Wahidi Balhaf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wahidi Sultanate of Balhaf in Hadhramaut
سلطنة الواحدي في بالحاف
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| State of the Federation of South Arabia | |||||||||
| 1830–1967 | |||||||||
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 Map of the Federation of South Arabia |
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| Capital | Balhaf | ||||||||
| • Type | Sultanate | ||||||||
| Historical era | 20th century | ||||||||
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• Established
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1830 | ||||||||
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• Disestablished
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1967 | ||||||||
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Wahidi Balhaf (Arabic: واحدي بالحاف) was a state in the past. It was also known as the Wahidi Sultanate of Balhaf in Hadhramaut. This state was part of the British Aden Protectorate.
Before becoming Wahidi Balhaf, it was part of the Federation of Arab Emirates of the South. Later, it joined the Federation of South Arabia. At that time, it was simply called Wahidi.
The capital city of Wahidi Balhaf was Balhaf. This city is located on the coast of the Gulf of Aden. The state also included the town of Azzan, which was once its own separate Wahidi Sultanate. Wahidi Balhaf stopped existing in 1967. This happened when the People's Republic of South Yemen was created. Today, this area is part of the country of Yemen.
History of Wahidi Balhaf
The original state, called the Wahidi Sultanate, started a long time ago. We don't know the exact date.
How the State Split and Joined
In 1830, the Wahidi Sultanate divided into four smaller states:
- Wahidi Sultanate of Ba´l Haf
- Wahidi Sultanate of `Azzan
- Wahidi Sultanate of Bi´r `Ali `Amaqin
- Wahidi Sultanate of Habban
Later, on May 4, 1881, the states of Ba´l Haf and `Azzan decided to join together.
Working with the British
In the late 1800s, the Wahidi Sultans wanted protection from other groups. They asked the British for help. They signed special agreements called Protectorate Treaties. These treaties meant the British would protect them. In return, the Sultans received money each year.
In 1888, the Sultans of Bir Ali and Balhaf signed these treaties. Sultan Muhsin bin Salih of Bir Ali and Sultan Hadi bin Salih of Balhaf each received 120 dollars annually.
Changes in Leadership
In 1892, Sultan Hadi bin Salih of Balhaf stepped down. His younger brother, Muhsin bin Salih, became the new Sultan. The British government agreed to this change and continued the payments.
In 1893, Sultan Muhsin bin Salih of Bir Ali passed away. Sultan Salih bin Ahmed took his place, and the payments continued. Around this time, Sultan Muhsin bin Salih of Balhaf caused some trouble. He was trying to work with other foreign powers. His own people drove him out of Habban.
Another Sultan, Salih bin Abdulla, was chosen as the Wahidi Sultan. However, he was afraid to raise the British flag. So, in November 1894, a small British force went to Balhaf. They brought Sultan Salih bin Abdulla to visit the British leader. They also took Husein bin Salih as a prisoner.
New Agreements and Challenges
In March 1895, Sultan Salih bin Abdulla signed a Protectorate Treaty. His yearly payment increased to 300 dollars. Husein bin Salih and Ahmed bin Salih were set free.
In 1896, the Sultan of Bir Ali signed an updated treaty. His payment went up to 360 dollars.
Around 1901, the Wahidi people asked for more British protection. They were worried about another group called the Qaiti. They also wanted Muhsin bin Salih, the former Sultan, to be recognized as a leader. But this request was not accepted.
In 1902, Muhsin bin Salih stole money from a Qaiti ship. The British sent a force to Balhaf. When Muhsin bin Salih did not return the money, the fort at Balhaf was destroyed. The port was closed to all ships.
Muhsin bin Salih eventually returned the money. In December 1904, he came to the British and apologized. He was forgiven. He was then recognized as the Sultan of Wahidi Balhaf. This happened because Sultan Salih bin Abdulla had not been a strong ruler.
Later Years and End of the Sultanate
In 1910, an agreement was made between Sultan Muhsin bin Salih and Sultan Ghalib bin Umar of the Qaiti. This agreement allowed the Qaiti to use Wahidi territory for travel and trade. However, this agreement was never really used.
In 1919, Sultan Muhsin passed away. His younger son, Ali bin Muhsin bin Salih, became the new Sultan.
In 1930, Sultan Ali bin Muhsin became unwell. His brother, Abdulla, took over his duties.
On October 23, 1962, the combined sultanate was officially renamed the Wahidi Sultanate. The areas of Bi´r `Ali and Habban remained as smaller sultanates under it.
Finally, on November 29, 1967, all these states were ended. This happened when the People's Republic of South Yemen became independent.
Rulers of Wahidi Balhaf
The leaders of these states were called Sultans.
Wahidi Sultanate of Ba´l Haf (before 1830)
The Sultans had the title Sultan al-Wahidi.
Sultans
- c.1640 - 1670 Salih ibn Nasir al-Wahidi
- c.1670 - 1706 al-Hadi ibn Salih al-Wahidi
- 1706 - 1766 al-Hasan ibn al-Hadi al-Wahidi
- 1766 - 1771 al-Husayn ibn al-Hasan al-Wahidi
- 1771 - 1771 Sa`id ibn al-Hasan al-Wahidi
- 1771 - 1810 Ahmad ibn al-Hadi al-Wahidi
- 1810 - 1830 `Abd Allah ibn Ahmad al-Wahidi
Wahidi Sultanate of Ba´l Haf (after 1830 split)
The Sultans had the title Sultan Ba al-Haf al-Wahidi.
Sultans
- .... - .... Nasir ibn `Abd Allah
- .... - .... Ahmad ibn Nasir
- .... - .... Muhsin ibn `Ali
- .... - .... al-Husayn ibn `Abd Allah
- .... - .... `Abd Allah ibn al-Husayn
- .... - 1877 Ahmad ibn al-Husayn al-Wahidi
- 1877 - 1881 Salih ibn Ahmad
- 1881 - 4 May 1881 `Umar ibn al-Husayn al-Wahidi
Wahidi Sultanate of `Azzan
The Sultans had the title Sultan `Azzan al-Wahidi.
Sultans
- 1830 - 18.. `Ali ibn Ahmad al-Wahidi
- 1850 - 1870 Muhsin ibn `Ali al-Wahidi
- 1870 - May 1881 `Abd Allah ibn `Umar al-Wahidi
Wahidi Sultanate of Ba´l Haf and `Azzan (later Wahidi Sultanate)
The Sultans had the title Sultan Ba al-Haf wa `Azzan al-Wahidi. After October 23, 1962, the title became Sultan al-Saltana al-Wahidiyya.
Sultans
- May 1881 - Jan 1885 `Abd Allah ibn `Umar
- 15 Jan 1885 - 1892 al-Hadi ibn Salih al-Wahidi
- Ju 1892 - 1893 Muhsin ibn Salih al-Wahidi (1st time)
- 1893 - 1904 Salih ibn `Abd Allah al-Wahidi
- 14 Dec 1904 - Jan 1919 Muhsin ibn Salih al-Wahidi (2nd time)
- Jan 1919 - 1948 `Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Wahidi
- 1948 - 1948 `Ali ibn Muhsin al-Wahidi (uncertain)
- 1948 - 19 Feb 1967 Nasir ibn `Abd Allah al-Wahidi
Regent (title Hakim)
- 20 Feb 1967 - Aug 1967 `Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Sa`id al-Wahidi
See also
