History And Culture:

Oman’s rich history is older than 100,000 years; it is hailed as the oldest state of the Arab culture. In the year 1970 AD, Sultan Qaboos bin Said changed the name of the country to just ‘Oman’ from the previous name- Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. Before the coming of Islam religion during the 7th century, Oman was inhabited by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and other tribes who exploited Oman’s strategic location for their trade practices with the rest of the world. Throughout the coming centuries, Oman was divided between many dynasties, imamates, and foreign powers. However In 1154 AD, the Nabhani dynasty established their rule in Oman and continued ruling until 1470 AD. Portuguese colonizers took control of the area around Muscat from 1507 AD to 1650 AD. They had control over Oman’s strategically important trade routes to the east. The Turkish Ottoman Empire also ruled over Muscat from 1581 AD to 1888 AD. But neither the Portuguese nor the Ottomans had complete control over Oman and by the mid-17th century, indigenous tribes from Oman under the Imam’s leadership got rid of the Portuguese out from Muscat. After driving the Persian invaders out, the Al Said dynasty came to the throne of Oman in 1749 AD. Oman became a British Protectorate in 1891 AD