bahrain

BAHRAIN

BRIEF HISTORY

The al-Khalifa dynasty of Bahrain (Al-Bahrein) descends from the al-Utub tribe, one of the foremost tribes of Najd. For a time they located to Kuwait, where they exercised considerable sway before conquering the island of Bahrain from the Persians in 1783 but briefly lost control to the Omanis in 1800. With Wahhabi help, the family attempted to regain control in 1801. However, they were kept under detention by the Wahhabis at Dar'iya until 1810. The Shaikh entered into treaty relations with the British in the 1820's and accepted British protection in 1914. It became fully independent on 15^th August 1971, when the Shaikh adopted the title of Amir. About 50% of the population are Shi'ites, co-religionists of the Iranians across the water. The remainder being Sunni, a continuous state of friction prevails between the two states. After a nation-wide constitutional referendum in 2002, the state of Bahrain was proclaimed a kingdom.

STYLES & TITLES:
The Sovereign: Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain, with the style of His Majesty.
The consort of the sovereign: Shaikha (personal name) bin (father's name), Queen of Bahrain, with the style of Her Majesty.
The Heir Apparent: Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) al-Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, with the style of His Royal Highness.
The consort of the Heir Apparent: Shaikha (personal name) bin (father's name), Crown Princess of Bahrain, with the style of Her Royal Highness.
The other sons of the Sovereign: Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) al-Khalifa, Prince of Bahrain, with the style of His Royal Highness.
The daughters of the Sovereign: Shaikha (personal name) bint (father's name) al-Khalifa, Princess of Bahrain, with the title of Her Royal Highness.
Other male descendants of rulers, in the male line: Shaikh (personal name) bin (father's name) al-Khalifa.
Other female descendants of rulers, in the male line: Shaikha (personal name) bint (father's name) al-Khalifa.

RULES OF SUCCESSION:
Male primogeniture amongst the descendants of Shaikh 'Isa I.

ORDERS AND DECORATIONS:
See separate page - link below.

SOURCES:
M.A. al-Tajir, Bahrain 1920-1945. London, 1967
Burke's Royal Families of the World. Volume II: Africa & The Middle East. Burke's Publications Ltd., London, 1980.
Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, First Light: Modern Bahrain and its Heritage. Kegan Paul International Limited, London, 1994.
A. Faroughy, The Bahrein Islands (1750-1951). New York, 1951.
T.T. Farah, Protection and Politics in Bahrain 1869-1915. Beirut, 1985.
C. Hardy-Guilbert, La Maison de Shaykh Isa à Bahrayn. Paris, 1981.
Historical Summary of Events in the Persian Gulf: Shaikhdoms and the
Sultanate of Muscat and Oman 1928-1953. IOR (R/15/1/931).
Captain A.B. Kemball, "Statistical and Miscellaneous Information connected with the Possessions, Revenues, Families, etc. of His Highness the Imam of Muskat; of the Ruler of Bahrein; and of the Chiefs of the Maritime Arab States of the Persian Gulf", 1^st July 1854. Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government. No. XXIV - New Series, 1856.
J.G. Lorimer, Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia. Calcutta, 1908-1915.
Persian Gulf Historical Summaries.
Political Diaries of the Persian Gulf. London, 1997.
Records of Bahrain: Primary Documents, 1993.
A. de L. Rush (ed.), Ruling Families of Arabia. Volume 8: Family Trees. Archive Editions, Archive International Group, Melksham, Oxon. 1991.
Who's Who in the Arab World. Publitec Publications, London, 1967-1999.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Shaikh Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa
Dr. Morris L. Bierbrier, FSA
Stephen Bunford
Dr. Khaled Al-Fadhel.
Torkel Nybakk Kvaal.

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I would be grateful to hear from anyone who may have changes, corrections or additions to contribute. If you do, please be kind enough to send me an e-mail using the contact details at: Copyright© Christopher Buyers

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