Description
Book SynopsisThis book reassesses the reign of Said bin Taymur, who was deposed by his son, Qabus bin Said, in a coup in July 1970. Contemporary historiography of the period of Said's rule (1932-1970) views Oman as medieval and isolationist; Qabus' later government is seen as progressive and enlightened, with his ascendancy to the throne often described as the 'rebirth of Oman' from its 'medieval slumber' into a thriving and prosperous Sultanate. This study refutes the prevailing view that Said's four-decade reign should be perceived as a place where time stood still. The author offers a critical look at the economic, political, social and cultural aspects of Oman during the reign of Said bin Taymur. The book mainly focuses on tribe-state relations, emphasizing their dynamic interaction, with particular attention paid to the relationships between the tribal groups. Uzi Rabi's book reinterprets a significant timescale in the modern history of the Arabian Peninsula and pre-oil societies, and will be essential reading for both students and scholars of Middle Eastern history, culture and society.
Table of ContentsIntroduction; Historical Structures in Oman; The Reign of Sa'id, 1932-1952; The Creation of the Unified Tribal State, 1955-1959; The Unified Tribal State, 1960-1964; Two Different Versions of the State; The Discovery of Oil and the Dhufar Rebellion; The End of the Unified Tribal State, November 1964-July 1970; Conclusion.
