First published in 2006. The history of Qatar from the Portuguese bombardment of 1627 to the conclusion of the Treaty of 1916 is a hitherto untold story of destructions, wars, battles, conflicts, intrigues, conspiracy and strategic contests originating in the ashes of the north-west coast of the peninsula and brought to a conclusion at al-Bida (later Doha). The present work examines the years of frustration and upheaval that led to the emergence of Qatar