Volume 8 • Number 17 • June 2017 ISSN 1729-9039 · like Sheikh Abu Al Khayaz from mainland Persia,8 and Mohamed Al Khayar, as mentioned in another source.9 A raconteur who studied

Volume 8 bull Number 17 bull June 2017ISSN 1729-9039

LiwaJournal of the National Archives

Editor-In-ChiefDr Abdulla M Al Raisi

Director General of the National Archives

Deputy Editor-In-ChiefMajid Sultan Al Mehairi

Managing EditorDr L Usra Soffan

Editorial BoardDr Jayanti Maitra

Farhan Al MarzooqiSaeed Al Suwaidi

Gregory Keith Iverson PhD

Editorial SecretaryNouf Salem Al Junaibi

Design amp LayoutMakkai Noordheen

National Archives 2017 copyAbu Dhabi United Arab Emirates

The Editor of the Liwa Journal (ISSN 1729-9039) invites the submission of original and unpublished scholarly articles in English and Arabic related to archaeology history andheritage of the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region

Manuscripts and all other correspondences concerning lsquoLiwarsquo should be addressed to liwanaae

Books sent for review in the Journal cannot be returned

For more details about lsquoLiwarsquo and subscriptions access wwwnaae

The views expressed in this issue are those of the individual authors and do not necessarilyreflect the views of the Editorial Board or the National Archives

Printed in the National Archives Printing Press

1

Volume 8 bull Number 17 bull June 2017


32

Contents

Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (1906-1977)

Shamsa Hamad Al Abd Al DhaheriResearcher Zayed Centre for Studies and Research

3

Establishment of Electrical Services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Prior to the Formation of the UAE

Aisha Saeed Al QaidiResearcher

25

3

Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (1906-1977)Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi

Shamsa Hamad Al Abd Al Dhaheri

Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Bin Khalifa Bin Shakhbut Bin Dhiyab Bin Issa Bin Nahyan Bin Falah the first to hold the office of Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966 was well known for his extraordinary benevolence and contribution to and understanding of the welfare of the region in general and the Abu Dhabi community in particular This was very evident early on from the days of his father Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed the ninth ruler of Abu Dhabi (1922-1926) to the reign of his younger brother Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1966-2004) who is credited with recognizing his brotherrsquos immense value

Sheikh Khalid joined ranks with Sheikh Zayed in putting the wheels of development in motion in all aspects of life in their state to meet the needs of both the individual and society The oases of the Western Region benefited considerably from their efforts This was good news for Abu Dhabi especially the introduction of the concept of artesian wells in ldquoSeeh Al Damrdquo Numerous wells were sunk and water pumps were brought in Staff in the Finance Department were instructed to accept payment in instalments to make it easier for the landowners and to enable them all to cultivate their land As a result life in that region was transformed beyond recognition Medical and educational centers were established The Emirate was fortunate enough to benefit from Sheikh Khalidrsquos decision to adopt the Abu Dhabi government agricultural pilot project in one of his personal Al Ain gardens which set the stage for the establishment of an agricultural equipment research center to improve and produce the best crops of fruits vegetables and ornamental plants and trees More important was the establishment of a training school for the management and maintenance of agricultural equipment to serve as a nucleus for training agricultural advisors and to spread agricultural knowledge among farmers

The goal of this paper is to provide a personal profile of Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Nahyan his status accomplishments and his ability in facing the countless challenges and significant events through the various historical stages that Abu Dhabi went through This research is based on a comprehensive and thorough examination of available foreign archival records indigenous oral history accounts of Sheikh Khalidrsquos personality and his contributions to the social economic and political developments in Abu Dhabi and on the personal observations recorded by Westerners who knew him and had the opportunity of witnessing at close range his multifarious achievements


54

Date of Birth and Upbringing

As regards Sheikh Khalidrsquos date of birth opinions vary According to British sources it appears that he was born in 1906 as the Residency Agent in Sharjah Issa Bin Abdul Latif (1919-1935) mentioned in a report in 1934 that ldquohe is a 28-29 year old manrdquo1 The English writer Claude Morris in his well-known book ldquoThe Desert Falconrdquo mentioned a date of birth which made Sheikh Khalid a few years younger He writes ldquoSheikh Khalid was 62 years old in 1974rdquo Thus according to Morris he was born in 19122 However in the same book the author states that Sheikh Khalid was 13 years old when his father died in 1926 That would mean he was born in 19133 It is likely that Sheikh Khalid was born in the area of Jawarsquo in the village of Mujib where his father had his date palm orchards4 However it cannot be confirmed that it was he and not his brother Hazza who was born in that location west of Abu Dhabi5 Sheikh Khalid had four siblings the eldest being Shakhbut followed by Hazzarsquo Zayed and their sister Maryam Khalid was born after Hazzarsquo

Information about Khalidrsquos childhood and youth is very scarce He was brought up under the personal care of his mother Sheikha Salama Bint Buti a woman of great

Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Nahyan within the walls of Qasr Al Hosn1955 copy BP plc


5

power and influence in Abu Dhabi6 His father Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed was a very brave and religious man During those days Abu Dhabi was not a barren desert but a political and cultural entity enlivened by the presence of religious scholars learned men and dignitaries from various walks of life Thanks to his father as a young man Sheikh Khalid was encouraged to associate with them He was schooled in the teachings of the Quran and became well-versed in Arab-Islamic culture and heritage As Abu Dhabi merchants were instrumental in bringing religious scholars from Al Hasa Rustaq Persia and Mauritania7 schools were built and education took its rightful place among the people Sheikh Khalid and his elder brother Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Sultan joined a school in Abu Dhabi to study under learned men like Sheikh Abu Al Khayaz from mainland Persia8 and Mohamed Al Khayar as mentioned in another source9 A raconteur who studied with Sheikh Khalid in an Abu Dhabi School recollects ldquoI studied here in Abu Dhabi with Sheikhs Shakhbut Hazzarsquo Khalid and their sister Maryam under Sayed Aqil Al Farsi a Sharif who was a judge and imam of the Al Seer mosquerdquo10

In his early life Sheikh Khalid had to confront difficult situations and numerous dangers due to political rivalries and family succession disputes After his father assumed power political disturbances broke out Fearing that his family was in danger Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed sent them to Al Ain oases on July 12 1962 He kept only Sheikh Khalid by his side in Abu Dhabi However soon the son was faced with a shocking incident in which his beloved father died and Khalid himself was badly wounded Consequently the family was split apart suddenly and unexpectedly11 His fatherrsquos death and the grievous injury that he himself had suffered on that occasion had a deep impact on his life

Khalid in ldquoDiwan Al Wejha Al Dhahabiyardquo

According to reports of the incident in which Sheikh Khalid was injured while accompanying his father a rumour circulated that Sheikh Khalid was seriously hurt and could die Under such a pretext the new Ruler Sheikh Saqr Bin Zayed (1926-1928) who was himself responsible for the death of Sheikh Khalidrsquos father wanted to take Khalid to treat his wounds12 However Khalaf Al Otaiba a prominent Abu Dhabi merchant called on a Bahraini doctor named Mohamad Mahmoud Bahzad who practised medicine in Bahrain Qatar and the Trucial Coast to treat Sheikh Khalid In his memoirs titled ldquoDiwan Al Wejha Al Dhahabiyardquo this doctor recounted his trip to Abu Dhabi and that he gave the necessary treatment to Sheikh Khalid13 He notes that Khalaf Al Otaiba was an elderly man around 95 years old who went to Dubai to personally meet him there Khalaf asked the doctor to accompany him to Abu Dhabi to treat Sheikh Khalid and one of his sons Bahzad readily obliged He first went back to Bahrain to fetch some necessary medicines then he joined Khalaf Al Otaiba in Abu Dhabi on the first of Dhu Hijjah 1344 H According to Dr Bahzadrsquos memoirs he stayed in Abu Dhabi for five months14


76

Such an ordeal had a powerful effect on Sheikh Khalid He spent nearly two years under the care of his motherrsquos family during which he received the best possible healthcare15 and was able to overcome his trauma once the situation in Abu Dhabi stabilized after his brother Sheikh Shakhbut assumed power in 1928 Sheikh Khalidrsquos marriage was arranged by his mother Sheikha Salama to a relative of hers and he became engaged to his maternal cousin Sheikha Moza Bint Butti16 Mrs Susan Hillyard the wife of ADMArsquos representative Tim Hillyard describes his wife as follows ldquoSheikh Khalid has a kind and pleasant wife whom he is proud ofrdquo17 Sheikh Khalid could not stay away from his mother and brothers Hence he and his young wife lived with his family in Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi in the eastern wing on the ground floor adjacent to that of his brother the Ruler Sheikh Shakhbut18 Sheikha Moza gave birth to Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikha Mahra in Qasr Al Hosn19 Sheikh Khalid preferred to spend summer with his wife and children in Al Ain after he built a palace in Al Muwaiji oasis near the palaces of his mother and brothers Shakhbut and Zayed20

In 1951 Sheikh Khalid and his wife moved out of Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi21 Elsewhere it is said that he moved out of Qasr Al Hosn in 1957 when Sheikh Shakhbut gave permission to his brothers Khalid and Hazzarsquo to each build a palace of their own near his22

Narain Asarpota an Indian expat who lived in Abu Dhabi for over fifty-seven years wrote in his memoirs about his long stay how he came to work in ADMA as an instructor and then became head of the purchasing department Later on Asarpota worked in the Private Department of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan23 He noted that ldquoin the early nineteen sixties Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan invited us to celebrate the opening of his palace on the corniche in the Al Khalidiya area of Abu Dhabirdquo24

The Values of Generosity and Kindness

Over the years British officials in the Gulf became increasingly aware of the importance and remarkable capabilities of certain influential personalities in running the political affairs of Abu Dhabi The first impression of all these officials as regards Sheikh Khalid was that they held a very high opinion of him which they expressed in most favorable terms in their formal correspondence They described him as an up and coming very well liked benevolent figure25 It is well established that generosity has long been a much valued Arab trait and one for which Sheikh Khalid was well known in modern times All Bedouin and others who converged on Abu Dhabi to meet the Sheikhs Rulers and British Political Agents had been guests of Sheikh Khalid at one time or another There are numerous accounts of his hospitality recounted by several Englishmen as well as local inhabitants The then Political Agent in Abu Dhabi Donald Hawley (1958-1961) was impressed by the banquets and


