|
|
| Oman is a country as
old as time. Although we know a little about the first fisherman and
hunter-gatherers, it is clear from recent archeological discoveries and
research that an early form of civilisation existed at least 5000 years ago.
Sumerian tablets refer to a country known as 'Magan' for its copper mines,
which is almost certainly a reference to Oman's early mining industry
and regional trade. 'Mazoun', another early name of Oman, is thought to
refer to the abundance of water, which made it possible to establish
the first farming communities. The name Oman is said to come from the fact
that a number of Arab tribes migrated to the country from a place in
Yemen called Uman. It is certain that many tribes settled in Oman from
elsewhere in ancient times. |
| The Omanis were among
the first Arabs to embrace Islam , when the Prophet Mohammed sent Amr ibn
al-As to the rulers of Oman, inviting them to the embrace the Faith.Oman
responded to the call and from then on became stronghold of Islam, helping
to spread the faith to many parts of the world, most notably to eastern and
central Africa. With the acceptance to Islam, Oman in the Middle Ages became
a prosperous seafaring nation, trading from the great port of Sohar to
Africa, India and the Far East. |
|
In the early 16th
century, the Portuguese who were rivals for the lucrative maritime trade
developed by the Omanis , invaded Oman and captured Muscat. The Portuguese
occupation lasted for one hundred and fifty years in the face of stiff
resistance. The Portuguese were eventually defeated and expelled by
Sultan bin Saif al-Ya’arubi. |
| Under the Ya'aruba
Imams, Oman saw a period of great prosperity at home and abroad. Many
of Oman's historic buildings and forts date from this period.
Unfortunately civil war erupted between the tribes over the election of a
new Imam and Persian forces seized the opportunity to intervene and occupied
Muscat. |
| In 1744
Ahmed bin Said was elected Imam. He expelled the Persian Invaders and
restored national unity. Since then no foreign power has invaded Oman.
He revived Oman's fortunes and built a strong navy and merchant fleet.
During the last 250 years , Oman therefore not only freed itself from
foreign occupation and influence but, during the first half of the
19th century , created a empire which included the possessions on both sides
of the Gulf and in East Africa. Oman reached its zenith in the mid-19th
century, becoming a regional power that dominated the Indian Ocean Trade.
Political links were established with great powers of age, namely Britain,
France and the United States. External factors and the world events
then intervened to cause a period of decline and isolation from which Oman
only emerged in 1970, with the accession of His Majesty , Sultan Qaboos who
restored the fortunes of Oman founded by his ancestors. |
|
Fun |
Games
