The Tanûkhids ( Arabic : التنوخيون , romanized : al-Tanūḫiyyūn ), Tanukh ( Arabic : تنوخ , romanized : Tanūḫ ), or Banū Tanūkh ( بنو تنوخ , romanized as: Banū Tanūḫ ) were a confederation of Arab tribes, sometimes characterized as Saracens . They first rose to prominence in northern Arabia and southern Syria in the 2nd century CE. Both Lakhmid and Tanukhid inscriptions have been found at Umm el-Jimal in Jordan and Namara in Syria. The ancient Tanukh tribal confederation was largely taken over by several branches of the large Azd and Quda'a tribes. Their main base during the time of their most famous ruler, Queen Mavia , was in Aleppo . During the 8th and 9th centuries, the Tanukhid strongholds were the cities of Qinnasrin and Maarat al-Numan .
54-491: In the late 2nd century, a branch of the tribe of Azd, from Southern Arabia, migrated to al-Hasa where Tanukhids were settling. The Azdies allied with the Tanukhids, becoming part of the confederation. The two sheikhs (tribal leaders) gave up the rule to Malik ibn Fahm (196–231), who led them into what is now Iraq and Syria, and after skirmishing with other tribes in the area, he controlled all of Jordan, and parts of Iraq, he
108-460: A century earlier. They are reported to have been devoted to Christianity , Thomas the Apostle and monasticism , with many monasteries associated with the tribe. In 378, their Queen Mavia led them in a revolt against Emperor Valens . A truce was struck and was respected for a time, with Mavia even sending a fleet of cavalry in response to Roman requests for assistance in staving off an attack by
162-558: A crossing for them to the Fertile Crescent . In addition to that, is that it is serves a commercial importance as it is a crossroads of several trade routes linking the Arabian Peninsula with Persia and India through the port of Uqair and the port of Qatif . In terms of agricultural importance, Al-Ahsa is of great importance since its area is made up of fertile lands and contains abundant water sources. It
216-498: A delegation to him carrying a large gift of gold and precious stones. So Antiochus accepted the gift And he closed back to his country, and perhaps the barren desert and the adventure of the trip was the main reason that convinced the Seleucid king to return from his determination. Al-Ahsa then became a part of a city belonging to the territory of Bahrain at that time, located between Ras Al-Qara mountain, Abu Hasis mountain, and
270-598: A has been inhabited since prehistoric times because of its abundance of water in an otherwise arid region. Natural fresh-water springs have surfaced at oases in the region for millennia, encouraging human habitation and agricultural efforts (date palm cultivation especially) since prehistoric times. The oasis region and specifically the name Hajar (also Hagar, Haǧar) may be related to the Ancient Near East toponym Agarum , mentioned in Dilmunite inscriptions as
324-433: A landscape of accumulated sand with an impermeable layer underneath. When rain falls onto such a landscape, the water soaks through the sand (which prevents it from evaporating) and is retained by the impermeable base layer, forming an aquifer. Wells drilled into the earth can then provide access to a cool spring. The area used to be called Pit-Ardashir ( Classical Syriac : ܦܝܛܐܪܕܫܝܪ ) by Assyrians and Persians. Al-Ahsa
378-541: A region that is otherwise sand desert. The oasis became a World Heritage site in 2018. It has also been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network since December 2015. According to one author, the oases of Al-Ahsa and Al Ain (in the U.A.E. , on the border with Oman ) are the most important in the Gulf region. Al-Ahsa is the plural form of "Al-Ḥisā" ( Arabic : ٱلْحِسَى ) which refers to
432-517: A year, make Al-Ahsa one of the major food producers for the kingdom. Manufacturing—both the traditional small-scale cottage industry kind (e.g. the traditional mislah mantle and pottery) and large-scale industries such as cement and plastics—has also been strongly encouraged. Al-Ahsa International Airport (IATA: HOF) is the city's main airport. The airport is located 25 km from the city center and serves weekly local flights to Jeddah , Al-Medina and international flights to Dubai . The city
