Middle East Kingdoms

Bahrain

Perhaps the first role of Bahrain in recorded history was as the Sumerian trading partner of Dilmun. Although the exact location of the ancient centre is unknown, Bahrain is certainly a strong candidate. More concrete is its identification as Awal of the various incarnations of the Persian empire between the sixth century BC to the seventh century AD. Conquered by Islam in AD 629, the island archipelago fell under various Arabic rulers until it was captured by the Portuguese in 1521-1602. Then Iran controlled it for almost two hundred years, followed by periods of independent rule and reliance again on Iran. Then Britain overpowered the island's defenders in 1861 and Bahrain was placed under British protection.

In 1783, under Iranian overlordship, the hakims (lords, or governors) of Bahrain controlled the island locally. The family remained in place under the British protectorate and colony, and emerged into full independence in 1971.

(Timeline of events adapted in part from the BBC chronology of key events in Bahrain.)

1783 - 1796

Sheikh Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Khalifa

First hakim of Bahrain, and grandson of Khalifa.

1783

Following a change of power in the region as tribes fight for local governorship, the Bani Utbah tribe become the regional power. Thanks to this, the Khalifa gain control of Bahrain and rule independently in all but name.

The Bahrain Fort is based on a mound which has been inhabited since 2300 BC

1796 - 1843

Sheikh Abdullah

Son.

1796 - 1825

Sheikh Sulman

Brother. Co-ruler.

1825 - 1834

Sheikh Khalifah

Son. Successor to Sheikh Sulman as co-ruler.

1834 - 1842

Sheikh Muhammad

Son. Successor to Sheikh Khalifah as co-ruler.

1843 - 1868

Sheikh Muhammad

Former co-ruler (1834-1842).

1861

Britain takes control of Bahrain and the island is placed under British protection.

1868 - 1869

Sheikh Ali

Son of Khalifah. First British dependent, free of Iranian control.

1869

Sheikh Muhammad

Former hakim (1843-1868).

1869

Sheikh Muhammad

Son of Abdullah.

1869 - 1932

Sheikh Essa Ben Ali

Son of Ali.

1892 - 1895

Britain establishes Bahrain as a colony in 1892, but this leads to a revolt breaking out in 1895. This is quickly put down.

1913

Britain and the Ottoman government sign a treaty recognising the independence of Bahrain, but the country remains under British administration (which it had done since 1861).

1931

The Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), a subsidiary of the Standard Oil Company of California (Socal), discovers oil at Jabal al-Dukhan and production begins the following year.

1932 - 1942

Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa

Born 1872.

1939

Britain decides that the Hawar Islands, which lie in the Gulf of Bahrain between Bahrain and Qatar, belong to Bahrain and not Qatar. The islands remain a source of political conflict between Qatar and Bahrain for the course of the century.

1942 - 1961

Salman ibn Hamad Al Khalifa

Born 1894.

1961 - 1971

Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifah

Born 1933.

1967

Britain moves its main regional naval base from Aden to Bahrain.

1968

On 16 January, Britain announces that it will close its bases east of Suez by 1971, part of an ongoing process of withdrawal from imperial territories which had started at the close of the Second World War.

1970

On 19 January, the Administrative Council becomes a twelve-member Council of State, headed by a president, the ruler's brother, Sheikh Khalifah Bin-Salman Al Khalifah. In May the same year, Iran renounces its claim to sovereignty over Bahrain after a United Nations report shows that Bahrainis want to remain independent.

1971

Bahrain declares independence on 15 August and signs a new treaty of friendship with Britain. Sheikh Isa becomes the first Emir and the Council of State becomes a cabinet. On 16 December, Bahrain gains formal independence from Britain. Bahrain is the first Gulf state to sign a free trade pact with the US. Later in the same year on 23 December, Bahrain and the US sign an agreement which permits the US to rent naval and military facilities.

Emirate of Bahrain / Kingdom of Bahrain
AD 1971 - Present Day

Modern Bahrain is a borderless island state lying in the Persian Gulf. It is also the smallest Arab nation. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain by the King Fahd Causeway (officially opened on 25 November 1986), while Qatar is to the south across the Persian Gulf.

The capital is at Manama, a major port city and commercial centre which lies on the north-eastern tip of the island. It was declared a free port in 1958. The country changed its name from the 'State of Bahrain' to the 'Kingdom of Bahrain' in 2002.

1971 - 1999

Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifah

First emir of an independent Bahrain (hakim since 1961).

1975

On 26 August, following claims by Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifah Bin-Salman Al Khalifah that the National Assembly is impeding the work of the government, the emir dissolves the assembly and rules by decree.

1999 - Present

Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifah

Eldest son. King from 2002.

2002

On 14 February, Bahrain turns itself into a constitutional monarchy and allows women to stand for office in a package of reforms.

Following the creation of a series of artificial islands in Dubai, Bahrain created its own set, known as Durrat Al Bahrain, which was opened in 2009

2011

A wave of popular protests against a deeply unpopular and dictatorial government in Tunisia forces the president to flee the country, paving the way for fresh elections and a new start. The protests strike a chord in Arabs across North Africa and the Middle East, and similar protests are triggered in Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Syria and Yemen. Initially, force is used in Bahrain against the protestors, before calmer heads prevail and talks begin to find a way of resolving matters.

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad

Son and heir.