History of Oman

Omani Empire, 1696–1862 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Omani Empire ... was a maritime empire, vying with Portugal and Britain for trade and influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. In 1696, under the reign of Saif bin Sultan, an Omani fleet attacked Mombasa, besieging the Portuguese Fort Jesus, in which 2,500 civilians had taken refuge. After rising as a regional power in the 18th century, the empire at its peak in the 19th century saw its influence or control extend across the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran and Pakistan, and as far south as Cape Delgado in what is now Mozambique. After the death of Said bin Sultan in 1856 the empire was divided between his sons into two sultanates, an African section (Sultanate of Zanzibar) ruled by Majid bin Said and an Asian section (Sultanate of Muscat and Oman) ruled by Thuwaini bin Said.

Seat of power: Rustaq

Muscat and Oman, 1820–1970 Draft, not yet reviewed

Muscat and Oman was a state under de facto British protection that existed in the second half of the 19th century and the 20th century. In 1856, upon the death of the last ruler of the Omani Empire, Said bin Sultan, the empire split into two separate political entities: the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman and the Sultanate of Zanzibar. The Sultanate eventually became increasingly dependent on British loans and political advice.

Seat of power: Muscat

Rulers

• Faisal bin Turki Al Busaidi, Sultan of Oman, 1888–1913
• Taimur bin Faisal Al Said, Sultan of Oman, 1913–1932
• Said bin Taimur Al Said, Sultan of Oman, 1932–1970

Oman, 1970 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

Oman has been continuously ruled by the Al Bu Said dynasty since 1744. After the Dhofar rebellion and the 1970 Omani coup d'état, the state of Muscat and Oman transitioned into the modern state under Qaboos bin Said. Oman is an absolute monarchy ruled by a sultan, who serves as both head of state and head of government. Oman's oil reserves are ranked as the 22nd largest globally.

Seat of power: Muscat

Rulers

• Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman, 1970–2020
• Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, Sultan of Oman, 2020 to today