7

pleasurable gatherings always hosted by Sheikh Khalid in an atmosphere of friendship and warmth Hawley says ldquoOn the first evening I stayed at the Al Murabba Fort which is the guest house for the then Al Ain governor Sheikh Zayed Sheikh Khalid did not only send a traditional dinner meal but turned up himself to dine with us I was thoroughly pleased by his actionhelliprdquo26 The Political Agent further describes the recurrent visits to them by Sheikh Khalid adding ldquoAnother time Sheikh Khalid attended the lunch banquet which he held for us and for two officers from Trucial Oman Scouts (TOS)hellipattended also by his brother Sheikh ZayedhellipI enjoyed their pleasant companyrdquo27

Mrs Susan Hillyard describes aptly in her memoirs the display of hospitality she watched every day during her stay in Abu Dhabi consisting of a variety of dishes which came out of the kitchen of Sheikh Khalidrsquos palace intended for households east of the Abu Dhabi souk and near the Hillyard residence Imagine as well seeing women who lived nearby leaving their homes when it was time to offer meals at Sheikh Khalidrsquos palace Each one would carry the biggest plate in her household and would head to the palace kitchenrdquo A couple of minutes later they would leave the palace putting the plates on the top of their heads and head back home They walk very carefully lest the boiled rice with sauce and meat fall off In one hand each held a piece of cloth containing fruits grains like rice or wheat etc while children are seen waiting anxiously for the food as if itrsquos a day of celebrationrdquo28 Moreover Susan refers in her memoirs to the competition between Sheikh Khalidrsquos kitchen and that of his brother Hazza from which meals were also distributed among households at the other end of the souk29

Mr Narain Asarpota who used to be a frequent guest of Sheikh Khalid says in his memoirs ldquoIn 1964 Sheikh Khalid sent us an invitation to celebrate the launch of a property of his in Al Khalidiya neighborhood in Abu Dhabi He had ordered from Bahrain three sets of anklets and gold bracelets for his family Out of affection and because we were very close to his family his wife Sheikha Moza asked my wife one day ldquoWhy you donrsquot wear ankletsrdquo My wife replied ldquoYou are right in fact I donrsquotrdquo When Sheikh Moza heard this she took off her anklets and gave them to my wife to wear them This kind gesture demonstrated the affection between my family and the ruling familyrdquo30

There is a consensus among storytellers who knew Sheikh Khalid well that he possessed a long list of noble and philanthropic traits One of those storytellers mentions his passion for good deeds generosity and benevolence He was a role model for affection and compassion And he always had a smile for everyone from the man who poured the coffee to rulers and tribal dignitaries31

Sheikh Khalid owned many camels and was proud of their qualities and breeds It appears that the culture of taking pride in possessing thoroughbred camels was well


98

established in the local community at that time Possessing specific breeds of rare camels was a source of delight and gratification for owners Khalid was an expert in camel anatomy from the head down to the neck their general shape and graceful gait One storyteller who used to attend Sheikh Khalidrsquos council in Al Ain recalls that he often called his attendants including a man named Shaiban and another named Ibn Maktoum and would request them ldquoShow me the she-camel from the side from the back and the front He was adroit at camel beauty and could tell a good camel from a bad onerdquo32

Internal Transformation

At a relatively young age being an observer rather than an active participant in events during the rule of his uncles and father Sheikh Khalid managed to master the art of diplomacy While he was in his twenties a new formula for government emerged as demonstrated in the participation of the brothers of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi in running the affairs of the Emirate since the nineteen thirties when Shakhbut his eldest brother took over the reins of government It ushered in a new phase characterized by wider collaboration among the members of the Al Nahyan family who assisted the Ruler in running the government33

The relationship between Sheikhs Shakhbut and Khalid was based on mutual respect and trust despite some differences of opinion regarding general policies Sheikh Shakhbut seldom took any significant action without first consulting Sheikh Khalid A letter written by the Political Agent in Bahrain in June 1935 described how close Sheikh Khalid was to Sheikh Shakhbut in conducting his administrative functions One such occasion that may be cited were the discussions that took place on board HMS Fowey between the Political Agent and his accompanying officers on the one hand and Sheikh Khalid and his brother Sheikh Shakhbut the Ruler on the other for building a fuel storage tank and a lighthouse in Abu Dhabi34

No sooner had his brother assumed power when companies began to approach the Ruler asking for oil exploration concessions Without going into the historical details of such concessions which were awarded between 1949 and 1952 and the great effect which drilling operations had in Abu Dhabi and which is also well documented35 it suffices to talk about Sheikh Khalidrsquos significant involvement in the awarding of these concessions in the Emirate at that time He was relied upon as one of the Rulerrsquos competent representatives on such concessions36 Along with his brother Sheikh Khalid Sheikh Shakhbut used to follow up the implementation of the exploration projects since the time of the launch of the drilling of the first test well in a small ceremony in Abu Dhabi Ronald Codrai tells us in his diaries dated February 16 1950 about that day ldquoA great day at Ras Al Sadr Shakhbut and his two brothers Hazza and Khalid attended the celebration of the drilling of the first test well in southeast Arabian Peninsulardquo37


9

Sheikh Khalid shared with his brothers the burdens of running the Emirate and responded to peoplersquos demands However he resented the long time it took to find oil in Abu Dhabi They had expected immediate results like they would soon be watching the movement of a fleet of oil supertankers across the calm Gulf waters Instead only the movement of the spice trade boats continued for some time to come The English writer and historian Roderic Fenwick Owen describes the signs of desperation and frustration shown by Sheikh Khalid when he met him at the majlis of his brother Sheikh Shakhbut The writer had arrived in Abu Dhabi as part of his tour of the Arabian Peninsula in 1955 In the course of their conversation Sheikh Shakhbut asked him whether he thought that what we had in Abu Dhabi Island amounted to a great deal Roderic replied ldquoI am not qualified to give an answer to such a question However perhaps it wonrsquot be found above ground but rather under the seabedrdquo The Ruler retorted ldquoWe have waited so long to hear good news about oil since the explorations started around 18 years ago which is a very long periodrdquo Sheikh Khalid nodded and said ldquoWe have been waiting too longhelliprdquo The Englishman noted ldquoSuch a nod indicated that there was no end in sight for these explorations and their faces were grim There were signs of impatience and anger Nevertheless after a moment of silence they were all philosophical about it and simply said ldquoIt is the will of God Almightyrdquo

Sheikh Khalid had always been indifferent to what his brothers possessed He believed that there was a place for each of them in the Emirate They consulted and advised each other and worked for the benefit of their society under the leadership of one of them Evidence of a possible change in the structure of Abu Dhabi government emerged in the early nineteen fifties after the Ruler gave a sign of his willingness to delegate some of his powers to his brothers This was demonstrated in the first agreement to be signed with an oil company The Ruler was the only signatory to the agreement on behalf of the Emirate However the oil concession agreement signed in 1950 provided that the Ruler shall be represented by ldquoa tripartite committee consisting of Hazza Bin Sultan Khalid bin Sultan and Zayed bin Sultanrdquo38 But the Ruler hesitated in implementing such an agreement when the time actually came Nevertheless the sense of collective responsibility grew stronger in the Emirate It became crystal clear that Khalidrsquos youngest brother Sheikh Zayed held a special standing in society thanks to his leadership qualities within the circle of the Ruling Family and throughout the Emirate even before his eldest brother Sheikh Shakhbut declared for the first time in 1954 his intention to step down39 A British report dated October 17 1962 stated that Sheikh Shakhbut sent his cousin Mohammed Bin Khalifa40 to his brothers Khalid and Zayed in Al Ain to inform them of his decision to abdicate and to ask them to take over but the two brothers refused41 Under Shakhbutrsquos instructions the three brothers met in Abu Dhabi and held a stormy session that eventually amounted to nothing as they held conflicting views


1110

In spite of their differing views Sheikh Khalid never violated the established code of conduct that was to be observed namely to show due respect to the personality and status of the Ruler However Rulers do not stay in power forever Thus Sheikh Khalid supported the position of his brother Sheikh Zayed in the disturbances that erupted in Abu Dhabi in 1966 until the latter took over the reins of government42 The reason for such a change was the development plans and schemes that were drawn up during Sheikh Shakhbutrsquos rule in 1965-1966 covering major construction projects like roads power generating plants hospitals and other essential infrastructures were not carried out because of the Rulerrsquos failure to implement them It is noteworthy that Sheikh Khalid and his brother Sheikh Zayed did all they could to see that they were implemented43 In his report A J M Craig an aide to the Political Agent in Dubai confirmed that Sheikh Khalid was keen on carrying out development projects in Abu Dhabi in the nineteen sixties44 However they both gave up on the Ruler whose attitude was at variance with reality especially now that oil had been discovered in the Emirate in 1958 and began to be exported in 1962 There were rewarding returns which could be invested in funding basic projects45

As Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi

In September 1966 within a month of his younger brother Sheikh Zayed assuming power in Abu Dhabi a government decree was issued appointing Khalid as Deputy Ruler46 A British communication dated November 15 1966 mentions that Sheikh Khalid was in charge of the Emiratersquos affairs while his brother Sheikh Zayed made official tours of neighboring states to forge friendly and collaborative relationships with them and to strengthen Abu Dhabirsquos standing in the region Sheikh Khalid was aware of the importance of supporting his brotherrsquos declared policy towards his neighbors47 Sheikh Khalid shared several qualities with his brother Zayed like their passion for traditional Bedouin life raising and possessing falcons hunting and participating in conversations that took place in the majlises They trusted one another deeply Sheikh Zayed had a very special place in his brother Khalidrsquos heart which no other brother had

