History of Oman (Principia Moderni IV Map Game)

This article is about the history of Oman.

Early history

 * Main article: History of Oman

The Nabhani dynasty took power in 1154 and continued to rule Oman into the 16th century. Rulers of Oman during this period often stylized themselves as Malik, which translates to either "king" or "sultan", thus Oman was known as either a kingdom or a sultanate.

15th century
In 1401, with the intention to spread the frankincense trade around the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean via more accessible methods, the Sultan of Oman commanded the skilled shipwrights of Sohar to construct a fleet of ten trade galleys to help extend the Omani naval influence. With these new ships, a small envoy was sent to Cairo to suggest the opening of a permanent trade route between Cairo and Oman.

The Sultan also commissioned the renovation and expansion of settlements on the island of Masirah, with the end goal being to create a permanent hub of trade with easy access to the Indian Ocean. Some of the new fleet was also sent east to India and beyond to find new trade opportunities and to investigate tales of fantastic and exotic spices said to come from that region. The fort at Bahla was expanded, and an extra extension was added to the armoury.

In 1419, the King Makhzum bin al Fallah sent envoys to the Gurkani Sultanate to explore trade relations and the potential of an alliance. Meanwhile, explorers were sent to India to determine the economic value of becoming involved in that region. A trade agreement was signed with the Gurkani Sultanate later that year, and Oman also began regular trade with the Bahmanids.

War with Bahmanids and acquisition of Gujarat
As Omani traders continued to interact with India, the King of Oman focused on establishing economic dominance in parts of India. From 1421, Oman established profitable trade with Gujarat. In 1427, the Delhi Sultanate signed an alliance with Oman. Hoping to seize rich Omani trade for themselves, in 1428, the Bahmani Sultanate invaded Gujarat with 180,000 men. Oman did nothing, content to be trading with Gujarat despite its new rulers.

In 1432, the Bahmanids invaded the Delhi Sultanate and declared war on Oman. This event became known elsewhere as the Hindustan War. 200,000 men and 800 war elephants were sent into Gondwana, while Oman met the Bahmanid navy at sea. The Omani fleet appears to have been weakened during the war, but the war was ultimately disastrous for the Bahmani Sultanate. The Bahmanids were forced to give the provinces of Gujarat to Oman as part of the terms of peace.

Still bitter from their defeat in 1438, the Bahmani Sultanate sent a force of 130,000 men and 55 ships to conquer Sindh and its port of Karachi to disrupt Omani trade in the region.

From 1440, under the command of Sultan Ali Nadeem Shah, the Bahmanids hired bandits, rebels, and pirates in Gujarat to attack Omani soldiers and trade ships, as well as burning fields to decrease Oman's profit from the province. The robbers were given safe haven in Bahmanid territory. This was part of an attempt to make Gujarat an expensive and unprofitable colony of Oman.

In 1444, Ali Nadeem Shah offered to buy the province of Gujarat in exchange for five ships filled with gold and silver, a large trading post at Diu, favored trading privileges in the Bahmani Sultanate, and 10% of all crown revenue in Gujarat. The King of Oman declined the offer. The next year, Oman conquered Kathiawar, the territory next to Gujarat, as part of a process to increase its economic dominance in the region. Mogadishu began piracy against Oman during 1445, but the economic warfare finally ended when the Bahmanid Sultan Ismail came to power.

Ismail Shah worked to reverse the bitter relations caused by his father, and in 1448, officially recognized Omani ownership of Gujarat and assisted them in hunting down the remaining rebels in exchange for an alliance. In 1450, the Bahmani Sultanate urged Oman to assist in a war with Majapahit, but Oman declined.

Reign of Sultan Al Khattab
In 1451, Sultan Omar bin al-Khattab of the Nabhani dynasty took power in Oman. In 1453 he attempted to increase religious authority and unite Arabia. Diplomatic relations with the Abbasids were strengthened. In 1455, the Bahmani Sultanate again offered to buy the Omani territories in India. The offer was accepted.

In 1456, the ambitious Sultan Al-Khattab raised an army of 80,000 men to unite the the Arabian tribes. The army consisted of 30,000 mounted archers, 5000 light cavalry, 20,000 light infantry, 10,000 dismounted archers, and 15,000 elite heavy infantry. This was part of a plan to transfer Oman from a naval power to a land power. Neighboring tribes were conquered, and the Sultan laid plans to build a new grand capital. During this time, the Bahmanids sought to increase trade with Oman, but were likely deterred by the schemes of Sultan Omar.

For a period of 28 years, the Sultanate of Oman maintained an isolationist policy. The coastal regions such as Muscat prospered from Indian Ocean trade, but the government in Bahla suffered.

