The country of Oman has an extremely rich historical and cultural background. The landscape is dominated by castles, defensive towers, fortifications, and other ancient architecture. The region's buildings were influenced by the various religions and empires that occupied it. Consequently, with a knowledge of Oman's ruling powers, not only can we understand how the architecture of the region was developed, but also understand the history of individual structures. In investigating t
he history of Oman, a clear relationship between the evolution of Nakhl fort and Omani rule is apparent and therefore understanding the basic history of Oman becomes helpful in understanding the context in which Nakhl fort came to be as it is today.
Although the history of Oman goes as far back as 6000 B.C., very little is known about the region during that time. The first known fort was built in the Dhofar region of Oman sometime between 2500 and 1300 B.C. beside a spring. It was during this time that Naram-Sin ruled Akkad and campaigned against the region of Magan, present-day Oman. As far back as 4000 years ago, forts were integral for survival in the area, located near water, they protected the primary source of life for the people, and acted as defensive structures against enemies moving into the area.
Morphology and Location of Forts in Oman
The Magan region was ruled by the Persians up until the introduction of Islam. By around 1000 B.C., the Persians developed an irrigation system known as falaj which was used in the area for over 2000 years. Intricate systems directed water from aquifers in the Hijar mountains to the surrounding area. The same system was implemented in Nakhl in the 3rd century A.D., and was instrumental in allowing settlements and life to flourish in the harsh arid climate of the region.
Around about 630 A.D. Amr Ibn al-As arrived in Oman bearing a message from the Prophet Mohammed for the Omanis to accept Islam, establishing Arabic rule. Just over 100 years later, Oman was under the rule of an elected Islamic Ibadite imam out of a vision to create a true and ideal Muslim state. After the death of the first imam a period of turmoil broke out until 801, when Warith bin Kaab was elected Imam and Oman experienced a significant period of peace, stability, and prosperity, lasting until the 10th century. It was during this period of prosperity that Nakhl fort was first fully restored.
This period of peace was disrupted in 1154 when Banu Nabhan overthrew the elective theocracy and established a dynasty of hereditary kings. Nakhl was destroyed sometime during the Nabhanite dynasty and a new fort was built on the same site, atop the ruins of the original fort during in 1331.
In 1507, the Portuguese, led by navigator Alfonso d'Albuquerque sacked and captured the coastal city of Muscat. The Portuguese assumed control of the surrounding region, which included Nakhl, and opened their trade to India. In the same year, the wealthy Portuguese rulers restored and expanded Nakhl. The introduction of the cannon during this time caused a significant evolution in fort design. Sprawling, low-towered forts with thin walls were replaced by thicker walls, fewer, more elevated towers, and relatively square or rectilinear layouts. The fort at Nakhl, with its countless renovations and expansions, adopted these new defensive changes. The walls of these forts were built thick enough to withstand constant cannon bombardment, and musket holes along the ramparts kept the defenders safe while firing at enemy troops. The newer forts of Oman, like the one located in Hazm (1714 A.D.) completely abandoned the east-west orientation originally utilized to minimize sun exposure. They opted for a square layout, with only two towers at diagonally opposite corners. These towers provided an elevated base for the cannons, giving them extra range. As well, the compact design was more easily defended from an enemy force, contrasted with the many kilometers of rolling walls and ramparts of forts such as Bahla. The idea of the fort always dealt primarily with security above the idea of comfort and with each new culture and technological innovation, the forts of Oman reacted and evolved in order to provide protection, security, and control of the surrounding areas.
As the Portuguese reaped the benefits of Oman's central trade location, Nakhl was once again expanded in 1551. It wasn't until 1650 that Sultan bin Saif al-Yarubi expelled the Portuguese from Muscat, recaptured the city and extended the conflict along the coast. His son, Saif bin Sultan continued the battle into Portuguese-controlled land along the East coast of Africa. During the battle against the ruling Portuguese, Nakhl was once again destroyed, but following its recapture, Oman experienced a period of renaissance, which accumulated fortune at home and abroad, and united the country. During this time, many castles and important Omani forts were built. Among them was Nizwa fort, built 150 kilometres southwest of Muscat between 1670 and 1680. The fort at Nakhl was rebuilt, once again on the ruins of the former fort. It now served as a trade post, overlooking the newly established route between Nizwa and Muscat, and it protected the trade from thieves.
Oman benefited from its expansion into Portuguese-ruled Africa into the early 1900s. Acquiring the city of Zanzibar in Tanzania, Sayyid Said bin Sultan made his permanent residence there, and even made it Oman's capital for a period of time. African slaves were brought into Oman to work on buildings. The fort at Nakhl was restored and received slight alterations, such as the construction of an elaborate entrance in the late 1800s.
Between the British-forced abolition of slavery in 1907 and the First World, Oman's economy began to perish. The economy did not improve until 1967 when significant oil reserves were discovered. When Sultan Qaboos bin Said came into power in 1970, he was properly equipped to begin a modernization and liberalization programme in Oman. This was the beginning of a great new era for the country that saw the renewal of Oman's historic glories, and began a social and economic progress throughout the land. This era, which continues to this day, saw the restoration of Nakhl in 1990.
Nakhl was very much a product of the historical context it existed in. The fort evolved through time, experiencing the rule of various empires, going through countless invasions, and growing as the region prospered. It is evident that the idea of the fort was a central concept in Omani life. During times when the economy thrived, the fort was strengthened, renovated, or restored as it represented the lifeblood of the surrounding area. Consequently, for the exact same reason, the fort was the central area of conflict during invasions, rebellions and civil wars. Throughout history, the fort was a symbol of survival.
- Suhaib Bhatti and Andrew Winters
Information Citations:
http://www.arab.de/arabinfo/omanhis.htm
(accessed January 7 2010).
http://www.omaninfo.com/oman/history.asp
(accessed January 5 2010).
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