Sheikh Zayed was in the habit of seeking Khalidrsquos advice in many of the Emiratersquos important financial and political matters as well as its relations with its neighbors48

Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the mid-1960s

Source National Archives of the UAE copy Neville Green


11

Translation of the decree promulgated by Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Ruler of Abu Dhabi forming Government administration 11th September 1966

Source National Archives and Records Administration USA

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid


1312




13

This is demonstrated in a British correspondence dated July 8 1967 dealing with his brotherrsquos discussions with the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed aimed at consulting each other and negotiating a peaceful settlement of the border issue (the seabed limit) Sheikh Zayed made a decision only after full consultation and agreement with his brother Khalid and after receiving his consent regarding Abu Dhabi territory49 Khalid continued to support his brother in his discussions on the attempts to form a bilateral union between Abu Dhabi and Dubai50 In 1968 the power structure in Abu Dhabi was modified by a decision to appoint Sheikh Khalifa the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed as Deputy Ruler instead of Sheikh Khalid51

As conditions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi stabilised Sheikh Khalid played a pivotal role by supporting Sheikh Zayedrsquos plans and projects with the launch of Abu Dhabirsquos first ldquoFive-Year Planrdquo in March 1968 which constituted a development strategy for the Emirate Its programs covered all aspects of life Its budget earmarked funds for various projects in several sectors such as education public health agriculture industry communications municipalities housing labour tourism utilities loans investment etc52 The idea of building Al Khalidiya Park was a remarkable plan implemented by Sheikh Khalid53 His efforts and enthusiasm to create and follow up basic development projects in Abu Dhabirsquos Western Province as part of the continuous development and construction activity in Abu Dhabi and the internal regions like Al Ain drew the attention of British observers Their correspondence and administrative reports dealt with the following

Liwa Enters the Modern Age

1 Seeh Al Dam and the Artesian Wells Concept

Sheikh Khalidrsquos attitude and insistence on creating settled agrarian communities in the western region oases drew the attention of Archie Lamb the British Political Agent in Abu Dhabi (1965-1968) following a tour by him in the Western Region He wrote ldquoWhen we passed by Seeh Al Dam we saw a group of men drilling artesian wells After making inquiries we found out that they were Sheikh Khalidrsquos men to whom he had promised a plot of land each in this Seeh and the necessary help by providing drilling equipment and transportationrdquo54

Archie Lamb did not waste any time as soon as he reached Abu Dhabi he rushed to see Sheikh Khalid He discovered that Sheikh Khalid and his brother Sheikh Zayed the Ruler were thinking and acting wisely and prudently Sheikh Khalid was keenly aware of the importance of refuting any external expansionist claims to Abu Dhabirsquos Western Region territory Lamb stated ldquoSheikh Khalid firmly believes that settlements in Liwa are the key to ensure Abu Dhabi security and stability Consequently he thinks it is crucial to give support to those who would like to settle down over thererdquo


1514

The traditional importance of Liwa which is hundreds of miles away south west of Abu Dhabi on the southern border of Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia and consisting of more than fifty villages and date palm gardens spread across green areas and sand dunes lies in its oil55 However the main significance of the Liwa region which the Political Agent did not emphasise was that it is the land of Sheikh Khalidrsquos forefathers Furthermore it is home to the palm gardens which he had inherited from his grandfathers and in particular it includes the place where he was born and raised Muzaira56 It appeared that the garden owners and residents of this region had voiced their resentment to Sheikh Khalid about the poor condition of their crops while once it used to be the economic as well as social capital of Al Dhafra Furthermore it was the place that accommodated the Al Dhafra desert Bedouins during the hot season where they enjoyed the fruits of the date palms and took shelter in their shade It used to have fresh water that has since become scarce and was sold at exorbitant prices Well drilling was overdue and way behind similar developments in Al Ain oases and elsewhere It even lacked basic social services like primary healthcare and schools Guided by his social instinct Sheikh Khalid as a Bedouin Sheikh realized the importance of focusing his attention on this area He was alive to the huge responsibility shouldered by his brother Sheikh Zayed At the same time he mulled over the present miserable conditions in Liwa although it was a fertile land that abounded with groundwater that could be exploited to develop agriculture and enable Bedouin tribes to settle down Hence his first initiative was taken in Seeh Al Dam

It is appropriate to ask in this context what were Sheikh Khalidrsquos most remarkable initiatives Have they made any noticeable difference in the social economic and environmental development of the region More importantly Why Seeh Al Dam and where is this Seeh located Why was it given its name

Seeh Al Dam is located in the Bateen Liwa within latitude 23deg 06ʹ North and longitude 38deg 53ʹ East57 Sheikh Khalid had realized the importance of setting in motion the settlement process in this area in order to close the chapter on blood feuds that had plagued this locale He explained to Archie lamb the British Political Agent the reason for calling this area Seeh Al Dam (the bloody surface water) He said ldquoTwo years ago two tribes fought bloody wars in this place to seize control of arable land In order to stop this tribal dispute the ruler of the Emirate at that time visited the area to prevent any settlement in it for any reason whatsoeverrdquo Sheikh Khalid went on to tell the Political Agent that the time of tribal wars in Abu Dhabi is forever past Now all people wish to live together in peace as a result of the agricultural development projects underway in this Seeh

Sheikh Khalidrsquos plans for Seeh Al Dam began by sinking 15 wells especially since he found that its land had an abundance of groundwater Most of the Liwa desert area is


15

arable if sufficient water supply is made available In his report the Political Agent mentioned that Sheikh Khalid would supply water to anyone who wished to settle in the land and develop it together with water pumps pipes seeds and seedlings Moreover such a person would obtain a house and a sum of money to tide him over for up to two years at the rate of 30 Dinars a month until he was settled The Political Agent added ldquoIt is Sheikh Khalidrsquos belief that it is inappropriate that the water supply does not include already created gardens These are small properties that offer a better opportunity for making a living and deserve attention because such grounds are located in an area deemed the heartland of Al Bu Falahrdquo I had already told him that people in Muzaira58 Qarmada59 and Al Mariya60 obtain their water supply by water pumps and pipes needed for wells I explained to him that small gardens in Al Mariya that were previously prosperous and flourishing had fallen into disrepair and remain uncultivated No support of any kind has been given to the landowners to help them service their water pumpsrdquo The Political Agent further said that he told Sheikh Khalid that his project was a commendable one especially in the present circumstances in Liwa Further efforts need to be made to service water pumps The Sheikh lauded the proposal made by the Political Agent to hire an itinerant mechanic to install and maintain equipment61

Sheikh Khalidrsquos achievements in Liwa were observed by an Arab mission from Dar Al Hilal which visited that region in 1969 It published statistics about the number of water pumps that were distributed in Liwa villages The mission said that despite the short life of the water pumps the crops around the well were very promising Tomatoes vegetable marrows and radish were seen62 The mission also mentioned that the Water Department had made water available to the desert inhabitants and their livestock and land by purchasing the necessary equipment and water pumps for wells and building water storage tanks under a contract for the supply of such equipment in order to distribute them to the rest of the desert regions especially Liwa63

2 Education

The Political Agent was impressed by Sheikh Khalidrsquos agricultural reforms and wanted to see whether he would support projects to open schools in Liwa Following several discussions with him the Political Agent learned that Sheikh Khalid was considering building a school housed in a wooden structure in Habshan for the children living in that area and its vicinity Sheikh Khalid was aware of the uncertainty surrounding the future of education in the Western Region Meanwhile education in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain had made a quantum leap with the creation of an Education Department and the opening of elementary and secondary schools and buildings that were fully equipped with all teaching and modern educational aids Students were provided with transportation and monthly stipends as part of the Five-Year Plan of which one third of the budget was earmarked for education64


1716

3 Medical services

In his enthusiasm to implement urgent basic development projects in Liwa Sheikh Khalid had embarked on some advanced medical service projects for the Western Region despite his realization that recruiting medical staff and providing the equipment for any clinic would be very difficult because of the rough terrain of the region Following several discussions with Archie Lamb the British Political Agent they both agreed to try to seek the assistance of Her Majestyrsquos Government (HMG) to provide a viable healthcare service in that region The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) had already appointed Dr Patrick Dale Russell as Chief Medical Officer His tasks included the appointment of officers to run medical services in British colonies65 The British Political Agent said ldquoPeople in Liwa hardly have any medical services Consequently mobile clinics were createdhelliphellipthe management and maintenance of such clinics were entrusted to the Abu Dhabi Defense Force (ADDF) under the supervision of the Director of Healthrdquo66 Later on it turned out that the best solution was to provide mobile clinics under the supervision of Trucial Oman Scouts (TOS) which would accompany any medical team sent to that region

There was a small TOS contingent under the command of British officers to maintain law and order and thwart any armed incursion or infiltration as well as to protect British political representatives In addition an ADDF unit patrolled that region Cars were not available then The only forces which possessed vehicles and equipment that could navigate Liwarsquos rugged terrain were ADDF and TOS These units had been instrumental in promptly coming to the rescue of critically ill patients in the Western Region

The truth of the matter is that it was not only the Western Region that lacked proper medical services but rather all the Emirates suffered from epidemics and diseases that swept the area every now and then The British Political Agency which looked after British interests in the Emirates was slow in introducing small mobile clinics that visited various Emirates In spite of the Arab Leaguersquos persistent appeals to Great Britain at that time to allow the former to get a foothold in the Gulf region67 Britain had warned the Rulers of the Emirates against dealing with the Arab League68 The only speedy reaction to foil the Arab Leaguersquos efforts was the formation by Britain of the Trucial States Development Fund and its Development Office administered under the supervision of Abu Dhabi and the Rulers of the other Emirates69 The Development Office was established in 1965 It welcomed any unconditional assistance from any source for the development of the Emirates The Development Office received contributions from the Emirates themselves the Gulf States and Britain When Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan assumed power in Abu Dhabi in 1966 he expressed his sincere willingness to provide financial support to all the Emirates Indeed Abu Dhabi funded 95 of the Development Fundrsquos budget in 1969 Rather than restricting its attention to agricultural programs and water resources surveys the Fund also extended its efforts to medical services


