Al Busaid State: 281 years of enduring legacy

The Al Busaid State Foundation Day, by Imam Sayyid Ahmed bin Said, in 1744, was a pivotal event and a landmark in Omani history. It laid the foundations of national unity and delineated the contours of national sovereignty.

Since that time, the Al Busaid State has remained at the forefront of steering the state’s course, preserving its internal balance, confronting external challenges, upholding the values of stability and openness, and continuing the march of nation-building.

Dr Nasser bin Abdullah al Saqri, Assistant Professor of Modern History in the Department of History at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), said that the rule of the Founding Imam, Sayyid Ahmed bin Said al Busaidy, established the roots of the Al Busaid State and set the foundations of leadership that made him a pivotal figure in confronting internal and external challenges, extending to the establishment of the concept of national sovereignty, which remains to this day the cornerstone of the independence of Omani political decision-making.

His legacy also illustrates how the Al Busaid State has been able to maintain the stability of the state over the centuries, while enhancing national unity, so that the Founding Imam’s project remains a living reference for the new generation in understanding leadership and national strategy.

EVOLVING HISTORICAL STAGES
Dr Bahiya bint Said al Athobiyah, a researcher in Omani history, said that the Al Busaid State continued the project of building the modern state through integrated and evolving historical stages. It began with consolidating the foundations of governance and stability during the era of Imam Sayyid Ahmed bin Said, who established the pillars of the Al Busaid State upon assuming power in 1744. It then evolved and expanded to include the economic, military, and administrative fields, which in turn contributed to making Oman an influential force in the Indian Ocean and East Africa.
She added that this trajectory continued to evolve under the subsequent Sultans, specifically during the era of Sayyid Said bin Sultan, under whom Oman achieved great expansion in all fields domestically and regionally.

It then reached its peak in the modern era under the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour, beginning in 1970, when the country witnessed a comprehensive renaissance extending to all sectors — from education, health, and infrastructure to economic and social development. His reign, she said, was also distinguished by the adoption of a policy of positive neutrality and quiet diplomacy, which enabled Oman to assume the role of a trusted mediator in resolving many regional and international conflicts, earning it global respect and appreciation.

She emphasised that during the prosperous era of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Oman has entered a new stage of Renewed Renaissance since 2020, focusing on deep administrative and economic reforms, modernising the machinery of government, and implementing Oman Vision 2040, which aims to diversify income sources away from reliance on oil and to develop vital sectors such as tourism, logistics, and manufacturing, in addition to empowering youth and investing in human capital.

MUTUAL LOYALTY

Regarding the nature of the relationship between the Omani people and the Al Busaidy leadership, and how this relationship helped overcome national challenges, Dr Bahiya said that it has been characterised by a unique mutual loyalty and cohesion. It is, she added, reinforced by the leadership’s commitment to direct and open communication with citizens through public councils and periodic meetings to listen to their concerns and aspirations.

GEOGRAPHICAL CHALLENGE
Dr Yunis bin Jameel al Numani, a researcher and writer in history, pointed out that geography has posed a challenge for Oman: the sea before them, and mountains and desert behind them. Consequently, the response was to take to the sea and explore its depths, so Omani ships reached China, the Malay Archipelago, and Indonesia. Dr Hanan bint Mahmoud Ahmed, a researcher in Omani cultural identity, emphasised to Oman News Agency that national days and occasions play a vital role in rooting national identity and entrenching a sense of belonging and national unity among people.
The importance of celebrating national memory on a specific national day lies in reviving and recalling various historical scenes, and in inspiring Omani symbols and figures to renew allegiance and to preserve the fabric of the relationship between the citizen and the nation. During the era of Sultan Sayyid Faisal bin Turki (1888–1913), he continued his diligent pursuit of what the Imams and Sultans before him had started in the renaissance of Oman and in consolidating its trade, political, and economic relations with various countries of the world.
LEADERSHIP SYMBOL
As for the role of the Founding Imam, Ahmed bin Said, in establishing the foundations of the modern Omani state and unifying it politically, economically, and socially, Dr Rana bint Hamdan al Dhoyaniyah, a researcher and writer in history, pointed out that the Founding Imam is considered a leadership symbol who was able to achieve Omani unity.
She added that the Founding Imam implemented a prudent economic policy; he abolished taxes, which contributed to attracting merchants to his administration. This confirms his personal commercial expertise and illustrates his deep understanding of commercial movement and its course, as he started as a merchant, and this had an impact on shaping his personality.
Regarding the role of the women of the Al Busaid State in the political sphere, Dr Ahlam bint Hamoud al Jahwariyah, a researcher and writer in history, pointed out that their role was not incidental or marginal, but rather an integral part of the journey of this ancient family, whose legacy and extended history we celebrate today since 1744. She said that as we celebrate this solemn occasion, we revive the biographies of women from the Al Busaid State who played important roles in the course of governance and the transfer of power, and of others who had an impact and influence on the civilisational scene in general.
The Al Busaid State remains a fundamental pillar of nation-building in Oman, and an immortal legacy for Oman to continue, under the wise leadership of His Majesty, the march of building and renaissance.