The Old Amiri Palace, located in Doha, Qatar, previously served as the residence of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani during the early 20th century. It became defunct in 1923 when Abdullah bin Jassim shifted his seat of government to the then-abandoned Ottoman fort of Qal'at al-Askar. In 1972, it was decided that it would be converted into a museum, culminating in the Qatar National Museum.
In late 1871, the Qatar Peninsula fell under Ottoman control after Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, ruler of the peninsula, acquiesced to control in exchange for protection from the Sheikhs of Bahrain and Abu Dhabi and agreed to fly the Ottoman flag at his residence. In January 1872, Qatar was formally incorporated into the Ottoman Empire as a province in Najd with Sheikh Jassim being appointed its kaymakam (sub-governor). [1] Sheikh Jassim was allowed to continue presiding over most local affairs. Shortly after their arrival, the Ottomans established a permanent presence at Qal'at al-Askar, a fort built on a slightly elevated area in central Doha. As the de facto ruler, Sheikh Jassim established his headquarters at Fereej Al Salata, a seaside district that provided suitable harborage. [2]
Sheikh Jassim died in 1913 and Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani was to take up his mantle as the ruler of Qatar. The Ottomans withdrew from Qatar in 1915 and Qatar became a British protectorate in 1916; Sheikh Abdullah's ruling of the peninsula was recognized by the British. Throughout the end of Sheikh Jassim's and the beginning of Sheikh Abdullah's reign, the family palace frequently received upgrades and expansions. Finally, in 1923, Sheikh Abdullah decided to shift the seat of government to the now-abandoned Qal'at al-Askar, which eventually became known as the Amiri Diwan. [2] Almost 50 years later, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani began the process of converting the defunct palace into a museum, resulting in the establishment of the Qatar National Museum in 1975. [3]
As mentioned previously, the palace was continuously improved throughout the years with no defined master plan. In 2010, the following sections of the palace were identified: [4]
The history of Qatar spans from its first duration of human occupation to its formation as a modern state. Human occupation of Qatar dates back to 50,000 years ago, and Stone Age encampments and tools have been unearthed in the Arabian Peninsula. Mesopotamia was the first civilization to have a presence in the area during the Neolithic period, evidenced by the discovery of potsherds originating from the Ubaid period near coastal encampments.
The emir of the State of Qatar is the monarch and head of state of the country. The emir is also the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and guarantor of the Constitution. The emir holds the most powerful position in the country, and has a prominent role in foreign relations.
The House of Thani is the ruling family of Qatar, with origins tracing back to the Northern Arab Banu Tamim tribe. Today Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his mother Moza bint Nassir lead the house.
Al Wakrah is the capital city of the Al Wakrah Municipality in Qatar. Al Wakrah's eastern edge touches the shores of the Persian Gulf and Qatar's capital Doha is situated to the city's immediate north. Governed by Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, it was originally a small fishing and pearling village. Over the years, it evolved into a small city with a population of more than 80,000 and is currently one of Qatar's most populous cities.
Al Jasrah is a district in Qatar, located in the municipality of Ad Dawhah.
As Salatah is a district in Qatar, located in the municipality of Ad Dawhah. It is primarily a commercial district located near Hamad International Airport. In the 1970s, as part of a masterz plan for Doha prepared by Llewelyn Davies, the whole district was redeveloped in a push to modernize the cityscape. The Civil Aviation Authority and the National Museum of Qatar are located in the district.
Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, also known as "The Founder", was the founder of the State of Qatar. He had a total of 56 children, 19 sons and 37 daughters.
Abdullah bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, also known as Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani or Sheikh Abdullah bin Qassim Al Thani, was the Emir of Qatar. He was born in 1880 in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. He then abdicated in favour of his crown prince and second son, Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, in 1940. Sheikh Hamad died eight years later and Sheikh Abdullah assumed office once again until 1949, when he stepped down from office in favour for his eldest son, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani. Oil was also discovered for the first time during his rule.
Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah bin Jassim bin Muhammed Al Thani was Crown Prince of the State of Qatar. Sheikh Hamad was the second son of the second Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, and also the father of the fifth Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani, also known as Mohammed bin Thani bin Mohammed Al Thamir, was the first Hakim (ruler) of the whole Qatari Peninsula, officially being recognized by the British in September 1868 following a meeting with British representative Lewis Pelly. He is known for being the father of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, the founder of Qatar and who fended off the Ottoman army in the late 19th century.
Qatar was a British protectorate from 1916 till it gained independence on 3 September 1971. Until 1950, the country's postal service was administered by an Indian post office in Bahrain. A British office was opened in Doha and sold stamps of British Postal Agencies in Eastern Arabia until 1957 when overprinted British stamps were introduced. Qatar Post took responsibility for postal administration in May 1963 and joined the Universal Postal Union in January 1969. The first Qatari stamps were issued in 1961 and there was an independence issue in January 1972. Since then, Qatar Post has continued to manage the country's postal administration and to issue its stamps, which are mostly relevant to Qatar itself.
Qatar National Day is a national commemoration of Qatar's unification in 1878. It is celebrated annually on 18 December. The holiday was established by a 21 June 2007 decree of the then Crown Prince and Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. It is also known as Founder's Day.
Al Koot Fort most commonly known as the Doha Fort, is a historical military fortress located in the heart of Doha, Qatar's capital city. It was built in 1927 by Sheikh Abdulla bin Qassim Al Thani, better known as Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani, who ruled Qatar from 1913 until 1949, after Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, Sheikh Abdullah's brother, abdicated in favor of him. The fort was later converted into a museum.
Al Jemailiya is a town in the municipality of Al-Shahaniya, Qatar. It used to be the seat of Al Jemailiya Municipality before it was incorporated into Al Rayyan Municipality in 2004. In 2014, the town was incorporated into the newly created Al-Shahaniya Municipality. The town lies roughly 30 km north-west of the Al-Shahaniya Exit of Dukhan Highway. It has been designated a District Centre for Al-Shahaniya Municipality, meaning that it is being developed to serve the needs of nearby communities, such as Al Suwaihliya.
Ar Rakiyat Fort is a historical fort located in north-west Qatar, in the municipality of Al Shamal. It was constructed in the 19th century near the village of Ar Rakiyat to protect water sources in the area. It was used as a defensive structure for the villagers in times of conflict. It is considered to be one of the larger forts in Qatar.
Barahat Al Jufairi is a district named after the Al Jufairi tribe, a highly prominent family in Qatar. Barahat Al Jufairi is a city located in the municipality of Doha. Historically, it was used as a central marketplace.
Al Shagub is a district of Al Rayyan City in Qatar, located in the municipality of Al Rayyan. Since it houses the universities in Qatar Foundation's educational project Education City, the district is sometimes referred to as Education City. Qatar Foundation has played a major role in developing the district.
The Amiri Diwan of the State of Qatar is the sovereign body and the administrative office of the Amir. It is the official workplace and office of the Amir of the State of Qatar. The Amiri Diwan represents the figurative and bureaucratic center of Qatar. The building also hosts the office of the Deputy Amir and the Prime Minister.
The architecture of Qatar, similarly to other Persian Gulf nations, is strongly influenced by Islamic architecture. Qatari architecture has retained its Islamic essence, evident in the unadorned, humble designs of its mosques. This tradition extends to other buildings, which feature many decorative elements such as arches, niches, intricately carved plaster patterns, gypsum screens, and battlements atop walls and towers.
25°17′16.5″N51°32′53.9″E / 25.287917°N 51.548306°E
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