A brief history of Oman

Oman’s unique story reveals examples of great moral strength, courage, heroism, maritime skills, scholarship and hard work that have together moulded the Sultanate into its present form. By drawing our attention to the noble efforts of distinguished Omanis, historians have provided us with a deeper understanding of the great wealth of human experience that is at the foundation of modern Oman.

An understanding of Oman’s place at the heart of the Middle East and its relationship with neighbouring countries is central to understanding the international position of Oman today as well as its internal dynamics.
Oman occupies the far south-eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, its geographical boundaries clearly defined by nature from earliest times.
The earliest Stone Age settlement discovered in Oman is in the Wattaya district and dates back more than 10,000 years.
Babylon and Assyria were among the first empires to control the Asian land trade from the Arabian Gulf to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean. Later the Persian Empire expanded to gain influence over a vast area and control the region’s trade.

The rule of the Imams in Oman began in the eighth century C.E. Ibn Masoud was elected as the first imam in 751 and his reign lasted for four centuries until 1154. The Oman of the Imams was in the Nabhan period between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries AD; attempts to revive the Imamate in Oman were renewed in the fifteenth century but these attempts failed.
Between 1498 to 1507, after Portugal had occupied the trading ports of East Africa along with Aden, the Portuguese stranglehold, which lasted for more than a century and a half, was to fail because of Oman’s spirited resistance and the election of Imam Nasir bin Murshid to the Imamate in 1624 AD. The Portuguese possessions in India suffered tremendously from the Omani strikes. Portuguese and Omanis engaged in bloody battles for the control of East Africa, until the entire East African shore from Mombassa to Kilwa fell under Omani control. In 1698 AD the Omanis conquered Mombassa and then entered Pemba, Zanzibar and Patta, Mozambique was the only country that resisted the Omani Arab fleet, and it stayed under Portuguese control until the twentieth century .

Despite repeated attempts from 1737-1744 AD, the Persian invasions were not to achieve their objective of subduing Oman because of the valiant resistance put up by the Omanis. Oman’s heroic resistance staved off the Persian invasion in that period and their ultimate victory is owing to the leadership of Ahmed bin Said Al-Busaidi who succeeded in ousting the Persians from Oman and was elected Imam in 1744 AD, In 1970 His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Crowning Glory of Oman, inaugurated the renaissance and modern age of Oman .

Castle in Oman

Al-Jalali Castle

Al-Jalali Fort perches on top of a rock on the eastern side of the old harbour of Muscat, overlooking the majestic Al-Alam Palace. Its name is thought to be derived from the Persian name Jalal.The fort was originally built in the early 16th century by the Portuguese captain

Melkior Calaca with more fortifications and towers being added towards the latter half of the century. Upon its capture by Omani forces in 1650, it was gradually strengthened and rebuilt into its present form.

Al-Jalali is fortified by two towers, connected by a long wall with cannon slits. Rainwater was collected in a reservoir. Apart from access over a small bridge and stairway next to one of its towers, the fort is entirely cut off and cannot be reached by land.

The fort and its twin Al-Mirani, in conjunction with the formidable defences of Muttrah fort and a number of other fortified structures and watchtowers along the rocky ridges of the bay, made Muscat virtually impregnable. They collectively supplemented the old city's natural defences, the massed rows of rocky hills surrounding the bay.

The fort stands as a proud monument to a bygone era of Omani heroism and martial prowess, a life-size museum piece in its original and authentic setting.

Al-Mirani Castle

The impregnable Fort of Al-Mirani tops the western rocks of Muscat Bay, flanking Al-Alam Palace. It is thought to be named after one of its Portuguese inhabitants.

The fort was originally built in the early 16th century by the Portuguese, who used it as their major headquarters during the 60 years of their occupation of Oman. Towards the latter half of the century, they added more fortifications and towers to the fort. In 1610 a dock was constructed at the base of the fortification, equipped with a low-level battering ram to repel attacks from passing ships. In 1650, Omani forces expelled the Portuguese, and gradually rebuilt and strengthened the fort into its present form.Notable features of the fort are its oval-shaped artillery tower, soaring upwards to a height of 26.5 m from its rocky base at sea level, and the complex and confusing network of passages in the interior.

The fort and its twin Al-Jalali, in conjunction with the formidable defences of Muttrah fort and a number of other fortified structures and watchtowers along the rocky ridges of the bay, made Muscat virtually impregnable. They collectively supplemented the old city's natural defences, the massed rows of rocky hills surrounding the bay.

Nakhal Castle

Located in Al-Batina Region, Nakhl Castle sits on top of a 200-metre rocky prominence in the foothills of the Western Hajar Mountains, overlooking the extensive palm groves which surround Nakhl.The castle is believed to date from the pre-Islamic era, and underwent significant renovation in the 9th and 16th centuries during the reigns of Bani Kharous and the Al-Ya'aruba imams respectively.

The gate, fence and towers were built during the reign of Sultan Said bin Sultan Al-Bu Saidi in 1834.In 1990, the Castle was restored using traditional building materials and period furnishings.
Of the various towers, Al-Wasat Tower (Central Tower) is the most prominent. The castle also features a bridge and contains many rooms for various uses, including the quarters of the Wali, a guard's shelter and soldiers’ rooms.