fully incorporated into the Babylonian Empire. Nearchus, a Greek general in the army of Alexander the Great is known to have explored the Gulf at least as far south as Bahrain. From the time of Nearchus until the coming of Islam in the 7thcentury AD, Bahrain was known by its Greek name of Taylos and Arados.

Taylos

Historical highlights:

In the first century AD, Bahrain was referred to by the Greeks as "Taylos", the centre of pearls trading. Muharraq (the second largest island) was referred to as "Arados" (now there is city called "Arad" in Muharraq island). In the 4th century AD, Bahrain was annexed to the Sassanian Empire (now Persia). Christianity left its traces in Muharraq, and Christian names, like the village of Dair (ie parish), Samahij (used to be the name of a bishop) remain until today.

Arad Fort (Click here for more photos!)

During the emergence of Islam in the sixth century (until early in the sixteenth century) Bahrain included a wider region stretching on the Gulf coast from Basrah to the Strait of Hormuz. This was "Iqleem Al-Bahrain", ie Province of Bahrain, and the Arab inhabitants of the province were all called Baharnah, decendants of the Arab tribe Bani Abd al-Qais. The then Bahrain comprised three regions: Hajar (nowadays Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia), Al-Khatt (nowadays Al-Qatif in Saudi Arabia) and Awal (nowadays Bahrain). The name Awal remained in use, probably, for eight centuries. Awal was derived from the name of an idol that used to be worshipped (before Islam) by the inhabitants of the islands.

Bahrainis were amongst the first to embrace Islam. Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him&his family) ruled Bahrain through one of his representatives, Al-Ala'a Al-Hadhrami. Bahraini embraced Islam in the eighth year of hijra (Islamic calendar).

Captain Ahmad bin Majid described Bahrain in 1489 as follows: "In Awal (Bahrain) there are 360 villages and sweet water can be found in a number of places. A most wonderful al-Qasasir, where a man can dive into the salt sea with a skin and can fill it with fresh water while he is submerged in the salt water. Around Bahrain are pearl fisheries and a number of islands all of which have pearl fisheries and connected with this trade are 1,000 ships".

Bahrain became a principal centre of knowledge for hundreds of years stretching from the early days of Islam in the sixth century to the eighteenth century. Philosophers of Bahrain were highly esteemed. A postgraduate (MA) dissertation submitted in 1952 by M. G. Guriawala to the University of London described one of the great philosophers of Bahrain, Sheikh Maitham Al-Bahrani (died in 1299), as follows. "When Bahrani discusses the views of the opponents, he generally reproduces them with definite fairness. This is shown by comparing his account of these views with the original versions of such views as set forth by the authors in these classical works on Muslim theology and philosophy, such as Al-Asha'ari, Al-Baghdadi, Al-Ghazali, Ibn Sina, etc. He sets these views in order numbering in an exact way. Then he replies to them one by one in accordance with their numerical order. In his replies to the objections and doubts raised by his opponents, he may seldom write with passion, but rather proceeds to prove the falsity of these views with logical coolness". The mosque of Sheikh Maitham together with his tomb can be visited in the outskirts of the Capital, Manama, near the district of Mahooz.

Bahrain historical sights are the scenes of tombs and remnants of schools that explain the importance of knowledge and knowledgeable persons in the history of Bahrain. This part of history is of great pride to the Bahrainis, but not to the present ruling family Al-Khalifa rulers!!

In 1521, the Portuguese invaded Bahrain to take control of its wealth created by the pearl industry. The Portuguese commander Antonio Correia beheaded the then King Muqrin of Bahrain. The latter attacked Bahrain on the front that defended Bahrain coast (nowadays Karbabad) and took control of the  Bahrain fort "Qala'at Al-Bahrain". The bleeding head of King Muqrin was later depicted on the Coat of Arms of Antonio Correia. The Portuguese continued to use brutal force against the inhabitants for eighty years, until their demise from the island in 1602. An uprising by the inhabitants coincided with regional rivalry between the Portuguese and their rival European powers. The Persian Empire under Shah Abbas-I was gaining strength and Bahrain's external boundaries became under the Persian Empire control. Inside Bahrain, the inhabitants re-arranged their internal rule in accordance with their practice.

Bahrain Historical Years :