17

The Political Agent added ldquoI have told him (ie Sheikh Khalid) that on my way to that region I saw south of Badiya70 on the road from Tarif to Asab a group of men who were busy drilling wells Sheikh Khalid confirmed to me that those men worked for Sheikh Zayed Later on I learned that Sheikh Zayed intended to build a palace for himself at that placerdquo71 This is concrete evidence that the Ruler used to follow up personally the plans and projects of his brother Khalid who believed the Western Region must have its due share of the modernization projects the costs of which were borne by Abu Dhabi

Al Ain Agricultural Research Station

It was not only in the Western Region that Sheikh Khalid took an interest in development projects He also spearheaded government initiatives in the Emiratersquos Eastern Region especially focusing on agricultural development in Al Ain in which he was the leading figure72 Sheikh Khalid owned huge date palm gardens located in the oases of Al Ain Al Muwaiji Al Jimi Al Hili Al Qattara and Al Jahili73 He built an agricultural settlement in Al Iqabiya located between Zakher and Al Maqam now known as Al Khalidiya named in his memory as a fitting tribute It is said that it was irrigated from Hazza Falaj a dry Al Ain Falaj74

In 1967 Sheikh Khalid expressed his desire to support the agrarian policy of the Abu Dhabi government by providing some necessary facilities to build an experimental research station in his Al Ain farm It was designed to produce various vegetable and fruit crops woodland trees decorative plants use natural fertilizer and manures and establish the correct quantity of water required for each plant as well as the most suitable farming and cultivation techniques Such a station was intended to be the main center for training farmers on proper agricultural practices Abu Dhabi Government had already discussed the matter with the British authorities who submitted a preliminary study on agricultural prospects data on water resources education and the exploitation of land in the Emirate to pave the way for the establishment of an agricultural equipment research center in Al Ain75 This followed in the wake of tasking international specialized firms with conducting complete hydrological research in Al Ain and classifying the regionrsquos soil in order to establish the prospects of agricultural expansion before embarking on it76 Britain suggested that the project should be carried out on Sheikh Khalidrsquos farm where suitable groundwater was abundant and the soil was fertile77 Sheikh Khalid entrusted the drilling of wells in Al Ain on which he was very keen to Nasser Bin Abdullatif Al Serkal78 who had a water pumps business This task was specifically undertaken after he had realised that date palm and citrus trees throughout the Emirates had weak yield as many farmers had to immigrate and work in oil companies in Saudi Arabia Kuwait and Qatar during the nineteen fifties as a result of the difficult circumstances back home This unfortunate circumstance prompted him to import water pumps and sell them to farmers He


1918

appointed a mechanic to tour the various Emirates to install water pumps and to teach farmers how to operate and maintain them In 1962 Nasser brought ploughs and drilling equipment to sink very deep wells Sheikh Khalid sought his assistance in drilling and exploiting groundwater Mr Nasser said in an interview ldquoIn 1966 Abu Dhabi government asked me to go to the Liwa desert where sand dunes abound to explore and drill groundwater sites I conducted the necessary survey and discovered scores of water streams We started drillinghelliphellipand planted trees in such sitesrdquo79

A British source mentioned that the most important well in Sheikh Khalidrsquos farm was situated in the middle it was a high yielding well with good water for irrigation The said source added that various agricultural equipment was available in this farm such as water irrigation pipes tractors harvesting machines etc together with several storage facilities for plant seeds A raconteur believes that this station was built in his Al Iqabiya farm80

The project planners needed nearly 50000 British Pounds Sterling (GBP) to build the basic facilities and to modify existing structures in Sheikh Khalidrsquos farm in Al Ain to implement the project They needed an additional amount estimated at 15000-20000 GBP for the continuous operation of this station Furthermore a school for agricultural equipment operation and maintenance was established as a nucleus for training agricultural guidance cadres81 Numerous agricultural experiments and research had been conducted at Sheikh Khalidrsquos farm to determine the best types of fruit and vegetables crops woodland trees and ornamental trees Output was enhanced by employing more experts to double the production of seedlings conduct experiments and research on vegetable varieties and establish the suitable types to distribute them among farmers Thus the station had become a center for teaching and spreading agricultural knowledge and expertise among farmers and training them on proper production practices This led to the spread of other experimental stations in Abu Dhabi

Beekeeping

Beekeeping is a branch of agriculture and is highly important in preserving biodiversity Undoubtedly Sheikh Khalid was aware that a large number of plants might not bear fruits without the participation of bees in pollinating their flowers He found that climate conditions are conducive to beekeeping and increased honeybee species in Al Ain oases which became famous for growing fruits and vegetables However an unexpected element decimated Sheikh Khalidrsquos honeybees What could have possibly caused this

In Abu Dhabi there was an epidemic of malaria and the government had to launch a vaccination campaign A doctor in Al Ain had discovered at that time that mosquitoes were multiplying there on mist droplets on car tyres Therefore mosquitoes were able


19

to spread to Abu Dhabi and transmit malaria to the Island It is worth noting that the Abu Dhabi Ruler had actually noticed that mosquitoes did not multiply near Al Ain wells that use motor pumps and he was right He concluded that a thin oil layer over water prevents mosquitoes from multiplying He heard that DDT was a potent mosquito killer Dr George Mathew who followed up the matter with Sheikh Zayed said ldquoThe Ruler turned to me and said ldquoUse the stuff For this purpose we hired an airplane to spray DDT all over the Al Ain oasis However the result was disastrous Mosquitoes or rather those which survived managed to continue multiplying and transmit malaria But all the honeybees owned by Sheikh Khalid died Sultan Saeed Bin Taimur the Sultan of Muscat and Oman (1932-1970) alleged that the people were also poisoned The matter was finally settled by paying appropriate compensation to all affected82

The Death of Khalid Bin Sultan announced by the State

Sheikh Khalid had been suffering from a severe illness in his last years and had been under treatment in a well-known London-based hospital On September 5 1977 the court of UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan issued a statement announcing that Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Nahyan had passed away With deep sadness and sorrow but with hearts that firmly believe in Godrsquos will the people of Abu Dhabi bade farewell to and escorted the deceased to his final resting place in Al Ain led by his brother Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Seven days of national mourning were declared in the State and all government ministries and departments were closed during the period83

On this occasion a raconteur remarked that with the demise of Sheikh Khalid the country lost one of Abu Dhabirsquos leading figures During the national mourning period mourners visited Sheikh Khalidrsquos Al Ain palace for the entire week after the sunset prayers to pay their respect and recited chapters from the Holy Qurrsquoan in the presence of the imam from the Al Kuwaitat area east of Al Ain84


2120

Endnotes

1 R152544 Residency Agent Sharjah to Political Resident 27 Aug 1934

2 Claud Morris The Desert Falcon London the Outline Series of Book 197421

3 Ibid 24

حممد مرسي دولة الإمارات العربية املتحدة وجريانها دار القلم الكويت 1981 ص 219 4

عرست حكومة اململكة العربية السعودية التحكيم لتسوية النزاع الإقليمي بني مسقط واأبوظبي واململكة العربية 5السعودية 1955 1415

6 Julian Walker Tyro on the Trucial Coast The Memoir Club Durham 1999 171

7 1999 عبداهلل الطابور رسائل الرعيل الأول من رواد اليقظة يف الإمارات دائرة الثقافة والإعالم السارقة ص 66

اأبوظبي 8 اأكادميية السعر اأبوظبي للثقافة والرتاث اأبو سهاب اإطاللة على ماسي الإمارات هيئة حمد خليفة 2011 ص 47

عارف السيخ تاريخ التعليم يف اأبوظبي يف الفرتة )1902-1972( اأبوظبي )دن( 2008 ص 235 9

السيد احلاج اأمني باقر خوري اأجرى املقابلة حممد العمري بتاريخ 22 1 1978 10

11 Claud Morris The Desert Falcon 25

)رسائل 12 1935-1852 السارقة يف الوطني الوكيل رسائل من املستخلص املتحدة العربية الإمارات تاريخ السركال( جمع وحتقيق دفالح حنظل وفاطمة السايغ خمطوط 1999 ص 393

حممد حممود بهزاد ديوان الوجهة الذهبية مطبعة النهسة مسر )دم( ص 48 وانظر عن التاجر خلف 13العتيبة يف عبد اهلل الطابور رسائل الرعيل الأول من رواد اليقظة يف الإمارات دائرة الثقافة والإعالم السارقة

1999 ص 66

حممد بهزاد ديوان الوجهة الذهبية ص 49 14

15 IOR R151265 Residency Agent Sharjah to Political Resident 13 August 1926

16 Records of the Emirates 1966 - 1971 edited by AL P Burdett Vol2 1967 Archive Editions UK 2002 383

17 Susan Hillyard Before the Oil A Personal Memoir of Abu Dhabi 1954 -1958 Ashridge Press 200261

رمي طارق متويل قسر احلسن املجمع الثقايف اأبوظبي 1997 ص 127 18



21

20 FO 1016 373 Report by Political Resident BAB Burrows to Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 15 April 1954

21 Julian Walker Tyro on the Trucial coast 135

اأبوظبي وجهتنا نارين اآساربوتا 1927-2010 ترجمة عبد الإله املالح دار الكتب الوطنية اأبوظبي )دم( ص 2289 67 62

اأبوظبي وجهتنا ص 106 23

زيارة ملوقع قسره يف املويجعي 24


26 Donald Hawley The Emirates Witness to a Metamorphosis Michael Russell United Kingdom 2007 91

27 Donald Hawley The Emirates Witness to a Metamorphosis hellip92

28 Susan Hillyard Before the Oil 142

29 Ibid 140

نارين اآساربوتا اأبوظبي وجهتنا ص 64 30

سامل السامان دفرت العمر اجلزء الأول 2009 ص 85 98 وانظر اأيسا دفرت العمر اجلزء الثاين 2011 31ص 164

