History of Bahrain

The historical development of Bahrain, an island country in the Persian Gulf, from ancient Dilmun settlements through the formation of its modern state.

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Dilmun: An ancient civilization and trading center centered on Bahrain and neighboring Gulf islands. Dilmun is the earliest major civilization associated with Bahrain.
Uyunid dynasty: A medieval Arab dynasty that ruled Bahrain and parts of eastern Arabia from the eleventh to thirteenth centuries. The Uyunids established one of Bahrain’s major medieval ruling houses.
Ahmed al-Fateh: Ahmed ibn Muhammad Al Khalifa, the ruler who led the capture of Bahrain in 1783. His conquest established Al Khalifa rule on the island.
Bahrain oil discovery: The discovery of oil at Jebel Dukhan in 1932, the first commercial oil discovery in the Arab Gulf. Oil revenues transformed Bahrain’s economy and accelerated modernization.
History of Qatar: The historical development of Qatar, from ancient settlements and tribal rule to its modern statehood. Qatar and Bahrain share tribal ties and overlapping territorial disputes.
Tylos: The name used by classical Greek writers for Bahrain, especially during the Hellenistic period. Greek accounts describe Bahrain as Tylos after Alexander’s conquests.
Usfurid dynasty: A dynasty that ruled Bahrain and parts of eastern Arabia during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Usfurid rule followed the collapse of Uyunid power.
Isa ibn Ali Al Khalifa: Bahrain’s ruler from 1869 to 1932, during the consolidation of British influence. His long reign encompassed the protectorate’s early decades.
Bahraini uprising of 1994–1999: A period of unrest and opposition protests in Bahrain demanding political reforms during the 1990s. The uprising prompted political changes after Isa bin Salman’s death.
History of Kuwait: The historical development of Kuwait from a Gulf trading settlement to an independent state. Kuwait offers a neighboring example of state formation under British influence.