Bahrain's Surviving Dynasty : The Al Khalifa's Rulership Struggles and Successions 1783-1932

This book provides valuable insights into how the Al Khalifa tribe of Bahrain managed to shape and maintain their patrimonial rule for over 240 years, ultimately emerging as one of the most prevailing and enduring royal families in the region today.

The Al Khalifa of Bahrain is a long-standing dynasty that has established dispute resolution measures to overcome intra-tribal ambitions for power and wealth, replacing extra-constitutional rulership succession with primogeniture. Since their control over Bahrain began in 1783 until the British withdrawal from the Gulf in 1971, the Al Khalifa introduced ten senior ruling shaykhs, seven of whom experienced turbulent successions, and faced in-house rivalries and power-seeking disputes. This book provides valuable insights into how the Al Khalifa tribe managed to shape and maintain their patrimonial rule for over 240 years, ultimately emerging as one of the most prevailing and enduring royal families in the region today. It delves into their strategies and tactics for overcoming local contexts, external challenges, and intra-tribal rivalries. The book is an essential read for anyone interested in the history and politics of Bahrain and the Gulf region.