The First Saudi State was established in the year 1744 (1157 H.) when the Wahhabi leader Sheikh Mohammed ibn Abd al Wahhab settled in Diriyah and Prince Mohammed Ibn Saud agreed to support and espouse his cause, with a view to cleansing the Islamic faith from distortions. The House of Saud with other allies rose to become the dominat state in Arabia controlling most of the Najd, but not either coast.
This Saudi state lasted for about seventy-five years.
Concerned at the growing power of the Saudis the Ottoman Sultan instructed Mohammed Ali Pasha to reconquer the area. Ali sent his son Ibrahim Pasha who was successful in routing the Saudi/Wahhabi forces in 1817.
It would only be a few years before the Sauds would return to power, forming the modern Saudi Arabia.
Rulers of the first Saudi state:
Last updated: 08-08-2005 04:26:08
