Qajar-Wahhabi War

War against the First Saudi State by the Qajar and Omani Empires

Qajar-Wahhabi War

Part of the Wahhabi expansionism and the Wahhabi War
| Date| 1812-1814

|

Location|

Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf

Result|  Qajar-Omani victory
Territorial
changes|  Reconquest of Muscat and Bahrain by Qajar-Omani forces
Belligerents
Qajar Iran
Omani Empire|

Emirate of Diriyah
Bani Bu Ali

* Allied Arabian tribes

Commanders and leaders
Fath-Ali Shah Qajar
Said bin Sultan|  Saud bin Abdulaziz
Mutlaq bin Muhammad Al-Mutairi  †
Strength
~5,000|  Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown|  Unknown

The Qajar-Wahhabi War, also known as Fath Ali Shah's Campaign Against the Wahhabis, was a war between the First Saudi State and the Qajar and Omani empires from 1812 to 1814, in response to Wahhabi expansionism in the Arabian Peninsula and the Wahhabi sack of Karbala.

## Background

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In 1802, when the Wahhabis sacked Karbala, where a large number of Shiites were massacred, and the shrine of Imam Husayn was greatly damaged, which angered many Muslims. After becoming the ruler of Oman, Said bin Sultan sought help from the Qajars. After long negotiations with Fath Ali Shah, he was able to persuade him to fight against the Wahhabis.

## Qajar campaigns to Arabia

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Fath Ali Shah ordered a large force of three thousand warriors to be assembled under the leadership of Saadi Khan. This force marched towards Barka and both sides agreed that Said bin Sultan would take command of the combined forces. Realising the threat posed by the collaboration between Said bin Sultan and the Qajar Shah, Saud bin Abdul Aziz sent an envoy to the Shah to establish friendly relations and prevent the expected expedition. Nevertheless, the Shah sided with Said bin Sultan and instructed Commander Saadi Khan to accompany Said bin Sultan on his return with three thousand Iranian cavalry. This force eventually reached Barka, and in early 1812. Said bin Sultan successfully retook the forts of Nakhal. Sheikh Muhammad bin Nasser al-Jabri went to al-Buraymi for help but found that Mutlaq al-Mutairi had already left. He pursued Mutlaq and urged him to join forces against the Iran-Umman coalition. Mutlaq rallied various tribes, including the Bani Bu Ali tribe from Oman. Meanwhile, Salem bin Sultan's forces and the Qajars, led by Saadi Khan, gathered in Izki.[1] The battle was fought near Izki and the Qajar-Uman alliance was defeated.[2][3] For the forces of Mutlaq al-Mutairi entered the village of Bani Rawaha in Wadi Samail. Samail Fortress was captured by the Wahhabis. Muttrah was looted and the Sultan of Oman was forced to pay annual tribute to the Imam of Diryah.[4][5] Although the Saudis won the battle of Izki, the Qajars were able to retake it later.[6] At the request of the Omanis, the Qajars arrived in Muscat and Bahrain, which were under Wahhabi siege, and defeated the Wahhabis.[7][8][9] Qajars consistently supported the defence of Oman against Wahhabi attacks. They maintained strategic control over key points such as Muscat and Bahrain. It was also of great importance to the Qajars as it helped them maintain their influence over the Persian Gulf. In 1818, the Ottoman siege and capture of Diriyah dealt a major blow to the Wahhabis and led to a major political setback.[10][11][12][13][14]

## References

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1. ^ Muhammad Mursi Abdullah. The Coastal Emirates, Oman, and the First Saudi State 1793-1818 . Vol. 1.pp. 218–219.
2. ^ إمارات الساحل وعُمان والدولة السعودية الأولى 1793-1818. ج. 1. محمد مرسي عبدالله.
3. ^ "الغزو الفارسي للخليج العربي" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-11-06.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
4. ^ معجم أمراء وحكام الجزيرة العربية. ص. 330. محمد بن دخيل العصيمي.
5. ^ إمارات الساحل وعُمان والدولة السعودية الأولى ص 219.
6. ^ "Kaçar-Vahhabi savaşları".
7. ^ History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, summary, pages 123-129.
8. ^ Naskh al-Tawarikh Qajar, volume 1, page 206.
9. ^ Khavari Shirazi, Tartkh-i Zn al-Qarnayn, Volume-1.
10. ^ A History of the Modern Middle East, Westview Press. Cleveland, William L. 2016.
11. ^ The Cambridge History of Islam, Cambridge University Press. P. M. Holt, Ann K. S. Lambton, and Bernard Lewis (eds.). 1970.
12. ^ The Persian Gulf in History, Palgrave Macmillan. Brown, David. 2009.
13. ^ The Rise of the Wahhabi Movement and its Impact on the Arabian Peninsula, Routledge. Abdullah, K. 2015.
14. ^ Wahhabism: A Critical Essay, Columbia University Press. Mikaberidze, Alexander. 2005.