486-541: Is a large area where a lot of villages and small towns are located. The villages are normally grouped into two main groups according to their relative location to the oasis. Although the villages lack big markets and/or hospitals, there are few good polyclinics and small markets. You can find small bank branches and automated teller machines in many villages. Recently there have been a great improvement in road maintenance and re-construction of some main roads between villages and cities. Al-Ahsa has about 50 villages, following
540-438: Is a list of some according to their location: Here is an incomplete list (population in 1997): Here is an incomplete list: Here is an incomplete list: Al-Ahsa has a dry, tropical climate, with a five-month summer and a relatively cold winter. It enjoys the benefit of copious reserves of underground water which has allowed the area to develop its agricultural potential. Nevertheless, Al-Ahsa has to deal with tons of sand which
594-610: Is believed to have been forced upon them by al-Mahdi. In the 11th century, the Tanukhids of Mount Lebanon inaugurated the Druze community in Lebanon , when most of them accepted and adopted the new message, due to their leadership's close ties with then Fatimid caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah . In the 14th century, the central parts of Mount Lebanon were described as a Tanukhid stronghold, housing both Druze and Shiite Muslims. Members of
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#1732780775455648-578: Is clear, however, that the Tanukhids played a key role in the defeat of Zenobia 's forces by Emperor Aurelian . In the 4th century AD, the Tanukhids became the first Arab tribe to serve as foederati (allies) in the Roman East . Their territory spanned from Syria in the north to the Gulf of Aqaba , areas into which they had migrated from southern Arabia after the rise of Sassanian influence in Yemen
702-604: Is home to the largest conventional oil field in the world, the Ghawar Field . Al-Ahsa is known for its palm trees and date palms. Al-Ahsa has over 2.5 million palm trees which produce over 100,000 tons of dates every year. The oasis is a popular tourist destination for Qatari nationals, who would make the 160-km cross-border drive to visit local attractions, as well as to find bargains for food, spices and clothing in Al-Ahsa's bazaars. Economic ties were severely disrupted by
756-863: Is known that the Phoenicians are one of the branches of the Canaanites . The Canaanites moved from the Gulf coast to the Mediterranean coast and settled in Lebanon , Syria and Palestine , carrying with them the names of their cities such as Tyre, Arwad, Byblos and others. Following the migration of the Canaanites from the Al-Ahsa coast, the Jerhaites, a branch of the Chaldeans, settled in their place. Their description of their city came from
810-602: Is located about 60 mi (97 km) inland from the Arabian Gulf . All urban areas are located in the traditional oasis of Al-Hasa. In addition to the oasis, the county also includes the giant Empty Quarter desert, making it the largest governorate in Saudi Arabia in terms of area. The Empty Quarter has the world's largest oil fields , and connects Saudi Arabia to Qatar , the UAE, and Oman. The Governorate's population
864-476: Is over 1,100,000 (2010 estimate ). In the past, Al-Ahsa belonged to the historical region known as Bahrain , along with Qatif and the present-day Bahrain islands . One campus of a major Saudi university, King Faisal University , founded in 1975, is located in Al-Ahsa with the faculties of agriculture, veterinary medicine and animal resources. The Hofuf campus also has facilities where Saudi women can study medicine, dentistry and home economics. A large branch of
918-446: Is part of the region known historically for its high skill in tailoring, especially in making bisht , a traditional men's cloak. Al-Ahsa was one of the few areas in the Arabian Peninsula in which rice was grown . In 1938, petroleum deposits were discovered near Dammam , resulting in the rapid modernization of the region. By the early 1960s, oil production levels reached 1 million barrels (160,000 m ) per day. Today, Al-Ahsa
