CHRONOLOGY Early History Origins No Historical Evidence Exists
CHRONOLOGY Early History origins No historical evidence exists regarding the origins of Muscat, although it seems likely that it may be several millennia old or more. Prehistoric set- tlements and burial grounds dating from the 4th millennium B.C. exist at Bandar Jissah, al- Wutayyah, Ra"s al-Hamra", Bawshar, al-Saruj, al-Khuwayr, and elsewhere in the capital area. Prehistoric rock art also exists in Wadi 'Adayy. 696 A fleet sent by al-Hajjaj b. Yusuf, the Umayyad governor of Iraq, is said to anchor at Bandar Jissah and land troops at Yiti, who march to Wadi Hatat where they are defeated by the Omanis. 865 Fortress town of Dama, location of an important pre-Islamic fair and site of present-day al-Sib, is destroyed by floods. 9th through Muscat is mentioned by Arab sources as a fishing 13th centuries village and as a source of water for ships setting off across the Indian Ocean. 11th century Muscat becomes a prominent port under the Kings of Hormuz, based at Qalhat in Oman. late 15th century Muscat eclipses Qalhat as Oman’s main coastal entrepôt. The Portuguese and al-Ya'aribah Period 1507 Portuguese fleet under Afonso d’Albuquerque reaches Omani coast near Masirah, passes Sur, takes Qalhat without resistance, and captures Quriyat after a severe battle. The Portuguese find Muscat defended by seafront ramparts and, after the failure of negotiations, bombard the town 118 chronology and mount a twin-pronged assault. Muscat is captured after a fierce struggle and most of its inhabitants are put to death. The town is then pillaged and burned to the ground, including the mosque, after the inhabitants fail to provide a ransom, as the Portuguese set sail for Suhar.
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