Britain and the Administration of the Trucial States, 1947-1965

For over 150 years, from 1820 up to the foundation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, Britain and the emirates of the eastern Arabian Peninsula were linked by a relationship that was unique when compared to the traditional colonial models exercised in India and elsewhere. Using original archival material as well as select secondary sources, this study charts the history of Britain's involvement in the evolution of the Trucial States - the predecessors of the modern-day United Arab Emirates - with a focus on its role in the foundation and growth of their administrative structures, security, and socio-economic development. The study explores the evolution of the area's first security force in the early 1950s - theTrucial Oman Levies (TOL). Founded and trained by the British, the Levies played a key role in the security and development of the emirates. Re-named the Trucial Oman Scouts (TOS) in the mid-1950s, they were instrumental in building the police forces in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al-Khaimah and Sharjah, and eventually formed the nucleus of the UAE Armed Forces following the foundation of the UAE federation.Also discussed in some detail is the evolution of the Trucial States Council, from its formation with British assistance and encouragement in 1952, up to 1965 when the rulers of the emirates assumed the revolving chairmanship of the Council for the first time. Through its various committees, the Council played a critical role in overseeing the socio-economic development of the emirates, allocating and directing the developmental, medical and educational aid provided by Britain. Through these focus areas, this book provides a unique analysis of the role played by Britain in the internal administration of the Trucial States up to 1965, offering both scholars and casual readers valuable insight into the early administrative developments which would ultimately form the foundations of the United Arab Emirates as a modern-day federation.