|
|
|
There are findings indicating settlements in Qatar dating a couple of thousand years behind in time. Evidence indicates also that the climate of this period was not as hot as in our time. However, there is some evidence pointing in direction of Qatar being close to uninhabited for centuries, up until as recently as the 16th century. Around 1750: The arrival of the ath-Thani family, coming from Najd in today's Saudi Arabia. They settled in the region as fishers and pearl divers. 1766: The al-Khalifa families moves from Kuwait to Qatar. 1783: Persian invasion, driving the al-Khalifas to Bahrain, but they still hold a great influence over Qatar. Around 1850: Qatar is becoming
a centre for pearl extraction, with Zubara in the northwest as the main
centre. This activity was controlled by the al-Khalifa family of Bahrain
(now the ruling family). There were serious tensions between the ath-Thani
and the al-Kahlifa families. 1867: Shaykhu Muhammadi bni th-Thani signs a treaty with the British, in order to protect him from the Khalifas of Bahrain. Later the same year, the emir dies. Qasim succeeds him. 1872: Emir Qasim signs a treaty with the Turks that allowed them to establish a garrison in Doha. Qasim did successfully conduct a politics of independence between the British and the Turks, but nominally he acted as a representative of the Ottoman sultan. Qasim rose to a high regional position, and was one of the strongest leaders of eastern Arabia. 1893: Fightings between Qasim and the Turks stationed in Doha. No change in the status occurs, however. 1913: Qasim dies. Shaykh Abdullah succeeds Qasim. 1915: Turks withdraws from Doha. British regional dominance, Turkish weakness, and the threat from the advancing Abdul Aziz as-Saud in eastern Arabia, were all motivating factors for the Qatari demand on this move. 1916: Treaty between Abdullah and the British. This involved British monopoly on dealing with Qatar. Qatar becomes a British protectorate. Around 1930: Collapse in the pearl market. This has dramatic effects on the Qatari economy. Parallel to this, oil was predicted found in Qatar. 1935: Concessions granted to the PDQ, Petroleum Development Qatar, to search for oil. 1937: The ath-Thani family gains control over Zubara. 1939: Oil is discovered.
1952: The first school of the country opens. 1959: First full hospital opens. 1960: Ali abdicates, in favour of his son, Ahmed. Ahmed becomes the country's first weak ruler, but he has a strong second in Khalifa bni Hamadi th-Thani, who acts as Deputy Ruler and Prime Minister. 1971: Britain leaves the region. Qatar has talks with Bahrain and the Trucial States on establishing a federation. Qatar withdraws from the talks right after Bahrain pulls out. September 1: Independence is declared. 1972 February 22: Khalifa takes power in a palace coup, Ahmed is exiled to dubai. Khalifa had been the strong man of Qatar for the last 12 years, controlling all institutions of importance. A period of stability and economical progress starts. 1974: Qatar General Petroleum Corporation is established, and with this petroleum extraction comes under full national control. 1986: Conflict with Bahrain over the artificial island of Fashtu d-Dibal. 1991: Agreement with Iran on delivery of fresh water, through a tunnel that is to be constructed under the Persian Gulf. 1992: Conflict with Saudi Arabia over the border issue, clashes occur. 1993: Agreement with Saudi Arabia over the border issue. 1995: After meetings, the issue of Hawar Islands with Bahrain remains unresolved. June 27: his son, Shaykh Hamadu bni Khalifati th-Thani, in a bloodless coup, repossesses Khalifa while Khalifa is travelling abroad. Hamad had been acting as defense minister at the time of the coup, and was the appointed heir. Khalifa declared that he would return to reclaim power. July 3: Establishing of the Doha Securities Market. |
1949: Due to delays of the
World War II, oil production starts this year. Emir Abdullah chooses to
receive economical advice both from the British and from Egyptian
advisors.