مقابلة مع السيد علي بالعبد الظاهري بتاريخ 23 6 2016 32

بقوة الحتاد ساحب السمو السيخ زايد بن سلطان اآل نهيان القائد والدولة مركز الإمارات للدراسات والبحوث 33الإسرتاتيجية اأبوظبي 2004 ص 96

رسائل السركال فالح حنظل ص 488 34

حممد فارص الفارص الأوساع القتسادية يف اإمارات الساحل مركز الإمارات للدراسات والبحوث الإسرتاتيجية 35اأبوظبي 2000 ص 225

36 FO 371 82084 Abu Dhabi 1950 Political Agreement between Great Britain and the Superior Oil Company regarding the oil concession agreement with the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi 15 April 1950

رونالد كودراي اأبوظبي الألبوم العربي جمموعة سور تذكارية ماأخوذة يف منتسف القرن العسرين موتيفيت 37للنسر دبي 1993 ص 76



2322

39 FO 101543954 Burrows Political Resident Bahrain to Eden Foreign Secretary April 15 1954

عن السيخ حممد بن خليفة انظر سمسة الظاهري اأبوظبي دراسات يف التاريخ الجتماعي )1971-1820( 40مركز زايد للدراسات والبحوث اأبوظبي 2014 ص 31

عبد العزيز عبد الغني اأبوظبي توحيد الإمارة وقيام الحتاد مركز الوثائق والدراسات اأبوظبي 2004 ص 295 41

42 FO 371 185578 Political Agency Abu Dhabi to Political Residency Bahrain 26 November 1966

بقوة الحتاد ص 148 43

44 FO 371157033 33628 (101461) Craig Political Agency Abu Dhabi to Tripp Political Residence Bahrain Oct 18 1961


46 FCO 8 66 Political Agency Abu Dhabi to Political Residency Bahrain20 February 1967

47 FO 371185529 Plans for various visits relations with other Rulers Political Agency Abu Dhabi to Political Residency Bahrain 15 November 1966

48 FCO 8833 Review of character and attitude of Shaikh Zaid bin Sultan

49 FO 1016 1811 Political Agency Abu Dhabi to Political Residency Bahrain 8 July 1967 FO 371 185578 Political Agency Abu Dhabi to Political Residency Bahrain 26 November 1966

50 FCO 8847 Political Agency Abu Dhabi to Political Residency Bahrain 24 January 1968

جوينتي مايرتا زايد من التحدي اإىل الحتاد مركز الوثائق والبحوث اأبوظبي 2007 ص 194 51

52 FCO 89971 Transcript of Tape Recording of press conference held at London on Thursday 19 June 1969

زايد من التحدي اإىل الحتاد ص 127 53

54 FCO 8 853 Political Agency Abu Dhabi to Political Residency Bahrain 2 March 1967

بتوسع عن النفط واحلدود انظر حممد فارص الفارص الأوساع القتسادية يف اإمارات الساحل )دولة الإمارات 55العربية املتحدة( 1862-1965 مركز الإمارات للدراسات والبحوث الإسرتاتيجية اأبوظبي 2000 ص 224

سمسة الظاهري قراءة يف سرية )اأم السيوخ( السيخة سالمة بنت بطي بن خادم جملة تراث نادي تراث الإمارات 56اأبوظبي العدد 181 نوفمرب 2014 ص 20 واأسار لورمير يف حديثه عن حمسر مزيرعة اإىل اأن الرئيص هو بطي بن خادم الذي يقيم عادة يف مدينة اأبوظبي وهو يحكم قرية عتاب وقرميدة اأيسا وهو جد السيخ خالد انظر جج

لورمير دولة الإمارات العربية املتحدة يف دليل اخلليج بيسان للنسر والتوزيع بريوت لبنان 2014 ص 377

2015 ص 57 اأبوظبي الكتب الوطنية اأبوظبي دار باإمارة املياه القدمية النعيمي معجم موارد حماد اخلاطري


23

186 176

100 بئر 58 12 ميال جنوب اجلنوب الغربي من ساه يف ليوا فيها ما يزيد على حمسر مزيرعة على بعد حوايل ومتوسط عمق البئر 4 قامات ويقال اإن املاء نقي جدا وسفاف واأكرب مزارع اأسجار النخيل يف ليوا موجود فيها وفيها بعص املخازن يسرتي منها القرويون والبدو من اجلهات املجاورة ما يريدونه انظر دولة الإمارات العربية

املتحدة يف دليل اخلليج ص 377

قرمدة قرية دائمة على بعد حوايل 9 اأميال اإىل السرق من ناحية السمال من مزيرعة ليوا فيها حوايل 10 اآبار 59عمق الواحدة قامة واحدة وفيها بعص النخيل انظر دولة الإمارات العربية املتحدة يف دليل اخلليج ص 379

املارية قرية دائمة على بعد حوايل 7 اأميال سمال غربي خنور يف ليوافيها حوايل 30 بئرا عمق كل بئر قامتان 60ويزرع النخيل فيها على نطاق واسع انظر دولة الإمارات العربية املتحدة يف دليل اخلليج ص 375


اأبوظبي دار الهالل )دن( )دم( ص 164 62

اأبوظبي دار الهالل ص 114 63

64 Abu Dhabi in Two Years 1968 19

ذكريات الإمارات املركز الوطني للوثائق والبحوث اأبوظبي 2012 ص 243 65


سيد نوفل اخلليج العربي اأو احلدود السرقية للوطن العربي بريوت دار الطليعة 1969 ص 337 وانظر يف 67تاريخ الإمارات العربية املتحدة خمتارات من اأهم الوثائق الربيطانية املجلد الثالث بريطانيا والقيادة الرائدة

1945-1965 مركز لندن للدراسات العربية 1996 ص 482

تاريخ الإمارات العربية املتحدة خمتارات من اأهم الوثائق الربيطانية املجلد3 ص 487 68


كانت تعترب موارد مياه قدمية لحتوائها على اآبار ماء انظر حماد اخلاطري معجم موارد املياه القدمية باإمارة 70اأبوظبي ص 118


72 Abu Dhabi From Past to Present Documents and Research Bureau Orient Press Beirut 1969 15

73 The Buraimi Dispute Contemporary Documents 1950-1961 London Archive Editions 1992 vol 1p 656

مقابلة مع السيد علي العبد الظاهري بتاريخ 23 6 2016 74

75 Records of the Emirates 1967 352

25


2524

اأبوظبي دار الهالل مسر القاهرة 1970 ص 115 76


سامل ابراهيم السامان دفرت العمر ط2 اجلزء الأول ص 224 78

الطبعة 79 اأبوظبي الوطنية الكتب دار القتسادية احلياة اأبنائها ذاكرة يف الإمارات الرحمن عبد اهلل عبد الثانية 2013 ص371

مقابلة مع السيد علي العبد الظاهري 80


82 Philip Horniblow Oil Sand and Politics Hayloft 2004 187

سحيفة الحتاد العدد السادر يف 951977 وانظر اأيسا العدد 12-10 5 1977 83

مقابلة مع السيد حميد البلوسي بتاريخ 16 5 2016 84

2525

Establishment of Electrical Services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Prior to the Formation of the UAEAisha Saeed Al Qaidi

Introduction

This purpose of this study is to track the development of electrical services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from the late 1950s until the establishment of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 based on a wide range of documents from Qasr al Hosn and the British government

The study is divided into four sections the first deals with the introduction of electricity in the Emirate the second traces the first steps taken for the establishment of a power plant the third deals with the power plantrsquos management and the fourth monitors the development of electricity services during the reign of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Ruler of Abu Dhabi The conclusion presents the most important results of the research

Some previous studies have addressed other aspects of this subject most important of which are

- ldquoPages from the History of the UAE and the Gulf a Review of British Documentsrdquo Part II by Mohammed Faris Al Faris This study was dedicated to the agreement between Engineering Projects Ltd and Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Sultan Ruler of Abu Dhabi for establishing an electricity company in the Emirate but it does not mention the subsequent stages the company has gone through and it is not devoted to electricity only but also covers water

- ldquoAbu Dhabi (1945-1971) a Historical Study of the Political Social and Economic Conditionsrdquo by Khalil Othman Hamoud Al Jabiri The study sheds light on the political economic and social aspects of the Emirate from the beginning of the reign of Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Sultan (1928-1966) until the reign of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan (1966-2004) and the establishment of the United Arab Emirates The researcher deals only briefly with the Emiratersquos electrical projects and does not cover all the necessary details of the subject

This article is an extract from the NArsquos forthcoming publication

Aisha Saeed Al Qaidi

2726

Before the establishment of electrical services in the Emirate people used to rely on simple methods available in their environment in order to adapt to the arearsquos hot climate for example people living in the coast were forced during the hot and humid summer to leave their homes for areas with less heat where water and farms are available Those who did not leave their homes in the summer made a special type of bed called ldquoManamardquo and placed it in the middle of the house courtyard It is a large bed lifted from the ground by four legs and made of stone or Bamboo wood known as ldquoJandalrdquo with a frame of palm leaves or mats1 and they would spend all night on these beds in search of cold places2 No electrical lighting existed in those years People had to rely on kerosene lamps3 that were imported from India4

Electricity services were first introduced to the Trucial Coast in the ldquoRest Stationrdquo at Sharjah in 1933 when the first power generator was used5 In 1955 merchant Isa Bin Abdul Latif Al Serkal established the first private power plant in the Emirate of Dubai when he brought in a small generator Then the demand for electricity increased so Al Serkal had to expand the station by adding three other generators6 In 1959 Dubai Electricity Company7 was established with a capital of 3 million Indian Rupees through combined contributions of citizens and the government8

The Introduction of Electricity in the Emirate

Electricity provision in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi started when the Iranian Karmat Allah Yazdani the first dentist in the Emirate arrived in the late 1950s - and three of his friends procured a power generator in 1958 He recollected ldquoWe used to operate it from sunset until 9 or 10 orsquoclock and in a rotation one of us used to operate it each nightrdquo It was used mainly to provide light9

