Following their conquest of Bahrain, the new masters had to set up new arrangements in the islands. While they needed strong allies in the new colony, their tendency towards tribal autonomy increased. This chapter illustrates the steps taken by the Al Khalifa to ensure their dominance over Bahrain. From the distribution of triumph spoils among the allied tribes to the ensuring of regional arrangements, the Al Khalifa applied various tactics and strategies to hold on to power in their shaykhdom. This chapter illustrates the most significant era that has defined the Al Khalifa's political-cum-tribal identity. It studies the transformation of the Al Khalifa's joint rulership model to an instituted form of shared power and territorial prerogative. It also observes the main events which led the Al Khalifa to secede from the ‘Utubi confederation and shape their outer tribal boundaries. The dispute between them and their ‘Utubi brethren, the al-Jalahima, will show how ‘asabiyya served their ambitions towards a more independent dynastic rulership. Meanwhile, despite serious challenges and damages, the shaykhdom prospered and the Al Khalifa became stronger.

Post-Conquest Rewards

Soon after the capture of Bahrain, the Al Khalifa, whose numbers at the time were not large, gave very limited power to the allied factions. Unlike in Kuwait where they co-ruled with other ‘Utubi parties, or in Zubara where they had had to form alliances with other resident and neighbouring tribes, the Al Khalifa in Bahrain pursued a new strategy of centralised rule. They kept a pragmatic distance from their associates, specifically those who had supported the operations of conquest, and more particularly those of the other ‘Utubi clans. The sharing of post-possession spoils was an inevitable tactic to maintain control of the islands, not only to prevent them being retrieved by the Al Madhkur or other threatening regional powers, but also to reward the combat partners with a gesture of gratitude. As Captain Robert Taylor describes, “[a]ll those who would join them, and co-operate in the reduction of Bahrein, were upheld by the promise of grants of land, money, and exclusive privileges of tenure.” Those associated with the conquest were invited to migrate with their families to the new colony.