Muscat Tour in Oman

A Historical Overview of Muscat

Evidence of community life around Muscat can be traced back to the 6th millennium BC, particularly at Ras al-Hamra, where burial sites belonging to fishermen have been uncovered. These graves show remarkable craftsmanship and suggest the presence of burial rituals. Further south of Muscat, remnants of Harappan pottery indicate potential interactions with the Indus Valley civilization.

Muscat’s significance as a port was recognized as early as the 1st century AD by the Greek geographer Ptolemy, who referred to it as Cryptus Portus (the Hidden Port), and by Pliny the Elder, who named it Amithoscuta. The port fell under Sassanid control during an invasion in the 3rd century AD, led by Shapur I. Islam began to spread in the region during the 7th century, amplifying Muscat’s importance as a trading hub in the ensuing centuries, particularly under the influence of the Azd tribe.

The formation of the First Imamate in the 9th century marked a significant step towards unifying various Omani tribal factions under an Ibadi political structure. Nonetheless, tribal disputes persisted, enabling the Abbasids from Baghdad to dominate Oman. The Abbasid control lasted until the 11th century when local tribes, specifically the Yahmad tribe, expelled them. Subsequently, power transitioned from the Yahmad tribe to the Azdi Nabahinah clan, under whose reign coastal cities like Muscat flourished through maritime trade and strong ties with the Indian subcontinent, albeit at the expense of the inland Omanis.

In 1507, Portuguese admiral Afonso de Albuquerque sailed into Muscat, seeking to establish trade relations. Upon his arrival at the harbor, his ships came under attack. This prompted him to launch a full-scale assault on Muscat, resulting in widespread destruction, as much of the city was set ablaze during and following the conflict.

The Portuguese Influence and the Rise of Local Power in Muscat

The Portuguese maintained control over Muscat for more than a century, facing challenges from Persia and enduring a bombardment by Ottoman Turks in 1546. The Turks managed to capture Muscat from the Portuguese on two occasions: first during the Capture of Muscat in 1552 and again between 1581 and 1588.

A pivotal moment in the region occurred in 1624 with the election of Nasir bin Murshid Al-Ya’rubi as Imam of Oman, shifting the power dynamics away from the Persians and Portuguese and towards local Omani leaders. Among the most significant architectural remnants of this era are the Al Jalali Fort and the Al-Mirani Fort, both prominent structures left by the Portuguese in Muscat.

On August 16, 1648, the Imam dispatched an army to Muscat that successfully captured and dismantled the towering defenses built by the Portuguese, significantly weakening their control over the city. A decisive victory was achieved in 1650 when a small but resolute group of the Imam’s forces launched a surprise nocturnal attack on the port, resulting in the Portuguese surrender on January 23, 1650.

However, the 18th century brought turbulence to the region as a civil war erupted and the Persian king Nader Shah made repeated incursions, destabilizing the area and straining the relationship between the interior and Muscat. This power vacuum allowed for the rise of the Al Bu Sa‘id dynasty, which has governed Oman ever since.

Muscat’s Naval Power and Its Impact on Trade

In the 19th century, Muscat’s naval and military dominance was restored under the reign of Said bin Sultan. This pivotal moment in Omani history came with the signing of a treaty with U.S. President Andrew Jackson’s envoy, Edmund Roberts, on September 21, 1833. With the acquisition of Zanzibar, Said bin Sultan relocated his capital to Stone Town, the historic quarter of Zanzibar City, in 1840. However, following his death in 1856, Omani control over Zanzibar faded as it transitioned into an independent sultanate ruled by his sixth son, Majid bin Said (1834/5–1870). Meanwhile, Said’s third son, Thuwaini bin Said, ascended as the Sultan of Oman.

During the same century, a significant Hindu merchant community surged in the port city of Muscat, shaping its commercial landscape. It is believed that their presence dates back to at least the 15th century, largely due to the Portuguese reliance on these traders for maintaining a trade monopoly in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. Among them, Sindhis were some of the first settlers, later followed by Kutchis. The merchant community played a crucial role in the expulsion of European powers in 1650.

Despite the civil unrest that ultimately led to the establishment of the Al Bu Sa‘id dynasty, this merchant population thrived, benefiting from the leadership of Ahmad bin Said al-Busaidi. Trade routes flourished between Muscat and cities like Thatta, and later Kutch, ultimately extending connections to various regions of India.