According to a British report on the economic situation in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 1959 Sheikh Shakhbut Ruler of Abu Dhabi had sought to find out if the British Oil Company10 could help to start a project to supply the Emirate with electricity but the company advised him that he should put the project on tender in Bahrain11 The contract was put for tender and was awarded to a specialized company whose initial work was limited to the supply of electricity to the rulerrsquos palace12 Finally in 1961 electricity was provided to the Rulerrsquos palace13

When oil was discovered and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi started exporting it in the early 1960s there was a need for a modern public administration which prompted the British authorities to lay down a plan for the advancement of the Emirate14 The plan included the first attempts to introduce electricity services in the Emirate The firms of Sir William Hawker amp Partners and Scott amp Wilson Kirkpatrick amp Partners initiated in 1962 the ldquoDevelopment Project of the Emiraterdquo The project was presented to Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Sultan and included the establishment of a plant for generating and distributing electricity with a budget of 49 million pounds


27

sterling15 However that attempt failed as Sheikh Shakhbut is believed to have rejected the project

The First Steps to Establish Electrical Services

The beginning of establishing electrical services in Abu Dhabi can be dated January 3 1963 when an agreement was concluded between Sheikh Shakhbut and British Engineering Projects Ltd Pursuant to that agreement Engineering Projects Ltd would establish a limited liability company known as ldquoAbu Dhabi Electric Supply Company Ltdrdquo with capital of one half million pounds sterling The company was to provide equipment in accordance with the recommendations of the Rulerrsquos advisers install and maintain the equipment and devise to provide all customers with sufficient electric power The company was to issue invoices and collect fees from consumers at a price of no more than 40 naya paise per kilowatt16 and the price would be reconsidered in the future with the increase of consumption The Ruler allocated the required plot of land to the company free of charge and disconnected power from consumers who failed to pay fees after giving them warnings within a reasonable time The company had the right to monopolize supplying electricity to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for 20 years and if it was nationalized a fair compensation would be paid to the shareholders The company would be exempted from all taxes during the monopoly period The company would allocate 10 of its capital to the ruler of Abu Dhabi in exchange for his approval17 It is worth noting that Engineering Projects Ltd had installed a monopoly clause to block any efforts by other companies that may wish to provide similar services

Engineering Projects Ltd laid down the diagram which estimated Abu Dhabirsquos need of electricity from 1963 to 1969 (see digram next page)

After the conclusion of the agreement Mr E Maw Director of Engineering Projects Ltd in London wrote to the Arab Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in London on March 11 1963 stating that the Ruler of Abu Dhabi had agreed to establish an electricity company in Abu Dhabi and that the agreement was registered with the Political Agent He discussed the project with British commercial banks who advised that the projectrsquos capital must come from the Ruler of Abu Dhabi who must be convinced that this funding should be without interest The Manager of the company said that he believed the source of funding was likely to be from Beirut and that we were in close contact with him and said he was trying to negotiate for the purchase of machinery and equipment from Britain18

On the same date March 11 1963 J E H Boustead sent a letter from the Political Residency in Abu Dhabi to Sheikh Shakhbut pointing out that Mr Maw from Engineering Projects Ltd had sent him a letter stating that there were possibilities for financing the Abu Dhabi electricity project and that it could be accomplished as per


2928

the conditions set forth in the agreement19 The Engineering Projects Ltd eventually failed in establishing a power plant in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi20 because of a flaw in the agreement as the manager of the company failed to collect 1500000 pounds sterling required for the project21

Then the British firm of Hawker Siddeley Ltd entered the competition when itrsquos CEO G R P William sent a letter from London to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi on September 9 1963 in which he referred to the visit of V J Lee and Nassir Abdullatif

Report on proposed private electric power supply company February 1963 Source The National Archives of the UK


29

Al Serkal to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi He said that the visit convinced them to consider the establishment of an electrical services company there The project had been well studied and discussions over it were about to finish The CEO thought it was wise for the company to send a representative from London to Abu Dhabi within a month along with details of the project which were believed to be practical and acceptable The mission of the companyrsquos representative centered on discussing and coordinating the project with the Ruler22 The Ruler responded to that letter by agreeing to meet the Hawker Siddeleyrsquos representative in Al Ain23

After a short period and specifically in October 1963 a new competitor appeared in the picture for the Abu Dhabirsquos power plant project as Albert Abela a British National of Palestinian descent and his partners presented a plan to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi for an electricity plant The Ruler approved it even though a formal agreement had not been signed The Ruler insisted on some simple changes in the draft provided that work on the project would begin in the near future The Ruler gave Abela a grace period until the end of October in order to find manufacturers who were able to produce the generators as soon as possible24 Abela spent two weeks in Abu Dhabi to discuss the matter with the Ruler who insisted on getting 10 from the net profit Abela refused and left Abu Dhabi on November 30 1963 In December 1963 the Abu Dhabi Ruler finally refused Abelarsquos offer although the Emiratersquos merchants and residents wished to finance the power plant project25

Hawker Siddeley Ltd eventually managed in January 1964 to sign an agreement with the Ruler of Abu Dhabi to establish Abu Dhabi Electric Supply Company Ltd to be completed by mid-July of the same year But the company was not fully formed within the specified period and work continued until August which angered the Ruler who then ordered the work to stop although the company was willing to pay the penalty for the delay26

The delay was not the only reason that infuriated the Ruler of Abu Dhabi the Hawker Company imported used and poor equipment and generators for the plant according to the Ruler Subsequently a delegation from the company visited the Ruler to inform him that the equipment and generators were all new He finally accepted the British Residentrsquos proposal to designate an independent British expert to inspect the equipment but the Ruler insisted on the presence of a Pakistani expert too Salisbury an expert from Cindy amp Duncan Company visited the location on 14 September of the same year and inspected the power plant He confirmed that the equipment and generators were new but the Ruler refused to accept that27

George Briggs the managing director of the Hawker Siddeley Company visited Abu Dhabi at the end of September of the same year to try to resolve the dispute between the company and the Ruler Following the visit the Ruler agreed that the company should build the walls and the ceiling of the plant to protect it from climate changes


3130

however they did not reach a final settlement to the dispute28

Boustead the British Resident in Abu Dhabi wrote in a letter to William Luce the Political Resident in Bahrain on October 26 1964 ldquoThe Ruler of Abu Dhabi stopped the electricity project which the people were waiting impatiently for The project could have provided great benefits to the Emiraterdquo 29

During the period of dispute between Hawker Siddeley Company and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi there were attempts by some other companies to establish a power plant in the Emirate Mr Tariq Bin Taimoor sent a message to Sheikh Shakhbut on November 4 1964 expressing his desire to establish an electricity company in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to provide it with electricity for 12 years and that he would compensate the companies working in this field in the Emirate He gave the Ruler the option to select a company from any country Britain Canada Germany Italy or France30

A T Clark the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi sent a letter to B R Sippy of Umm Said Power Station Company in London on November 18 1964 apologizing for not having their services and that he would inform them if a need arises in the future31

It seems that all attempts of those companies failed to get investment opportunities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi The Ruler finally agreed in January 1965 to complete the power plant thus he put an end to the dispute between him and Hawker Siddeley Company whose agreement with the Ruler did not include distribution of electricity to consumersrsquo homes and there was no arrangement to set up a department for electricity as distribution was confined to the Rulerrsquos palace and roadrsquo lighting32 In March 1965 Hawker Siddeley Company completed the building of the power plant and on 26 April of the same year the Ruler of Abu Dhabi inaugurated it in the presence of the Political Resident33 The plant produced 3000 kilowatts at the beginning 34

Another electricity project was announced in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain thereafter A T Clark the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi sent a letter ldquoto whom it may concernrdquo dated January 5 1965 regarding advertising in newspapers for a tender to expand Abu Dhabi power plant to 4000 kilowatts and the Al Ain plant to 3000 kilowatts with generators that operate with crude oil for the workshop stores staff offices houses and road lighting The generators would be operated with the locally produced crude oil Interested companies should send representatives to Abu Dhabi to study the requirements during 25 days from the date of the advertisement35

R A Park the manager of Hawker Siddeley Company sent a letter to A T Clark the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi dated January 21 1965 expressing his desire


31

to enter the tender of the installation of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain power stations36 and then G S Wall of Hawker Siddeley Company sent a message to the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi dated January 31 1966 in which he indicated the participation and preparation of the two Electricity projects in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain37

The Ottoman Bank in Abu Dhabi38 published the names of the companies that were required to present their bids for electrical generators There were companies from Britain Germany Denmark France and Italy39 Then other companies sent letters requesting the opportunity to supply the Emirate with electrical generators The Swiss firm Brown Boveri Inc expressed their desire to Sheikh Shakhbut on March 6 1965 to supply thermal generators40 and the Italian company Ercole Marelli amp C sent a letter to Hamel Bin Khadim Al Ghaith on March 25 1965 expressing their desire to provide the Emirate with turbo-generators and offering their bids for them41 Mohammed Salih Abdul Rahman Abdul Ghani from Bahrain sent a letter to Sheikh Shakhbut on March 29 1965 telling him of his intention to supply electrical generators to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from France or from any other country42

Although the Ruler of Abu Dhabi accepted the bid presented by the Italian company Marelli with a reduced price estimated at 18 million pounds sterling he felt that the cost was too high The project was then awarded to its rival Hawker Siddeley Company they presented a plan for the project with an increase of two generators for each the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain stations with road lighting and cabling at a cost of pound300000 The Ruler asked the company to prepare a plan to supply the whole of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain with electricity as soon as possible43 Thus Hawker Siddeley Company was awarded an additional contract from the Emirate for an additional 4000 kilowatts in Abu Dhabi and 3000 kilowatts in Al Ain44

R Keene the Commercial Director of the Associated Electrical Industries International Ltd sent a letter on September 17 1965 to the manager of Abu Dhabi Electricity in which he offered quotations to enter the tender of the Abu Dhabi power project45 Clark the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi sent him a letter dated October 7 1965 telling him that he had opened a letter of credit in the Ottoman Bank in Abu Dhabi with the sum of GBP 4587616 for the purchase and transport of the equipment for the power station and asked him not to delay the procedures46 After that L C E Hawke the Sales Manager in the company sent a letter to Clark the Secretary to the Ruler on October 12 1965 notifying him of the cables and materials for Abu Dhabi generating station that had been sent47