972-420: Is served by a modern major highway system; Al-Ahsa / Riyadh highway; that links the city to KSA central region. Al-Ahsa / Dammam highway; that links the city to the rest of KSA eastern region and Kuwait. Al-Ahsa / Abu Dhabi highway; that links the city to UAE and Oman. The city has a railway station connecting the city with the capital Riyadh to the west and Dammam to the north. The main charter bus company in
1026-586: Is the largest governorate in Saudi Arabia 's Eastern Province , named after the Al-Ahsa Oasis . In Classical Arabic , 'Ahsa' means the sound of water underground. It has one of the largest oases in the world with world-renowned date palms and, according to one author, the oases of Al-Hasa and Al Ain (in the UAE , on the border with Oman ) are the most important in the Arabian Peninsula . The oasis
1080-458: The Goths . The alliance crumbled under Theodosius I , with the Tanukhids again revolting against Roman rule. The Tanukhids were Christianised in the 3rd or 4th centuries, likely while in the eastern half of the fertile crescent , and by the 4th century they were described as having a "fanatic zeal for Christianity" and were "zealous Christian soldiers" in the 6th century. In the 7th century, during
1134-753: The Jarwanids . 1440: The Jabrids take over Al-Ahsa, Qatif, Bahrain , and Kish Island , and extend their influence to eastern Nejd . 1521: Jabrid kingdom falls to the Muntafiq tribe of southern Iraq , who rule Al-Ahsa on behalf of the Ottoman Empire . The Ottomans station their garrisons in the region. 1670: the Ottomans are expelled by the tribe of Banu Khalid , who make their capital in Al-Mubarraz . 1795: Conquered by Saudi troops during
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#17327807754551188-622: The Levant , the Hijaz , Iraq and India . The inhabitants of those countries were among the richest peoples of the island. Their wealth was gold and silver, which stirred greed. At the same time, the Seleucid king Antiochus III led his fleet in 205 BC. He crossed the Tigris , heading to it to seize its treasures, but its people, fearing them for their city and out of their love for peace and in order to preserve their freedom that they cherished, sent
1242-769: The Muslim conquest of the Levant , the Tanukhids fought with the Romans against the Muslims, including in the Battle of Yarmouk . After Yarmouk, their status as foederati ended. They were described as an "autonomous Christian community in Bilad al-Sham " up until the reign of the Abbasid caliph al-Mahdi ( r. 775–785 ), after which they appear as Muslims. Their conversion to Islam
1296-582: The Qarmatian leader, Abu-Sa'id Jannabi , and is declared independent from the Abbasids of Baghdad. The capital is Al-Mu'miniya (near modern Hofuf). 1000: Al-Ahsa is among the 10 largest cities on earth, with 110,000 inhabitants. 1077: The Qarmatian state of Al-Ahsa is overthrown by the Uyunids . 1238: Usfurid dynasty takes over the region of Al-Ahsa and Al-Qatif . 1383: Usfurids are overthrown by
1350-610: The Qatar diplomatic crisis , which led to the closure of Saudi Arabia's land border with Qatar. With the crisis' resolution and border reopening in 2021, however, Qatari tourists have gradually returned to Al-Ahsa; albeit in smaller numbers, due to improved Qatari self-sufficiency in goods. A road between Oman and Saudi Arabia, through the vast Empty Quarter sand desert, was completed in September 2021. Between 700 and 800 kilometres (430 and 500 miles) long, it extends from Al-Ahsa to
1404-761: The Usfurids , followed by their relatives, the Jabrids , who became one of the most formidable powers in the region, retaking the islands of Bahrain from the princes of Hormuz . The last Jabrid ruler of Bahrain was Muqrin ibn Zamil . In 1521, the Portuguese Empire conquered the Awal Islands (the islands that comprise present day Bahrain) from the Jabrid ruler Muqrin ibn Zamil, who fell strongly in battle. The Jabrids struggled to maintain their position on