Reign of King Farhad
In 1484, Sultan al-Khattab was overthrown and King Farhad ascended the throne, laying claim to large swaths of unclaimed land on the border. The Delhi Sultanate called Oman to war against a local rebellion, but King Farhad refused.

From 1484 to 1486, the warlord Idris ibn al-Hamad of Syria invaded Gurkani Mesopotamia with the intention of "liberating" local Sunnis from their Shiite overlords. He sent his brother Sharif to Oman to make an alliance with the King of Oman. King Farhad agreed to the alliance and sent his navy into the Persian Gulf to attack the Gurkani coastline. The Omanis and Syrians avoided direct battle, instead riding (or sailing) across the land, killing Persians, and "liberating" Sunni Muslims. However, support among ethnic Persians for the Gurkani Sultan remained strong. Shiite Muslims were massacred wherever they were identified. Many people accused their neighbors of being Shia simply so they could seize their wealth.

In retaliation, the Gurkani Sultanate started raids on Oman's coast, sinking Omani merchant ships and pirates. The entire gulf fleet of the Gurkani Sultanate was sent to combat Oman's navy.

In 1486, considering the Omani blockade an act of war, the Bahmani Sultanate sent a fleet of 250 ships to the Persian Gulf to match Oman's navy. All Omani trade privileges in Gujarat were revoked and their merchants' property was seized. The Delhi Sultanate also broke their alliance with Oman, and sent 50 ships to the Persian Gulf to assist the Bahmanids.

By the end of the year, the Omani navy was destroyed by the Gurkani. In 1487, King Farhad was replaced by Sultan Omar al-Sharif, who completely withdrew from attacking the Gurkani.

Reign of Sultan Al Sharif
Under the rule of the Nabhani Sultan Omar al-Sharif, the Sultanate of Oman again entered an isolationist period. Normal diplomatic and trade relations resumed with the Bahmani Sultanate in 1495.

In 1498, a Chinese fleet made a visit to the coast of Oman.

16th century
In 1500, Sultan Omar al-Sharif was overthrown by a rebellion. After a period of interregnum in Oman, Suleiman bin Mudhafar ascended the throne in 1501. In response to the increasing power of the Imams and religious leaders, King Suleiman passed a set of laws in Oman to decrease religious authority and increase the authority of the crown. The coastal regions of Oman, such as the port of Muscat, prospered from Indian Ocean trade and grew in wealth. The capital was moved from Bahla to Muscat, in order to encourage sea trade and build Oman as a trading power. The oasis of Bahla remained an important trade and military location, with the large adobe and sandstone fortress in the highlands overseeing the neighboring city of Nizwa, and the town itself being a producer of fine pottery.

The Bahmanid Sultanate was also recognized as a major trading power in the region, and Oman requested a formal trade agreement to improve the once bitter relations between the two countries. On the northwestern coasts of Oman, new ships were built to protect the pearling and fishing industry from piracy. Venetians and other European workers were employed in Dubai.

In 1502, the wealthy port of Julfar was further developed as a location for shipbuilding as well as pearling. Coir and timber of the highest quality required to build Indian Ocean-faring dhows were imported from the Kerala region in the Bahmani Sultanate. The rich pearl beds of the western coasts attracted merchants from the west, although relations were still strained with the Gurkani Sultanate. Additionally, King Suleiman ordered the construction of a new set of roads in the north to be used in overland trading with the Abbasids, Europe and Asia. Oman expanded further north along the Arabian coast, sending a large expedition to drive out the Jabrid dynasty that occupied the region, and guard the roads from Bani Khalid incursions.

Normal trade and diplomatic relations between Oman and the Gurkani Sultanate resumed in 1502.

In 1503, the kingdom expanded further north from Bahrain along the Arabian coast. Oman became involved in the ivory and slave trade of the Swahili Coast, and many Omani traders ventured south to the market towns. To influence trade in Africa, King Suleiman ordered the construction of eight new ships to replace the older ones in the fleet. Three additional ships were purchased from Kerala. The trade fleet was placed under the charge of Captain Mu'tasim, and set sail in August, arriving at the ports of Mogadishu, Kilwa, and Mombasa. A detailed record of the expedition and geography of the region was written by Captain Mu'tasim, before the fleet returned to Oman.

The national flag of Oman was changed to a white khanjar dagger on a red background, although the navy retained the plain red flag.

Rulers of Oman

 * Makhzum bin al Fallah (1406–1435)
 * Abul Hassan of Oman (1435–1451)
 * Omar bin al-Khattab (1451–1484)
 * Farhad (1484–1487)
 * Omar al Sharif (1490–1500)
 * Suleiman bin Mudhafar (1500–present)