Trucial States

Trucial States
Protectorates of the United Kingdom
↓ 1820–1971 →   →
Flag of the Trucial States Council
Capital	Not specified
Government	Federated absolute monarchy. Princely states of British India (until 1947)
History
- General Maritime Treaty	8 January 1820
- Perpetual Maritime Truce	1853
- Trucial States Council	1952
- End of protectorate	1 December 1971
- United Arab Emirates	2 December 1971
Preceded by Succeeded by Abu Dhabi Ajman Dubai Ras al-Khaimah Sharjah Umm al-Qaiwain United Arab Emirates Ras al-Khaimah

The Trucial States (also known as Trucial Oman,Trucial States of the Coast of Oman, the Trucial Coast, and the Trucial Sheikhdoms) were a group of sheikhdoms in the Persian Gulf. They were a British protectorate from 1820 until 1971, when they became the United Arab Emirates.

General aspects

The sheikdoms included:

• Abu Dhabi (1820–1971)
• Ajman (1820–1971)
• Dubai (1820–1971)
• Sharjah (1820–1971)
• Umm al-Quwain (1820–1971)
• Ras al-Khaimah (1822–1972)
• Dibba (1871–1951)
• Hamriyah (1875–1922)
• Fujairah (1902–1971)
• Kalba (1903–1952)
• Heera (1915–1942)

The sheikdoms permanently allied themselves with the United Kingdom by the Perpetual Maritime Truce of 1853, until in 1892 they entered into "Exclusivity Agreements" with the British - following on from Bahrain in 1880 - which put them under British protection. This was an unclear status which fell short of a formal protectorate, but required Britain to defend them from external aggression in exchange for exclusive British rights in the states. Until 1969, the Indian rupee remained the de facto currency of the Trucial states as well as the other Gulf states such as Qatar, Bahrain and Oman until these countries introduced their own currencies in 1969, after the great devaluation of the Indian rupee. In 1952, the Trucial States Council was established to encourage co-operation between the seven remaining sheiks.

Beginning of British rule

The area came under the direct influence of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century. Thereafter the region was known to the British as the "Pirate Coast", as raiders based there harassed the shipping industry despite both European and Omani navies patrolling the area from the 17th century into the 19th century. British expeditions to protect the Indian trade from raiders at Ras al-Khaimah led to campaigns against that headquarters and other harbours along the coast in 1819. The next year, a peace treaty was signed to which all the sheikhs of the coast adhered. Raids continued intermittently until 1835, when the sheikhs agreed not to engage in hostilities at sea. In 1853, they signed a treaty with the United Kingdom, under which the sheikhs (the "Trucial Sheikhdoms") agreed to a "perpetual maritime truce". It was enforced by the United Kingdom, and disputes among sheikhs were referred to the British for settlement.

Flag of the Trucial Coast

The Treaty of 1892

Primarily in reaction to the ambitions of other European countries, the United Kingdom and the Trucial Sheikhdoms established closer bonds in an 1892 treaty, similar to treaties entered into by the UK with other Persian Gulf principalities. The sheikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help in case of land attack.

End of the Trucial States

The United Kingdom announced its intention to end its protectorate over the Trucial Coast in 1968. The sheikdoms attempted to establish a federation with Qatar and Bahrain, but it ultimately failed to materialize. The British government terminated its treaty relationship on 1 December 1971, leading to the independence of the seven states. The next day, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain united to form the United Arab Emirates. Ras al-Khaimah joined on 11 February 1972.