1458-573: The Awal Islands (the islands that comprise present-day Bahrain) from the Jabrid ruler Muqrin ibn Zamil. The Jabrids struggled to maintain their position on the mainland in the face of the Ottomans and their tribal allies, the Muntafiq . In 1550, Al-Ahsa and nearby Qatif came under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire with Sultan Suleiman I . Al-Ahsa was nominally the Eyalet of Lahsa in
1512-729: The British representative in Kuwait , had met with Ibn Saud to settle the border issue between Kuwait and Najd. The result of the meeting was the Uqair Protocol of 1922 , in which Britain recognized ibn Saud's sovereignty over territories claimed by the emir of Kuwait. Al-Ahsa was taken from the Ottomans in 1913, bringing the Al Sauds control of the Persian Gulf coast and what would become Saudi Arabia's vast oil reserves. Al-Ahsa
1566-527: The Greek traveler Strabo , who said about Al-Ahsa: "It was founded by Chaldean immigrants from Babylon in a swampy land, and it was built of salt stones, eighty thousand cubits away from the sword of the sea." The Greek historian Polybius also described Al-Ahsa as an important commercial center, one of the active markets in the Arab countries, and a crossroads for the caravan routes coming from southern Arabia,
1620-713: The Islamic call appeared, the Messenger Muhammad sent Al-Ala bin Abdullah Al-Hadrami in the seventh century AD corresponding to the eighth year of the Hijri to invite the people of Hejir to Islam , which they accepted. Eastern Arabia was conquered by the emerging Rashidun Caliphate during the 7th century . It was later inherited by the Umayyads and Abbasids . In 899 A.D., the region came under
1674-727: The Omani town of Ibri . The Omani side of the road measures approximately 160 km (99 miles), and the Saudi side 580 km (360 miles). Al-Ahsa has a hot desert climate ( Köppen Climate Classification : BWh ), with long, extremely hot summers and short, very mild winters. The oasis has a very low annual precipitation of 83.3 mm (3.28 in), but receives a small amount of rain in winter and spring. Al-Ahsa Governorate Al Ahsa ( Arabic : ٱلْأَحْسَاء , romanized : Al-Aḥsāʾ , locally pronounced Al-Ḥasāʾ ( Arabic : ٱلْحَسَاء )) also known as Hajar ( Arabic : هجر )
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1728-780: The Ottoman administrative system and was usually a vassal of the Sublime Porte . Qatif was later lost to the Portuguese. The Ottomans were expelled from Al-Ahsa in 1670, and the region came under the Banu Khalid Emirate . Al-Ahsa, along with Qatif, was incorporated into the Wahhabist Emirate of Diriyah in 1795 but returned to Ottoman control in 1818 with an invasion ordered by Muhammad Ali of Egypt . The Banu Khalid were again installed as rulers of
1782-530: The Qarmatian state of Al-Ahsa was overthrown by the Uyunids . Al-Ahsa subsequently fell under the rule of the Bahrani dynasty of the Usfurids , followed by their relatives, the Jabrids , who became one of the most formidable powers in the region, retaking the islands of Bahrain from the princes of Hormuz . The last Jabrid ruler of Bahrain was Muqrin ibn Zamil . In 1521, the Portuguese Empire conquered
1836-403: The Saudi side 580 km (360 miles). The Al-Ahsa region boasts over 30 million palm trees . The Ministry of Agriculture has set up a factory to process its rich output of dates, amounting to five tons daily. The governorate of Al-Ahsa has seven marakiz . They do not have any administrative functions, but can still be proclaimed as an administrative division. The marakiz are: Al-Ahsa
1890-543: The Tanukhids in Mount Lebanon include Al-Sayyid al-Tanukhi , a prominent 15th century Druze theologian and commentator; and Muhammad bin al-Muwaffaq al-Tanukhi, an emir and Shiite Muslim who lived in the 13th century. Al-Ahsa Oasis Al-Ahsa Oasis ( Arabic : الْأَحْسَاء , al-ʾAhsā ), also known as al-Ḥasāʾ ( الْحَسَاء ) or Hajar ( هَجَر ), is an oasis and historical region in eastern Saudi Arabia . Al-Ahsa Governorate , which makes up much of
1944-629: The case in the past during Ottoman ownerships. 1913: King Abdulaziz Al Saud conquers Al-Ahsa Oasis , annexing it into his Kingdom of Najd . (This is recognised in the Treaty of Sèvres signed in 1920 with the other official partitionings of the Ottoman Empire.) 1932: Al-Ahsa becomes part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , under the King Abdulaziz . 1930s: Huge petroleum deposits are discovered near Dammam , resulting in rapid modernization for
