|
|
Said ibn Taimur
Arabic: sa¢īd bni taymūr
(1911-1972) Sultan of Oman 1932-1970.
Said was a very conservative ruler, holding Oman back from most contemporary advances. He prevented the introduction of patent medicine, trousers, radio, books and spectacles. His conservative policy also involved public executions and slavery of people of African descent.
His policy was initially a reaction towards the extravagance of his father, Sultan Taimur, who had almost ruined the country. Although bringing the expenses under control, his policy would create few new revenues.
Said would eventually become very unpopular for his extremely conservative line, and was eventually removed from power by his son, Qaboos ibn Said.
Biography
1911: Born in Musqat, as son of Sultan Taimur.
1932: As Sultan Taimur is dethroned by the British, Said becomes new sultan. At this point, the country is divided and almost bankrupt.
1937: Gives an oil concession to the national Petroleum Concessions company.
1951: Saudi Arabia takes control over part of the Buraymi Oasis.
1954: The Imamate of Oman is declared by Imam Ghalib ibn Ali, operating out of Nizwa in the Hajar Mountains.
1955: Gets help from British forces, to destroy the imamate of Ghalib and Saudi control over the occupies parts of Buraymi.
1957: Imam Ghalib's brother, Talib establishes a new imamate in the mountains northwest of Nizwa. Said gets hekp from British troops, and this involvement leads to strong international reactions, and eventually to an Arab call for the end of British colonial presence in Oman.
1958: Said withdraws to his palace in Salalah, and British civil servants take control of the administration of the country.
1959: The rebellion in the interior of the country is finally crushed by British forces.
1964: Oil is discovered in the interior of Oman, but Said did little to help exploiting the resources, and insisted that these funds should only be used on the defence of the country.
1960's: With limited oil revenues compared to neighbouring Arab countries, Said and his policy becomes increasingly unpopular.
1965: Calls his son, Crown Prince Qaboos home and puts him in house arrest. But Qaboos was allowed contact with certain British visitors, with whom he cooperates on planning a coup against his father, the sultan.
1970 July 23: Coup by Qaboos against his father, with the assistance by Omani military and British advisers. Said moves to Dorchester, UK.
1972: Said dies in Dorchester. His coffin is not sent home to Oman, and he is buried in Woking, UK.
© Copyright 1996-2009 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
|
|
|
