Middle East Kingdoms

Sultans of Oman & Zanzibar
AD 1754 - 1856

The Âl Bu Said dynasty, of Muscat (in modern Oman), Zanzibar (a large island off the East African coast), and Oman, essentially exercised Arab sea power in the Indian Ocean until the domination of Europe became overwhelming. Initially, they ruled Oman and Zanzibar as a single entity.

1698

Zanzibar becomes part of the holdings of the Sultanate of Oman. The Portuguese are expelled, losing their slave trade to the sultans after having made the island part of the Portuguese empire in 1503.

c.1754 - 1783

Ahmad ibn Said

1783 - 1786

Said ibn Ahmad

1786 - 1792

Hamid ibn Said

1792 - 1806

Sultan ibn Ahmad

1798

A treaty is signed with the British East India Company.

1806 - 1821

Salim ibn Sultan

1806 - 1856

Said ibn Sultan

1856

Zanzibar is ruled separately by a branch of the Omani sultans.

Sultans of Oman
AD 1856 - Present Day

From 1856 the sultans ruled in Oman only, while Zanzibar was now ruled separately.

1856 - 1866

Thuwaynu ibn Said

1866 - 1868

Salim ibn Thuwayni

1868 - 1870

Azzan ibn Qays

1870 - 1888

Turki ibn Said

1888 - 1913

Faysal ibn Turkî

1913 - 1932

Taymur ibn Faysal

1932 - 1970

Said ibn Taymur

1967

The British Protectorate is ended.

1970 - Present

Qabus ibn Said

Omani Sultans of Zanzibar
AD 1856 - 1964

From 1856 these sultans ruled in Zanzibar only, while Oman was now ruled separately.

1856 - 1870

Majid ibn Said

1870 - 1888

Barghash ibn Said

1888 - 1890

Khalifa ibn Barghash

1890

A British Protectorate is created for Zanzibar under the terms of the Helgoland-Zanzibar Treaty in which Germany undertakes to avoid becoming involved in British interests in the area.

1890 - 1893

Ali ibn Said

1893 - 1896

Hamid ibn Thuwayni

1896

Seyyid Khalid bin Bargash

Son of Barghash ibn Said. Usurper.

1896

Seyyid Khalid seizes the throne against the wishes of the British, so Royal Navy ships are sent to oust him on 27 August. A 45-minute bombardment and fierce firefight follows until Khalid flees to the German Consulate, and the rightful Vizier is enthroned in his place. The bombardment subsequently became known as The Shortest War in History.

1896 - 1902

Hammud ibn Muhammad

1902 - 1911

Ali ibn Hammud

1911 - 1960

Khalifa ibn Kharub

1960 - 1963

Abdallah ibn Khalifa

1963 - 1964

Jamshid ibn Abdallah

Overthrown.

1963

Zanzibar achieves independence from Britain on 10 December. The sultan is overthrown in a coup on 12 January 1964.

1964 - Present

Zanzibar is merged with Tanganyika to form the modern Republic of Tanzania.