1998-488: The control of the Qarmatian leader, Abu Tahir al-Jannabi , and was declared independent from the Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad . Its capital was at al-Mu'miniya near modern Hofuf . By circa 1000, Al-Hasa became the 9th largest city worldwide supporting 100,000 inhabitants. In 1077, the Qarmatian state of Al-Ahsa was overthrown by the Uyunids . Al-Ahsa subsequently fell under the rule of the Bahrani dynasty of
2052-485: The country's Eastern Province , is named after it. The oasis is located about 60 km (37 miles) inland from the coast of the Persian Gulf . Al-Ahsa Oasis comprises four main cities and 22 villages. The cities include Al-Mubarraz and Al-Hofuf , two of the largest cities in Saudi Arabia. With an area of around 85.4 km (33.0 sq mi), Al-Ahsa Oasis is the largest oasis in the world. A large part of
2106-683: The formation of the First Saudi State . 1818: Reconquered by the Ottoman Empire by Ottoman Egyptian forces overthrowing the First Saudi State in the process and granting the local tribe of Banu Khalid self-rule. 1830: Comes under the control of the Second Saudi State . 1871: The Second Saudi Dynasty loses the region to the Ottoman Empire again; however, this time it is directly ruled from Baghdad instead of by tribe of Bani Khalid under self-rule has had been
2160-606: The kingdom, known as the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), offers trips both within the kingdom and to its neighboring countries. A road between Oman and Saudi Arabia, which goes through the Empty Quarter, was completed in September 2021. Measuring between 700 and 800 kilometres (430 and 500 miles) in total, it extends from Al-Ahsa to the Omani town of Ibri . The Omani side of the road measures approximately 160 km (99 miles), and
2214-469: The mainland in the face of the Ottomans and their tribal allies, the Muntafiq . In 1550, Al-Ahsa and nearby Qatif came under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire with Sultan Suleiman I . Al-Ahsa was nominally the Eyalet of Lahsa in the Ottoman administrative system, and was usually a vassal of the Porte. Qatif was later lost to the Portuguese. The Ottomans were expelled from Al-Ahsa in 1670, and
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2268-481: The northern part of Jabal al-Qarah in Al-Ahsa today a place now called the town of Al-Kawarij. The town was of importance to the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula, because of the port of Al-Uqair , which served as a link in bringing goods and exporting them to and from Persia , India , China , Africa and Mesopotamia .The port made it the great market for the central and eastern regions of it. When
2322-536: The oasis is located in the Empty Quarter , also referred to as Rub' al Khali in Arabic. This covers almost three-quarters of the land in the oasis, while residential areas constitute 18%. There are more than 2.5 million palm trees including date palms in the oasis, which is fed from a huge underground aquifer and irrigated by the flow of more than 280 artesian springs , allowing year-round agriculture in
2376-460: The original home of their chief deity Inzak . If so, Agarum probably referred to the mainland area of Arabia lying opposite Bahrain . According to the hypothesis, the Dilmun civilization originated at the oases of Eastern Arabia, but later relocated to the isle of Bahrain. This interpretation is not without criticism, however, and other sources place Agarum on the isle of Failaka . Eastern Arabia
2430-489: The private Arab Open University is also located in Al-Ahsa. The history of the formation of Al-Ahsa goes back to the beginning stages of human existence in oasis, which was started by the Shepherd Semites , and the subsequent migrations of the major Semitic tribes in the Arabian Peninsula to the north and east. Moreover, one of the first civilizations that appeared in Al-Ahsa was Phoenicia civilization. This
