Compendium of the Histories’ supports researchers: Sultan

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, spoke in a televised interview with Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA), broadcast on Sharjah TV, about his latest publication titled “The Compendium of the Histories of the Arabian Peninsula and Persia 1622 CE to 1810 CE.”

Sheikh Sultan explained that this publication serves as a continuation of his previous work “The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman.”

It presents the complete history of the region in chronological annals, comprising 33 volumes in Arabic and 33 in English, containing 1,473 historical documents, and is also available in a digital USB format.

He added that the work was titled “The Compendium of the Histories” because it gathers all documents chronicling that era, including English, Dutch, French, and Ottoman records, along with references to Portuguese documents previously included in “The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman.”

The Ruler of Sharjah also used symbols to reference explanations in the margins and applied Arabic transliteration for foreign words only at their first mention, then used the Arabic term consistently throughout the rest of the text.

Sheikh Sultan affirmed that The Compendium of the Histories serves as a comprehensive research resource for scholars.

He acknowledged the challenges researchers face in travelling between distant countries and translating vast archival materials, which could lead to wasted effort if relevant sources are not found.

To assist researchers and reduce the daunting task of navigating the 1,473 documents within the collection, the Ruler of Sharjah included a Researcher’s Guide with the volumes.

The guide lists document numbers, topics, and locations within the collection, allowing scholars to easily find materials related to their studies, for example, searching for “the fall of Hormuz” and locating all corresponding document references and page numbers.

Sheikh Sultan stressed that researchers must cite the original source of the document in their studies and not The Compendium of the Histories itself.

By publishing The Compendium of the Histories, Sheikh Sultan made the original documents accessible to scholars as their primary reference.

For academic integrity, researchers may mention in the introduction of their studies that most of the documents were sourced from Sheikh Sultan, without repeating the reference after each citation.

He explained that many researchers around the world— from China, South America, North America, and Portugal itself—study his publication The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman.

He expressed his hope that future research based on The Compendium of the Histories of the Arabian Peninsula and Persia and The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman will enrich and clarify historical understanding.

He cited an example of his interpretation when asked about cannons found near the island of Masirah in Oman, confirming that they were remnants of a naval battle between Turkish and Portuguese fleets—an event detailed in The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman, which researchers can refer to for deeper study.

Sheikh Sultan also discussed Oman’s rich history and strategic importance, noting that every ruler who came to power was devoted to national unity and collective belonging—a rare phenomenon.

For this reason, the Ruler of Sharjah titled his comprehensive study of Oman’s history from early human settlement to the Al Busaid dynasty Sultan Al Tawarikh—meaning The Master of Histories, as it represents truth and evidence. He emphasised that the work closely examines Omani history, documenting all the tribes that ruled without excluding any, allowing Omanis to take pride in their heritage while offering scholars a valuable source for academic research.

Sheikh Sultan concluded by expressing his wish that every country may radiate scientific and cultural enlightenment. With universities now established across Arab and Gulf nations, their students can benefit from these studies, archives, and learning sources to research and document the region’s history through their own efforts.

He emphasised that this academic empowerment strengthens knowledge across disciplines and ensures the preservation and promotion of authentic Arab identity.

WAM