Creating the Arabian Gulf (eBook)

The British Raj and the Invasions of the Gulf

Paul J. Rich (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2009
360 Seiten
Lexington Books (Verlag)
978-0-7391-4158-8 (ISBN)

Infos

Whether called 'Arabian' or 'Persian,' the Gulf is one of the most politically important regions of the world, and its history is necessary in understanding the contemporary Middle East. Paul Rich draws on previously closed archives to document the actual heritage of the area and dispel the myths, showing that the influences of Britain and India are far deeper than commonly acknowledged, and that the sheikhs are actually the creation of the British Raj.

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Even whether to call the Gulf "e;Arabian"e; or "e;Persian"e; is an unending argument. Regardless of its name, the Gulf is one of the most politically important regions of the world. Despite its constant presence in the headlines, the fact that it was part of the British Indian empire for many years has gone unappreciated. The long period of British control and the connections with India are, in fact, necessary in understanding the contemporary Middle East. With more than ten years of experience as a government advisor in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Paul Rich draws on previously closed archives to document the actual heritage of the area and dispel the myths. Rich shows that the influences of Britain and India are far deeper than commonly acknowledged, and that the sheikhs are actually the creation of the British Raj. He explains that they owe their thrones to a small group of British political agents-the "e;Heaven Born"e;-who created the satraps and then proceeded to rule from behind the scenes by a clever use of stagecraft and ritual that was heavily flavored by their experiences at English public schools and in Masonic lodges. In its attempt to make sense of the complexity of Arab sheikhdoms in the Gulf, Creating the Arabian Gulf is an ideal book for students and scholars interested in Middle East studies and international relations.

Autor

Paul J. Rich is president of the Policy Studies Organization in Washington, D.C. and visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He was the head of supervisory programs for the Ministry of Education and Culture in Qatar for twelve years. Dr. Rich is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society, recipient of the Cameron Medal for social science research, and Life Governor of Harris Manchester College in the University of Oxford.

Inhalt

Chapter 1 Preface to the Lexington Books EditionChapter 2 Preface:Kuwait, The Raj, and RitualocracyChapter 3 Introduction:Taller BoysPart 4 Part II. Rituals of RuleChapter 5 Chapter I. Viceregal RitualismChapter 6 Chapter II. Indian ConnectionsChapter 7 Chapter III. Old Boy PanacheChapter 8 Chapter IV. Gulf HistoriographyChapter 9 Chapter V. Psychohistory and the ArabsChapter 10 Chapter VI. Orientalist FreemasonryChapter 11 Chapter VII. School TarotPart 12 Part II. Rulers by EliteChapter 13 Chapter VIII. Square Pegs, Round HolesChapter 14 Chapter IX. BiographiesChapter 15 Chapter X. "That Was That"Chapter 16 Epilogue:The Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 16.8.2009
• Reihe/Serie: Middle East Classics
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sonstiges ► Geschenkbücher
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Geschichte ► Regional- / Ländergeschichte
• ISBN-10: 0-7391-4158-9 / 0739141589
• ISBN-13: 978-0-7391-4158-8 / 9780739141588