The History of Oman.

Lukshila Akshini | 25 November 2022

In the Arab world, Oman is the oldest autonomous nation. The Omani Empire by the 18th century spanned from modern-day Oman to Africa’s east coast. Sultan Qaboos bin Said altered the name of the nation from the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman to just Oman in 1970, ushering in a new era.

Aybut Al Auwal may have had an industrial presence there as early as 100,000 years ago, according to archaeological data. Al Wattih, one of the oldest cities ever to have been inhabited, can be found in Oman and is 10,000 years old. Before Islam arrived in Oman in the 7th century, the Assyrians, Persians and Babylonians ruled the region. Each wanted to take advantage of Oman’s advantageous location for international trade.

Due to Oman’s strategically significant location on trade routes to the east, the Portuguese dominated the area around Muscat between 1507 and 1650. Between 1581 and 1888, Muscat was under Ottoman rule. However, neither the Portuguese nor the Ottomans had complete control over Oman. By the middle of the 17th century, Omani tribes led by the Imam expelled the Portuguese from Muscat.

Oman embraced Islam peacefully as Islam grew during the 7th century. Over the next centuries, a number of dynasties, imamates, and foreign forces shared control over Oman. The Nabhani dynasty took control in 1154 and dominated Oman until 1470.

Saif bin Sultan, the Imam of Oman, started a phase of expansion down the east coast of Africa in the late 17th century. After driving away the Persian invaders from Oman in 1737, the current Al Said dynasty ascended to power in that country in 1749. The Omani Empire grew to include Gwadar in modern-day Pakistan in 1783. Oman developed and become a significant regional trading force through maritime trade.

A Treaty of Friendship was made between Oman and the Great Britain in 1798. The Britain promised to uphold the Sultan’s reign under this agreement. However, the Omani Empire was split into the Sultanates of Oman and Muscat and the Sultanate of Zanzibar in 1856 due to a succession issue. Oman and Muscat were made a British Protectorate in 1891. The Sultan maintained power over the coast around Muscat for most of this time, while the Imam oversaw internal affairs from Nizwa. Oman gained independence from Britain as a result of the 1951 Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation.

Sultan Qaboos came to power on July 23, 1970. Since then, Oman has developed into a wealthy and powerful country. By balancing ethnic, regional, and tribal differences, Sultan Qaboos has raised the standard of living for his people. The Basic Statute of the State, Oman’s first written constitution, which protects rights within the bounds of Islamic and customary law, was originally established by Sultan Qaboos in 1996.