Biography of a City, Part One

During the reign of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, beginning in 1803 CE, the Al Qawasim's power reached its peak. Their influence extended along the Arabian coast, from the village of Al Mamzar to Khatm Malaha, and encompassed the islands of Tunb, Abu Musa, Sirri, Abu Naim, and Lingeh on the Persian coast. All these areas were under the rule of Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi. In October 1821 CE, Ras Al Khaimah was handed over to Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr, and he quickly annexed it to Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr made Sharjah the capital of his kingdom and appointed his son, Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan, as his deputy in Ras Al Khaimah. He ordered his brother, Sheikh Saleh bin Saqr, to build the government's headquarters, which was Sharjah Fort. For forty-five years, the city of Sharjah forged its own biography, amidst coups and hostility towards the British. When the leader of Al Qawasim, the late Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, passed away on April 20, 1866 CE