Volume 8 • Number 17 • June 2017 ISSN 1729-9039 Liwa Journal of the National Archives Editor-In-Chief Dr. Abdulla M. Al Raisi Director General of the National Archives Deputy Editor-In-Chief Majid Sultan Al Mehairi Managing Editor Dr. L. Usra Soffan Editorial Board Dr. Jayanti Maitra Farhan Al Marzooqi Saeed Al Suwaidi Gregory Keith Iverson, Ph.D. Editorial Secretary Nouf Salem Al Junaibi Design & Layout Makkai Noordheen National Archives, 2017 © Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates The Editor of theLiwa Journal (ISSN 1729-9039) invites the submission of original and unpublished scholarly articles in English and Arabic related to archaeology, history and heritage of the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region. Manuscripts and all other correspondences concerning ‘Liwa’ should be addressed to: [email protected] Books sent for review in the Journal cannot be returned. 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Printed in the National Archives Printing Press LiwaJournal of the National Archives Volume 8 • Number 17 • June 2017 1 Contents Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (1906-1977) Shamsa Hamad Al Abd Al Dhaheri 3 Researcher, Zayed Centre for Studies and Research Establishment of Electrical Services in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Prior to the Formation of the UAE 25 Aisha Saeed Al Qaidi Researcher 2 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 brother’s 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 “Seeh Al Dam”. 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 Khalid’s 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 Khalid’s 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. 3 Shamsa Hamad Al Abd Al Dhaheri Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Al Nahyan within the walls of Qasr Al Hosn,1955. © BP plc Date of Birth and Upbringing As regards Sheikh Khalid’s 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 “he is a 28-29 year old man”.1 The English writer, Claude Morris, in his well-known book, “The Desert Falcon”, mentioned a date of birth which made Sheikh Khalid a few years younger. He writes: “Sheikh Khalid was 62 years old in 1974”. Thus, according to Morris, he was born in 1912.2 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 1913.3 It is likely, that Sheikh Khalid was born in the area of Jawa’, in the village of Mujib, where his father had his date palm orchards.4 However, it cannot be confirmed that it was he, and not his brother Hazza, who was born in that location west of Abu Dhabi.5 Sheikh Khalid had four siblings, the eldest being Shakhbut, followed by Hazza’, Zayed and their sister, Maryam. Khalid was born after Hazza’. Information about Khalid’s 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 4 5 Sheikh Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (1906-1977) power and influence in Abu Dhabi.6 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 Mauritania,7 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 Persia,8 and Mohamed Al Khayar, as mentioned in another source.9 A raconteur who studied with Sheikh Khalid in an Abu Dhabi School recollects: “I studied here in Abu Dhabi with Sheikhs Shakhbut, Hazza’, Khalid and their sister Maryam under Sayed Aqil Al Farsi, a Sharif, who was a judge and imam of the Al Seer mosque.”10 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 unexpectedly.11 His father’s death, and the grievous injury that he himself had suffered on that occasion, had a deep impact on his life. Khalid in “Diwan Al Wejha Al Dhahabiya” 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 Khalid’s father, wanted to take Khalid to treat his wounds.12 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 “Diwan Al Wejha Al Dhahabiya”, this doctor recounted his trip to Abu Dhabi and that he gave the necessary treatment to Sheikh Khalid.13 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. Bahzad’s memoirs, he stayed in Abu Dhabi for five months.14 5 Shamsa Hamad Al Abd Al Dhaheri Such an ordeal had a powerful effect on Sheikh Khalid. He spent nearly two years under the care of his mother’s family, during which he received the best possible healthcare,15 and was able to overcome his trauma once the situation in Abu Dhabi stabilized after his brother, Sheikh Shakhbut, assumed power in 1928. Sheikh Khalid’s marriage was arranged by his mother, Sheikha Salama, to a relative of hers, and he became engaged to his maternal cousin, Sheikha Moza Bint Butti.16 Mrs. Susan Hillyard, the wife of ADMA’s representative, Tim Hillyard, describes his wife as follows: “Sheikh Khalid has a kind and pleasant wife whom he is proud of”.17 Sheikh Khalid could not stay away from his mother and brothers.