Empire 279. Partition: How Dubai Almost Became Part of India (Part 2)
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Aug 6, 2025 Join Sam Dalrymple, author of Shattered Lands, as he explores the fascinating intersections between the Arabian Peninsula and India. Discover how much of the Gulf was once legally part of the Indian Raj and the influence of Indian nationalists on the founding fathers of Yemen. Unearth stories of a British spy entangled in Cold War intrigue and the strategic decisions that led India to reject control of Dubai before its oil boom. Dive into the colonial echoes that shaped the region's political dynamics and the potential 'what-ifs' of a different historical trajectory.
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Arabian Peninsula as Part of India
- Much of the Arabian Peninsula was legally part of British India under the Bombay presidency, including Oman, Yemen, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
- These areas were considered princely states of Bombay and governed as a peripheral part of the Raj but are forgotten today.
Gulf States' Low Imperial Rank
- The rulers of Gulf states like Dubai were low ranked princely states with zero or one-gun salutes, unlike major Indian princely states like Hyderabad.
- These sheikhs had lower status despite the future wealth of their territories.
Arabian Princes Educated in India
- Arabian princes sent their sons to Indian boarding schools like Mayo College, fostering ties with Indian princes.
- Omani sultans were often more fluent in Urdu than Arabic, affecting their connection to their people.
