Qatar History

Historians have traced human habitation in Qatar dating back 5000 years.

According to the Greek historian Herodotus the original inhabitants of Qatar were traders who came to settle near the coast.  The mention of Qatar on the geographer, Ptolemy’s map confirms its significance as an important trade route connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.

Not much is known about the history of Qatar from the earlier period since most of its nomadic inhabitants and the desert environment.  In the seventh century AD, Qatar embraced Islam during the era of its king Al Munthir bin Sawi Al Tameemi.

During the Abbasid era, in the fourteenth century AD, Qatar experienced a period of economic growth as a result of increased demand for pearls from the Caliphate in Baghdad.  Evidence of this period may be found at the Murwab Fort, on the western coast of the country, which reflects the Abbasid style of architecture. 

Qatar was ruled by many great powers through the centuries.  The rise of many settlements were seen during the Abassid era (750-1258).  The Portuguese ruled from 1517 to 1538 after which they lost to the Ottomans.

The Al Khalifa and the Al Jalahima sections of the Bani Utub tribe migrated from Kuwait and founded Al Zubarah.  Given its proximity to rich oyster banks, it slowly became a trading and pearling hub.

In the eighteenth and early nineteenth century British power in the Arabian Gulf grew stronger with an aim to secure its routes to India.  Many Qataris fled Doha after a bombardment by the East India Company Vessel.  In 1867 Bahraini forces pillaged Doha and Al Wakrah causing Qatar to counter attack.  To bring stability in the region British agent Colonel Lewis Pelly imposed a settlement in 1868 that recognized Qatar from Bahrain and also acknowledged the position of Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani bin Mohammed, who established Al Bidda, the modern city of Doha, as the capital.

Qatar under Ottoman Empire
Qatar came under Ottoman Empire for more than 40 years when Sheikh Qassim bin Mohammed Al Thani accepted its sovereignty in 1872 to get support to lay claim over Al Zubarah, then under Bahraini control.  But his relations with the Ottomans deteriorated and in 1893 a force was sent to retaliate over his refusal to permit an Ottoman custom house in Doha.  After defeating Ottoman forces and embracing the resurgent Wahhabis under King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud, Qatar was free from the Ottoman rule.

Qatar under the British
The new ruler Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim Al Thani signed a treaty with the British in 1916.  Qatar received military protection from the British and in return had to give up its autonomy in foreign affairs.  But the British kept Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim Al Thani at an arms length until the 1930s when the competition with the United States for oil concessions deepened.

Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa the ruler of Bahrain imposed a ban on trade and travel to Qatar after he was defeated in his bid to occupy Al Zubarah.  The British supported Qatar’s claim and warned the ruler of Bahrain not to intervene.

Oil was discovered in Qatar in 1939 but World War II disrupted its exploitation.  This period was marked with economic hardship due to the collapse of the pearl trade, global depression in the early 1930’s and Bahraini restrictions on trade.

In 1949 oil exports and off shore payments marked a turning point in Qatar’s history.  It helped the country to progress and form administrative systems.  Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani sought British recognition as a ruler in 1949 and in return agreed to their presence in the country.

The infrastructure, foreign labour force and bureaucracy continued to grow under Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani’s guidance in the 1960’s.  In 1968, Britain announced its intention to withdraw from Qatar by the year 1971.

Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali formed a provisional constitution in April 1970, declaring Qatar an Independent, Arab Islamic state with the Sharia (Islamic Law) as its basic law.  Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad became Prime Minister in May and the first council of Ministers was sworn in on January 1, 1970.  Qatar became an independent state on September 3, 1971.

The history of Qatar after Independence
Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad with the support of the Al Thani family and political, financial, and military support began his administration on February 22, 1972.  Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad increased spending on social programmes including education, health, housing and pension.

In 1995 his son His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani assumed the throne; he brought with him a modern and progressive approach that quickly transformed the country.

Press freedom was given in 1997 and a state-funded satellite TV news channel Al Jazeera was launched.

H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani revised the constitution to include provisions for the establishment of an elected parliament.  The May 1998 election of the 18-member Chamber of Commerce and Industry, prestigious positions that had been previously subject to the Emir’s appointment, marked Qatar’s first exercise in democracy.  The election was particularly ground breaking in that it gave Qatari women the opportunity to vote and to run for office.  Women now serve in the State Ministries, including Her Excellency Sheikha Ahmad Al Mahmoud, who holds the position of Minister of Education. 

In April 2003 Qataris approved a new constitution, which allowed for a 45-member parliament, 30 of whom are directly elected and the remainder appointed.  The new constitution came into effect in June 2004.