2484-556: The region but, in 1830 the Emirate of Nejd retook the region. Direct Ottoman rule was restored in 1871, and Al-Ahsa was placed first under Baghdad Vilayet and with Baghdad's subdivision Basra Vilayet in 1875. In 1913, ibn Saud , the founder of modern Saudi Arabia , annexed Al-Ahsa and Qatif into his domain of Najd . On 2 December 1922, Percy Cox officially notified Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Ahmad Al-Sabah that Kuwait's borders had been modified. Earlier that year, Major John More,
2538-430: The region came under the rule of the chiefs of Banu Khalid tribe. Al-Ahsa, along with Qatif, was incorporated into the Wahhabist Emirate of Diriyah in 1795, but returned to Ottoman control in 1818 with an invasion ordered by Muhammad Ali of Egypt . The Banu Khalid were again installed as rulers of the region but, in 1830, the Emirate of Nejd retook the region. Direct Ottoman rule was restored in 1871, and Al-Ahsa
2592-584: The region. Early 1960s: The oil fields in Al-Ahsa reach the production level of 1 million barrels per day. According to 2015 estimate, Al-Ahsa has over 1.3 million people. All local residents are Muslim, including both Shia and Sunnis . Over the centuries, residents of the oasis have included the Banu Abdul Qays , the Banu Uqayl , and the Bani Khalid . Oil production and agriculture are
2646-687: The two main economic activities of the Al-Ahsa. Al-Ahsa is the home of some of the richest oil fields in the world. Natural fresh-water springs have surfaced in the region for millennia, encouraging human habitation and agricultural efforts ( date palm cultivation especially) since prehistoric times. The Saudi Ministry of Agriculture established a factory to process its rich date harvest at the rate of five tons daily. Other components of its agricultural output include rice, corn, citrus, and other fruits. In addition, intensive livestock raising, involving thousands of sheep, goats, cattle and camels and more than 15 major poultry farms producing more than 100 million eggs
2700-407: The wind carries and deposits over the land. To counter this problem, the Kingdom has planted large barriers of trees to prevent the wind-borne sand from damaging inhabited and agricultural areas. One of the oldest mosques in Islam , Jawatha Mosque , is reputed to be found here, as well, and several historic remnants of Ottoman Turkish influence can be seen in buildings such as Qasr Ibrahim and
2754-450: Was conquered by the emerging Rashidun Caliphate during the 7th century. It was later inherited by the Umayyads and Abbasids . In 899 the region came under the control of the Qarmatian leader Abu Tahir al-Jannabi and was declared independent from the Abbasid Caliphate of Baghdad . Its capital was at al-Mu'miniya near modern Hofuf . By circa 1000, Al-Ahsa became the ninth largest city worldwide supporting 100,000 inhabitants. In 1077,
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#17327807754552808-456: Was determined by tombs that date back to five thousand years that were discovered on the coasts of Al-Ahsa and the neighboring island Bahrain . These are believed to be of Phoenician origin. Furthermore, the antiquities found in these tombs were later sent to the British Museum . Al-Ahsa had been inhabited since prehistoric times for its geographical and agricultural importance. An example of its geographical importance would be that it served as
2862-451: Was placed first under Baghdad Vilayet and with Baghdad's subdivision Basra Vilayet in 1875. In 1913, ibn Saud , the founder of modern Saudi Arabia , annexed Al-Ahsa and Qatif into his domain of Najd . Al-Ahsa has been inhabited since prehistoric times, due to its abundance of water. 627 CE : Muhammad orders the Third Raid on Banu Thalabah in Al-Taraf , now part of the Al-Ahsa governorate. 899: Al-Ahsa comes under control of
2916-509: Was succeeded by his brother 'Amr ibn Fahm who reigned for a short period, and after him Jadhima ibn Malik reigned (233–268). After Jadhima's death, he was succeeded by his sister's son 'Amr ibn Adi , a Lakhmid , because Jadhima had no sons, thus establishing the Lakhmid dynasty. Other Tanukhids settled in Syria. 'Amr ibn 'Adi is claimed in the Arab legends to have been the sole victor in the war against Zenobia 's Palmyrene Empire , but these myths "are probably an amalgam of fact and fiction." It
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