It was agreed between Sheikh Shakhbut the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Oil Company Limited on November 6 1965 to supply the power plants with fuel (crude oil) at production cost without any taxes48


3332

Management of the Power Plant

The Ruler of Abu Dhabi issued regulations and laws on June 12 1965 pertaining to the Abu Dhabi Electricity Project concerning the supply of electricity to the palaces government departments subscribers and roads These included such provisions as subscribers have to pay 15 Baisa for each kilowatt49 the minimum monthly consumption shall be 20 kilowatts electricity subscribers shall pay the relevant subscription fees and expenses to be registered as subscribers that they shall not be entitled to transfer subscriptions to any place other than the place for which subscription was concluded a subscription of 75 Rupees in addition to the costs of the supplying materials and the deposit must be collected from them before supplying electricity to their sites Palaces government and municipal departments houses given by the government and municipality to their staff mosques hospitals and public roadways are exempted from subscription The Ruler may determine consumption in some cases50

On June 16 1965 Sheikh Shakhbut issued an order appointing Muslim Maktoum as manager of Abu Dhabi Electricity Station establishing offices for the administration printing and circulating subscription forms to government departments51

Sheikh Shakhbut sent a letter to the engineers and consultants in Abu Dhabi asking them to settle the affairs regarding the management of the Abu Dhabi power project with Hawker Siddeley Company and to inform him of the results52 Hawker Siddeley Company confirmed its readiness to send an observer to the power station to be responsible for its operation and maintenance provided that the company pay his salary for one year that it would complete the delayed electrical extensions street lighting and other works included in the contract between the company and the Ruler and that the company would send one of its electrical engineers to advise and assist in the operation of machinery project management pricing and other matters relevant to electricity53

Consumption of electricity started initially in 1966 The station had three machines each one with the capacity of 1088 kilowatts but demand increased54 There was a power plant with the capacity of only 6 megawatts55 which was hardly sufficient to meet the city and its populationrsquos need for electricity56

Sheikh Shakhbut canceled the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Electricity projects with Hawker Siddeley Company Archie Lamb the British Resident in Abu Dhabi mentioned in his report on the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on January 2 1967 ldquoOn April 20 1966 the Ruler of Abu Dhabi was not able to grant contracts of Electricity projectsrdquo57


33

Development of Electrical Services in the Era of Sheikh Zayed

When Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan58 became Rule of Abu Dhabi on August 6 1966 he ordered the formation of a Board of Directors for water and electricity headed by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan59 He prepared tenders for the electricity projects and Hawker Siddeley Company was awarded contracts in September of the same year to provide an additional 4000 kilowatts of electric power supply in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and 3000 kilowatts in Al Ain60 Thus the company continued working on the project it was assigned during the reign of Sheikh Shakhbut

An invoice of prices and a list of electrical materials used in Abu Dhabi and Al Buraimi stations Source National Archives of the UAE

Sheikh Zayed inaugurated the Emiratersquos new power plant on August 6 196861 Dhahi Matar Al Badi who worked at Abu Dhabi Electricity Office in 1968 recollects ldquoThe office was a small building made of wood with an attached storeroom and an emergency office and another storeroom for the metersrdquo He adds that the number of employees in the office was not more than 20 people including 10 workers in addition to electricians and meter readers and was headed by Saeed Ateeq The power plant consisted of two diesel generators As for electrical connection Al Badi says ldquoThere were no meters because electricity was distributed free to homes and electrical appliances were very few mostly small refrigerators fans and lamps for lighting There were no air conditioners and the connecting wires for houses were simple and did not exceed 25 mm to 4 mm in thicknessrdquo62

Hassan Ismail Al Nasai recollected that he was trained in the Water and Electricity Department between 1967 and 1970 and that the training period was in the summer He received a monthly stipend from the department He said the department was a small power plant with a production capacity of 3 megawatts and in 1970 it was


3534

transferred to Al Mina Street where it had five gas units and three distillates for desalinating seawater63

The Abu Dhabi Department of Planning had prepared a five-year plan for 1968-1972 with a budget of 317 million Bahraini Dinars 64 to develop the Emirate65 That plan included a number of infrastructure projects including electricity projects66

In 1969 an invitation was sent to a number of international corporations and companies to submit their proposals for conducting extensive studies on generating and distributing electric power in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi That study estimated the cost of the new electricity project as Bahraini Dinars 2586000 The project would have two additional generators each with the capacity of 2200 kilowatts capable of transforming 7900 electric units in addition to a lightening line for a distance of 20 kilometers Al Ain would be supplied with three generators each with the capacity of 1080 kilowatts and capable of transforming 3900 electric units and a lightening line for a distance of 20 kilometers67

Also in 1969 officials in the Development and Public Works Department examined the best ways to generate electricity such as the use of natural gas for the operation of generators or any other suitable and economical means68

In the summer of 1967 electricity consumption increased 3 times the consumption in 1966 and in the summer of 1968 it surpassed 7000 kilowatts69 In 1969 the consumption reached 23000 kilowatts70 In 1970 the Departments of Water and Electricity were merged under the name of the ldquoDepartment of Electricity and Waterrdquo and assigned to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan71

Conclusion

The lifestyle on the Trucial Coast was simple and acceptable to prevailing conditions of that era However by the 1960rsquos the Emirate of Abu Dhabi witnessed significant developments that led to the need for more electrical services One of those developments was the discovery of oil in commercial quantities which increased the financial resources and encouraged the establishment of the infrastructure Abu Dhabi needed including electrical services

Electrical services began in the Emirate when the Iranian dentist Dr Karmat Yazdani and his friends brought a generator in 1958 The Palace of the Ruler was provided with electricity in 1961 The first power plant in the Emirate was inaugurated in 1965 Nonetheless power plants in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in 1966 faced some difficulties and delays which were overcome when Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan became Ruler and established the new electricity project


35

Electricity services had a significant effect on the Emirate firstly trade import of electrical appliances increased as the demand for buying them escalated There had been an increase in the establishment of buildings roads factories and other infrastructure all of which required electrical services as a direct result of the increase in the Emiratersquos population and as electricity service came to be considered among the basic needs that must be available in any region witnessing significant developments

The Department of Electricity was headed by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Al NahyanSource The National Archives of the UAE


3736

Endnotes

1 Manama is the name of the bed which is made from palm tree fronds See Abdel Fattah Al Humouz and Faiz Al Qaisi et al األفاظ لهجة الإمارات وتاأسيلها العني مركز زايد للتاريخ معجم والرتاث 2008 ص 123

سلمى حممد قريسي حديث الذكريات سرية اإبراهيم حممد سالح العوسي اأحد رواة الرتاث السعبي الإماراتي 2املجلص الوطني لالإعالم دولة الإمارات العربية 2011 ص 102

الدراسات 3 مركز اخليمة راأص )1971-1952( املتساحلة الإمارات حكام جملص البدواوي حممد سيف والوثائق 2009 ص 185

املياه والكهرباء يف دولة الكويت سرية ومسرية الكويت مركز البحوث والدراسات الكويتية 2005 ص 42 4

نيقولص ستانلي برايص اخلطوط اجلوية الإمرباطورية واملطار بالسارقة )1932 ndash 1939( جملة ليوا اأبوظبي 5مركز الوثائق والبحوث السنة الثالثة العدد السادص ديسمرب 2011 ص 28

6 1990 القراءة دبي الثاين اجلزء القتسادية احلياة اأبنائها ذاكرة يف الإمارات عبدالرحمن عبداهلل ص334

7 Political Diaries of the Arab World 1959-1960 Edited by Robert L Jarman (UK Archive Editions1998)Vol22 p322

عبداهلل عبد الرحمن الإمارات يف ذاكرة اأبنائها احلياة القتسادية اجلزء الثاين ص 348 8

اإبراهيم الذهلي اأبوظبي ذكريات من املاسي دولة الإمارات العربية املتحدة دار كتاب 2014 ص5859 9

10 In 1939 the company was awarded the concession to explore oil in the Emirate but the conditions of the Second World War prevented the continuation of its operations thus the company stopped and resumed exploration in 1947 In 1962 the company changed its name and became Abu Dhabi Oil Company Limited See Mohammed Hassan Al Aidaroos The Political Developments in the Arab Emirates (1932- 1971) Dubai Al Aidaroos Center for Studies 2002 p 305

حممد مرسي عبداهلل تاريخ الإمارات خمتارات من اأهم الوثائق الربيطانية 1797-1965 لندن مركز لندن 11للدراسات العربية املجلد الرابع 1997 ص572

والجتماعية 12 السياسية الأوساع يف تاريخية دراسة )1971ndash1945( اأبوظبي اجلابري عثمان حمود خليل والقتسادية بغداد دار ومكتبة عدنان للطباعة والنسر والتوزيع 2015 ص 209

13 1996 العربية للدراسات لندن مركز لندن اأبوظبي قسة الغنى اإىل املحل من الفهيم اجلليل عبد حممد ص103

سوؤون 14 )1966ndash سلطان )1928 السيخ سخبوط بن اأبوظبي يف عهد التحتية يف البنية السايغ عوائق فاطمة اجتماعية السارقة جمعية الجتماعيني العدد الثالث والستون السنة السادسة عسرة 1999 ص137


37

15 Development Plans of the GCC States 1962 ndash 1995 United Arab Emirates vol1 (England Archive Editions 1994) p 8

16 The Indian Government carried out radical changes in all its coins in 1957 it divided the rupee to 100 cents and a half rupee to 50 cents The new division was known as ldquoNaya Paisardquo (ldquonewrdquo paisa) 100 Naya Paisa was equal to One Indian Rupee and remained in circulation until 1964 See Mutaz Mohammed Othman History of the UAE Currencies Dubai Al Ajwad for Publication and Distribution 2012 pp 132-133

