Emirate of Diriyah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emirate of Dir'iyah إِمَارَةُ الدِّرْعِيَّةِ  (Arabic)
1727–1818
Flag of the Emirate of Diriyah
Expansion of the Emirate of Diriyah from 1744 to 1814
Status	Emirate
Capital	Diriyah
Common languages	Arabic
Religion	Sunni Islam
Demonym(s)	Arabian
Emir
• 1727–1765	Muhammad I
• 1765–1803	Abdulaziz I
• 1803–1814	Saud II
History
• Diriyah Established	1727
• Diriyah Pact	1744
• Siege of Diriyah	1818
Currency	Diriyah Riyal
Preceded by Succeeded by Sheikhdom of Diriyah Hejaz Eyalet Bani Khalid Emirate Omani Empire Yemeni Zaidi State Egypt Eyalet Emirate of Nejd Mu'ammarid Imamate

The Emirate of Diriyah (Arabic: إِمَارَةُ الدِّرْعِيَّةِ), also known as the First Saudi State, was a powerful state in the Arabian Peninsula. It began in February 1727. In 1744, a very important agreement was made. The leader of Diriyah, Muhammad bin Saud, and a religious scholar, Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, formed an alliance. They wanted to unite the many small states in the Arabian Peninsula. This alliance helped the Emirate of Diriyah grow into a strong force.

History of the First Saudi State

How the State Began

The House of Saud, which was Muhammad bin Saud's family, quickly became very strong in Arabia. They first took control of Najd, a central region. Then, they expanded their power along the eastern coast. Their influence reached from Kuwait all the way to the northern parts of Oman.

The forces of Muhammad bin Saud also gained control over the highlands of 'Asir. Meanwhile, Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab encouraged people to join their cause. After many military actions, Muhammad bin Saud passed away in 1765. His son, Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad, then became the new leader.

In 1801, Saud's forces even captured the city of Karbala. This city was important to Shi'a Muslims. Abdulaziz was later assassinated in 1803.

Muhammad bin Abd Al Wahhab died in 1792. In 1803, Abdulaziz bin Muhammad's son, Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad bin Saud, sent his armies to take over the Hejaz region. The city of Ta'if was captured first. After that, the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina also came under their rule. This was a big challenge to the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans had controlled these holy cities since 1517.

The State's Decline

The Ottoman Empire wanted to stop the House of Saud's growing power. So, they asked Muhammad Ali Pasha, the powerful ruler of Egypt, to help. This led to a war between the Ottomans and the Saudis.

Muhammad Ali sent his troops by sea to the Hejaz region. His son, Ibrahim Pasha, then led the Ottoman forces into the heart of Nejd. They captured many towns one by one. Abdullah bin Saud, who was Saud's son and the new leader, could not stop them.

Finally, Ibrahim Pasha reached Diriyah, the Saudi capital. He surrounded the city for several months in what is known as the Siege of Diriyah. The city surrendered in the winter of 1818. Ibrahim Pasha then sent many members of the Al Saud family to Egypt and the Ottoman capital, Istanbul.

Abdullah bin Saud was later executed in Istanbul. This event marked the end of the First Saudi State. However, the religious movement and the remaining members of the Al Saud family did not give up. They later founded a Second Saudi State, which lasted until 1891. After that, they established a third state, Saudi Arabia, which the Al Saud family still rules today.

Leaders of the Emirate

Image of Abdullah bin Saud, one of the leaders.

Here are the main leaders of the First Saudi State:

• Emir Muhammad bin Saud (1727–1765)
• Emir Abdulaziz bin Muhammad (1765–1803)
• Emir Saud bin Abdulaziz (1803–1814)
• Emir Abdullah bin Saud (1814–1818)

See also

• Saudi Founding Day
• List of Sunni Muslim dynasties