Sheikhdom of al-ʽIrqa

The Sheikhdom of al-ʽIrqa (Arabic: مشيخة آل عرقة, romanizedMashyakhat al-ʽIrqa[2]) was a city-state[3] which was part of the Protectorate of South Arabia, and existed from the 19th century to 1951.

Sheikhdom of al-ʽIrqa
مشيخة آل عرقة
19th century–1951
Map of the Sheikhdoms of al-Hawra and al-ʽIrqa in 1926
Map of the Sheikhdoms of al-Hawra and al-ʽIrqa in 1926
Irqa is located in Yemen
Irqa
Irqa
Irqa within modern Yemen
CapitalIrqa[1] (city-state)
Religion
Islam
GovernmentSheikhdom
Sheikh 
• bef. 1888 – 1901
`Awad ibn Muhammad Ba Das
• 1901 – 1935
Ahmad ibn `Awad Ba Das
• 1935 – 1951
Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Awad Ba Das (last)
History 
• Established
19th century
• British protectorate
1890
• Disestablished
1951
Population
• 1946
500
Today part ofYemen

History

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The Sheikhdom was established in the 19th century.[4]

Starting in 1888, the Shaikh of Irqa received a stipend from the British Empire.[5] A Protectorate Treaty was concluded with him in that year on 27 April,[6] and was ratified on 26 February 1890.[5]

Shaikh Awadh bin Muhammad ba Das died in January 1901. He was succeeded by Shaikh Ahmed bin Awadh bin Muhammad ba Das. A new Protectorate Treaty was concluded with the latter in January 1902, when his stipend was increased from 80 to 180 dollars.[5]

Shaikh Ahmed bin Awadh ba Das died on 21 October 1935. His grandson, Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Awad Ba Das, was elected as his successor the following day.[7]

In c. 1951, Irqa was incorporated into Wahidi Balhaf.[2]

Rulers

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The rulers of al-`Irqa bore the title Shaykh al-`Irqa.[2]

Sheiks

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  1. `Awad ibn Muhammad Ba Das, bef. 27 April 1888[6] – 2 January 1901[2]
  2. Ahmad ibn `Awad Ba Das, 1901[2] – 21 October 1935[7]
  3. Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Awad Ba Das, 22 October 1935[7] – 1951[2]

Demographics

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In 1946, the Sheikhdom of al-`Irqa had a population of 500.[8]

Geography

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A report in 1946 described al-`Irqa as a "small fishing village".[9]

References

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  1. ^ Naval (28 October 2013). Western Arabia & The Red Sea. Routledge. p. 363. ISBN 9781136209956.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "States of the Aden Protectorates". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  3. ^ Naval (28 October 2013). Western Arabia & The Red Sea. Routledge. p. 345. ISBN 9781136209956. The 'Abdali Sultanate of Lahej and the Qu'aiti Sultanate of Mukalla are sufficiently organized to be described as states, while other territories, such as the Sheikhdom of 'Irqa, consist of a single town.
  4. ^ "WHKMLA : History of Yemen". www.zum.de. Retrieved 23 June 2019. al-Irqa (19th c-1967)
  5. ^ a b c Aitchison, G (1931). A Collection Of Treaties, Engagements And Sanads Relating To India And Neighbouring Countries. Vol. xi. Government of India. pp. 15–16.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ a b Aitchison, G (1931). A Collection Of Treaties, Engagements And Sanads Relating To India And Neighbouring Countries. Vol. xi. Government of India. p. 110.
  7. ^ a b c Reilly, B. (15 January 1936). "Letter to the residency of Aden". Qatar Digital Library. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  8. ^ An Economic Survey of the Colonial Territories. H.M. Stationery Office. 1951. p. 134.
  9. ^ Division, Great Britain Naval Intelligence (1946). Western Arabia and the Red Sea. Naval Intelligence Division. p. 147.