17 FO 371168947 NO14 agreement between Engineering Project Limited and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi for supply of electricity formation of Abu Dhabi Electric Supply Company Ltd 3 January 1963

18 FO371168947 NO13 Engineering Project Limited and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi for supply of Electricity formation of Abu Dhabi Electric Supply Company Ltd 11 March 1963

19 HA 120 NO180 Letter from Political Agency in Abu Dhabi to Ruler of Abu Dhabi 11 March 1963

20 FO 371168947 NO118 Visit of Mr Abela to Britain to find the necessary equipment for the Abu Dhabi Power Project 6 October 1963

21 Political Diaries of the Arab World 1963 ndash 1965 opcit vol24 p137

22 HA 34 NO119 Letter from the Executive Director of Hawker Siddeley International Limited to Ruler of Abu Dhabi 9 September 1963

23 HA 34 NO120 Letter from the Secretary to the Ruler Abu Dhabi to Hawker Siddeley International Limited 15 September 1963

24 FO 371168947 NO 118 ndash 119 visit of Mr Abela to Britain to find the necessary equipment for Abu Dhabi Power Project 6 October 1963

25 Political Diaries of the Arab world opcit vol24 pp174 177

26 Political Dairies of the Arab world opcit vol24 p413

27 Political Dairies of the Arab world opcit vol24 397


حممد عبد اهلل مرسي تاريخ الإمارات العربية املتحدة خمتارات من اأهم الوثائق املجلد الثالث ص 343 29

30 HA 36 NO122 Letter from Tariq bin Taimour to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi 4 November 1964

31 HA 37 NO 123 Letter from the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi to Umm Said Power Station in London 18 November 1964

32 Political Diaries of the Arab World opcit vol24 p 522


3938

33 FO 371185523 NO 18 Extract from the Chronological Summary of Events in Abu Dhabi for the Year 1965

34 Records of the Emirates 1966 -1971 1967 Edited by Anita LP Burdett (Slough Archive Editions 2002) vol2 p6

35 HA 39 NO 127 ndash 128 Letter from the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi about tenders invited for completion of electrical installations in the towns of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain 5 January 1965

36 HA 172 NO 362 Letter from Hawker Siddeley International Limited to the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi 21 January 1965

37 HA 175 NO365 Letter from G S Wall from Hawker Siddeley International Limited to the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi 31 January 1966

38 The Ottoman Bank was opened in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in July 1962 See Aisha Saeed Al Qaidi Banking Services in the Trucial States (1945-1971) Abu Dhabi Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research 2012 p 90

39 HA 40 NO129 Ottoman Bank publishes the names of companies that are to rate generators in Abu Dhabi 24 February 1965

40 HA 47 NO139 Letter from Brown Boveri and Co Ltd to Ruler of Abu Dhabi 6 March 1965

41 HA 45 NO 136 ndash 137 Letter from Ercole Marelli Company to Hamil Bin Khadim Al Ghaith in Abu Dhabi 25 March 1965

42 HA 46 NO138 Letter from Mohammed Saleh Abdul Rahman Abdul Ghani to Ruler of Abu Dhabi 29 March 1965

43 FO 371185566 NO10-11 Letter from C Dyer from the Political Agency in Abu Dhabi to DD Asprey from the Commercial Relations and Exports Department 30 December 1965

44 Records of the Emirates 1966 -1971 1967 op cit vol2 p6

45 HA 122 NO 275 - 280 Letter from the Associated Electrical Industries International Ltd to the Manager Abu Dhabi Electricity Department in Abu Dhabi 17 September 1965

46 HA 258 NO562 Letter from the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi to the Associated Electrical Industries Ltd 7 October 1965

47 HA 136 NO298 ndash 299 Letter from the Associated Electrical Industries Ltd to the Secretary to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi 12 October 1965

48 HA 278 NO1092 Letter from Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company Ltd to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi 6 November 1965

49 It is the currency used when the term ldquoNayardquo was written off and the old name ldquoBaisardquo was reused It was used during the period 1964-1966 Use of this currency was stopped upon the


39

Indian Governmentrsquos decision to devalue the Indian Rupee by 35 See Mutaz Mohammed Othman The History of the UAE Currencies Dubai Al Ajwad Publishing and Distribution 2012 pp 134-135

50 HA 56 NO 148- 150 Abu Dhabi System Project 12 June 1965

51 HA 59 NO 157 Ordinance Nomination for the Director of the Abu Dhabi Electricity Station 16 June 1965

52 HA 71 NO179 Letter from the Ruler of Abu Dhabi to Consulting Engineers 19 July 1965

53 HA 82 NO198 ndash 199 Letter from Brian Colhoun Company London to the Ruler of Abu Dhabi 10 August 1965

حممد ياسر سرف جمتمع الإمارات اأبوظبي دار املتنبي )د ت( ص181 54

55 An electrical measurement equal to 1000000 Watt انظر مظفر اأنور النعمة سنان حممود عطار باسي القياسات الكهربائية العراق دار الكتب للطباعة والنسر 1988 ص20

56 Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed reveals the secrets of the beginnings of the water and electricity services in Abu Dhabi to Tawzea Magazine Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Distribution Company 8th edition December 2011 pp 4-5 See

httpwwwaddcaepubADDC20DECEMBER2011WEB20ISSUE20820AEpdf

Wednesday 13 11 2013

57 Records of the Emirates 1966 ndash 1971 1966 opcit vol1 p27

58 Sheikh Zayed was born in 1918 in Al Ain He was the Representative of the Ruler there in 1946 Shortage of water and lack of resources delayed the development of Al Ain city The first school was opened there in 1959 as well as the first market road network and hospital Sheikh Zayed became Ruler in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on August 6th 1966 See Abdul Hadi Mohammed The 50 Most Powerful Figures in the UAE Cairo Al Raya Centre for Publishing and Media 2011 pp 13-14




جوينتي مايرتا زايد من التحدي اإىل الحتاد اأبوظبي مركز الوثائق والبحوث 2007 ص 112 60

يوميات زايد اجلزء الأول اأبوظبي مركز الوثائق والبحوث 2003 ص 19 61

يونيو 62 الرابع العدد للتوزيع اأبوظبي سركة اأبوظبي توزيع واأقدم موظف جملة اأسغر مع الذكريات حوار حديث 2010 ص 7-8 وانظر httpwwwaddcaepub3523-ADDC-june)A(pdf الأربعاء 2013-11-13

63 Al Nassai ldquoI liked lsquodistributionrsquo since it is associated with people and deals directly with the


PB40

publicrdquo Tawzea Magazine Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Distribution Company 11th edition January 2013 P 13 See

httpwwwaddcaepubADDC20News20January202013pdf

Wednesday 13112013

64 The Bahraini Dinar was issued in Bahrain in 1965 It was used until July 1966 when the Indian Government devalued the Indian Rupee by 35 in that same year See Mana Saeed Al Otaiba Abu Dhabirsquos Economy in the Past and Present Beirut Commerce and Industry Press 1973 p 218

فاطمة احلاج عبداهلل حممد احلربوص التطور التاريخي لإمارات الساحل املتسالح من مطلع القرن العسرين 65وحتى قيام دولة الإمارات العربية املتحدة دراسة توثيقية دبي موؤسسة التعاون للعالقات العامة 2008 ص95

حممد فارص الفارص زايد يف الوثائق الربيطانية اأبوظبي املجلص الوطني لالإعالم 2008 ص 148 66

اأبوظبي جملة تراث 67 بسرعة تنمو اأبوظبي )4-4(69 اأبوظبي عام البسام سحفية كويتية تتحدث عن خالد العدد 20 يوليو 2000 ص27

املرجع السابق 68

خالد البسام سحفية كويتية تتحدث عن اأبوظبي ص 27 69

دائرة الكهرباء واملاء ص 10 70

4 على 71 باأبوظبي ص والكهرباء املاء بدايات خدمات اأسرار raquoتوزيعlaquo خزانة يفتح ملجلة سرور بن حممد السيخ سبكة الإنرتنت



Editor-In-ChiefDr Abdulla M Al Raisi

Director General of the National Archives

Deputy Editor-In-ChiefMajid Sultan Al Mehairi

Managing EditorDr L Usra Soffan

Editorial BoardDr Jayanti Maitra

Farhan Al MarzooqiSaeed Al Suwaidi

Gregory Keith Iverson PhD

Editorial SecretaryNouf Salem Al Junaibi

Design amp LayoutMakkai Noordheen

National Archives 2017 copyAbu Dhabi United Arab Emirates

The Editor of the Liwa Journal (ISSN 1729-9039) invites the submission of original and unpublished scholarly articles in English and Arabic related to archaeology history andheritage of the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region

Manuscripts and all other correspondences concerning lsquoLiwarsquo should be addressed to liwanaae

Books sent for review in the Journal cannot be returned

For more details about lsquoLiwarsquo and subscriptions access wwwnaae

The views expressed in this issue are those of the individual authors and do not necessarilyreflect the views of the Editorial Board or the National Archives

Printed in the National Archives Printing Press

1



32

Contents



3



25

3







54






5






76







7







98







9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013










1



32

Contents



3



25

3







54






5






76







7







98







9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013










32

Contents



3



25

3







54






5






76







7







98







9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013










3







54






5






76







7







98







9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











54






5






76







7







98







9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











5






76







7







98







9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











76







7







98







9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











7







98







9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











98







9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











9




1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











1110








11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











11





1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











1312




13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











13








1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











1514






15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











15



2 Education



1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











1716

3 Medical services





17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











17






1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











1918




Beekeeping




19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











19






2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











2120

Endnotes



3 Ibid 24











1999 ص 66








21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











21










29 Ibid 140











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











2322






















23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











23

186 176





















25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013










25


2524










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013










2525


Introduction








2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











2726








27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











27








2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











2928





29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











29







3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











3130









31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











31







3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











3332








33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











33







3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











3534






Conclusion




35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











35




3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











3736

Endnotes
















37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











37




















3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











3938



















39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











39





















PB40



Wednesday 13112013











PB40



Wednesday 13112013








