Sheikhdom of al-Hawra

The Sheikhdom of al-Hawra[note 1] (Arabic: Mashyakhat al-Hawra[1]) was a state of the Protectorate of South Arabia which existed from the 19th century to 1967.[2] It became a British protectorate in 1888.

Sheikhdom of al-Hawra[note 1]

Mashyakhat al-Hawra
19th century–1951
Hawra and surrounding polities in 1946.
Capitalal-Hawra
Religion
Islam
GovernmentSheikhdom
Sheikh 
• 1858 – 1895
`Abd Allah ibn Muhammad Ba Shahid (first)
• 1917 – 1951
Awad ibn Salih Ba Shahid (last)
History 
• Established
19th century
• British protectorate
1888
• Disestablished
1951
Population
• 1946
300
Today part ofYemen

History

Early history

The Sheikhdom of al-Hawra was established in the 19th century.[2] The first known Sheikh of al-Hawra was Abd Allah ibn Muhammad Ba Shahid, who ruled from circa 1858 to 1895.[1]

Theodore Bent's visit

Between 1893 and 1897, Theodore Bent, and his wife, Mabel Bent, undertook several expeditions into Southern Arabia. At one point, they visited the Sheikhdom of al-Hawra, where they described a large castle, belonging to the ruling Al Kaiti family, dominating a humble village. The castle, built out of sun-dried bricks, was seven stories high and covered roughly an acre (4 km2) of land, and prominently featured battlements, towers, and machicolations. Theodore and Mabel were welcomed by the Sultan, who requested a gift, which was given in the form of 20 Indian Rupees.[3]

British protectorate

Starting in 1888, the British Empire paid an annual stipend to al-Hawra, and a Protectorate Treaty was concluded with them in that year. In May 1895 Shaikh Abdulla bin Muhammad ba Shahid, the representative Shaikh, died. He was succeeded by Shaikh Said bin Abdulla ba Shahid who abdicated in February 1896, being succeeded by his brother, Shaikh Ahmed bin Abdulla. The latter died in March 1900, and was succeeded by Shaikh Saleh bin Awadh.[4]

A revised Protectorate Treaty was concluded with the latter in April 1902, when his stipend was increased from 50 to 180 dollars.[4]

On the 6th October 1917 Shaikh Salih bin Awadh died. He was succeeded by his son, Awadh bin Salih.[4]

End of the Sheikhdom

In c. 1951, al-Hawra was incorporated into Wahidi Balhaf.[1]

Rulers

The rulers of al-Hawra bore the title Shaykh al-Hawra.[1]

List of Sheiks
  1. `Abd Allah ibn Muhammad Ba Shahid, 1858? – 6 May 1895[1]
  2. Sa`if ibn `Abd Allah Ba Shahid, 1895 – February 1896[1]
  3. Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah Ba Shahid, February 1896 – 1 March 1900[1]
  4. Salih ibn `Awad Ba Shahid, March 1900 – 6 October 1917 (Interrupted in May 1904)[1]
  5. Awad ibn Salih Ba Shahid, October 1917 – 1951[1]

Graphical timeline

Demographics

In 1946, the Sheikhdom of al-Hawra had a population of 300.[5]

Geography

al-Hawra is a seaport about 12 miles from Irqa.[4] A report in 1946 described al-Hawra as a "small fishing village".[6]

Notes
  1. Also spelled Haura.

References
  1. "States of the Aden Protectorates". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
  2. "WHKMLA : History of Yemen". www.zum.de. Retrieved 2019-06-23. al-Hawra (19th c-1967)
  3. Bent, Mabel; Bent, Theodore (1900). Southern Arabia. BiblioBazaar. pp. 106, 107. ISBN 9780554298146.
  4. Aitchison, G (1931). A Collection Of Treaties, Engagements And Sanads Relating To India And Neighbouring Countries. xi. Government of India. p. 16. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. An Economic Survey of the Colonial Territories. H.M. Stationery Office. 1951. p. 134.
  6. Division, Great Britain Naval Intelligence (1946). Western Arabia and the Red Sea. Naval Intelligence Division. p. 147.
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