Sunday, January 16, 2005
Blog Quiz #1
This is a simple quiz to test your knoweledge of A-B-C Bahraini History. If you're Bahraini then you should know the answer to these basic questions, just like you know about American or European History, American civil war, French revolution, WW1/2 etc. Although not exactly questions that will be appearing in Trivial Pursuit, I hope you all have a bash!
- What was the capital of Bahrain during the middle ages and who moved it to Manama?
- Name two families who ruled Bahrain for a total period of over 250 years before Alkhalifa?
- From the 6th-16th century what were the islands known as Bahrain today called back then?
- Who ruled Bahrain from 1058-1238?
- What is the town called Zinj named after?
- What was the name of the old capital of ‘Iqleem al Bahrain’- that stretched from Basrah to the Strait of Hormuz including the archipelago known as Bahrain today ?
- What year did the battle of 'dul3' occur in Bahrain and who was it between?
- Towards the end of the 19th century, Sheikh Ali bin Issa Alkhalifa divided Bahrain up into different provinces assigning a different rular over each province from his family. In each province, the rular was free to set his own laws and tax rates. Who ruled the Jidhafs and Sitra province?
Non-Bahraini persons who score full marks will be given a head-start in the queue for a free Bahraini passport (Yemeni special edition). Bahrainis, you should already know this so don't deserve a prize :)
Answers will be revealed in a week's time once I find them out myself :)
Read or Post a Comment
Even though I'm not Bahraini, I feel embarassed that I don't even have a clue about these questions. I always thought I knew a fair amount about Bahrain...it seems I don't. I will make a few educated guesses.
1. The capital was near where Riffa is now, near the Riffa Fort (a good defendable location)
3. Were they called Dilmun, or is this about a couple of thousand years too soon!
I'll go do some reading and i'll have another go!
I look forward to hearing the answers!
Chris
Posted by chrisamillion
Q.9 Why you Islamic extremist?
Posted by Anonymous
Lemme see what I know, considering that Bahrain's real history was NEVER documented properly.
If I am wrong and anyone knows of any books/ sources we could read, buy, borrow or even steal, please let me know.
Anyway, here is my answer to question number 1:
1. Could be Bilad Al Qadeem.. no pun intended ;)
Bahrania, where on earth did u get those questions from?
The fact that they are specific and not as general as the ones posted on www.freeahmed.blogspot.com where I started the daily Quiz shows that u have really researched this topic carefully and have something explosive to share with us.
Come on... tell us...
Posted by Silly Girl
Oh perfect! I've been studying this stuff recently so many of the answers are still at the top of my head. So these are my answers:
1. Dunno
2. The Al Asfoor and the Al Jaboor
3. Awal
4. The Ayounis
5. Don't know exactly why, but it has something to do with the Zenj rebellion against the Abbasids which was lead from Bahrain.
6. Not too sure but was it Hajar?
7. Dunno.. but I'll take a guess.. is this another name for the Battle of Zubara between Nasr bin Madhkur and the Al-Khalifa?? (or maybe one of the lesser battles after when the Al-Khalifa invaded Bahrain)
8. You mean Isa bin Ali in your question I assume, right? But I dont know who governed the province.
I'll try looking up the ones I missed to see if I can find the answers. But thanks for the questions, this was fun!
Posted by Chan'ad
Chrisamillion: Try harder mate :)
SG: just one question?? u can do better. Your quizzes are more journalistic investigative questions on contemporary matters where the answers are subjective. This quiz is intended to relate some historical facts that I came to learn through friends, and reading here and there.
Chan'ad: Trust you Mr Smartass... I should have excluded you from this Quiz :) Now i'm not saying your answers are right..
Come on guys...i don't want one word answers...i want you to cite references, expand on the answers, give us a nice little story, so we can all learn something.
If I get positive feedback on this one, i'll make sure the next quiz is slightly harder.
Posted by Bahrania
I am trying....I think I have a few more answers...i'll wait untill I have a few more before the "final reveal"1
Talk to you soon!
Posted by chrisamillion
1. Old Capital - The Carmathians used Al Hajar as their base when they "kidnapped" the Black Stone from within the Kaba in Mecca. I am not sure when Manama became the capital (and under whose watch) and this is the only other reference to an ancient capital.
2. Families - The Al Asfoor governed from 1238 to 1453, and the Juboor from 1453 to 1521. What isn't clear is what the relationship was with the surrounding emirates, as the Bani Qais and rulers of Oman would occupy the islands every now and then. In 1521, the Portuguese separated Awal from Al Iqlim. In 1602, the Safavvid Persian Empire assumed control over Bahrain. These two non-familial entites account for governance over Bahrain immediately preceding 1783, the date of the Al Khalifa's first occupation of the islands. 1238 to 1521 is about 283 years, while 1521 to 1783 is 262 years. Ok, so which ones is it?
3. 600-1600 - Awal, which is derived from the name of a pre-Islamic deity
4. 1058-1252 - The Ayounis5. Zinj - The Zenj revolt against the Abassids in 863 AD.
6. Capital of Iqleem - Iqlim Al Bahrain stretched from Kuwait to the Straits of Hormuz. Accounts differ as to whether it was administered from Al Hasa, Al Qatif (both along Saudi Arabia's east coast) and from the Bahrain islands themselves.
7. Dulg Battle - No Clue
8. Jidhafs - No Clue, but I am assuming that it was an Al Khalifa
Posted by Desert Island Boy
man....Desery Island Boy beat me to it....damn my computer for freezing! Here's what I've got so far:
1.What was the capital of Bahrain during the middle ages and who moved it to Manama?
Nothing yet
2. Name two families who ruled Bahrain for a total period of over 250 years before Alkhalifa?
Al-Khalifa from 1783 to 1800
The Al-Khalifa were kicked out in 1800 by the Omanis. The Omanis occupied Bahrain from two years. The Al-Khalifa cooperated with the Wahabis and came back to Bahrain. In 1802, the Wahabi ruled until 1811. In 1811, the Al-Khaliofa cooperated with Omanis against the Wahabis. The Al-Khalifa returned in 1811
http://www.vob.org/english/information-db/data.htm
3. From the 6th-16th century what were the islands known as Bahrain today called back then?
Awal (see question 6), before that they were called Tylos (names by the greeks)
4. Who ruled Bahrain from 1058-1238?
The Buyid's in the late 10th Century controlled most of the Gulf, as far south as Oman. in the 1220s and 1230s the Zangids (from Mosul, Iraq) sent troops down
Source: http://reference.allrefer.com/country-guide-study/bahrain/bahrain12.html
and
Between 1058 - 1238 CE: Bahrain was ruled by "Oyonion" who were from Abdul-Qais Tribe. In this period Bahrain became a prestigious center of philosophy and knowledge.
http://www.vob.org/english/information-db/data.htm
5. What is the town called Zinj named after?
The Zenj Revolt of 863-883CE: The slaves revolted in Basra against the Abbasid. The leader of th rebelion (Taleqan) was based in Bahrain. Nowadys there is a village in Bahrain called "Zenj".
6. What was the name of the old capital of ‘Iqleem al Bahrain’- that stretched from Basrah to the Strait of Hormuz including the archipelago known as Bahrain today ?
Iqleem al-Bahrain was divided into three provinces: Hajar (nowadays Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia), Al-Khatt (nowadays Al-Qatif in Saudi Arabia) and Awal (nowadays Bahrain). The name Awal remained in use, probably, for eight centuries. Awal was derived from the name of an idol that used to be worshipped (before Islam) by the inhabitants of the islands. One of these provinces was probabliy capital. My guess in on Awal
7. What year did the battle of 'dul3' occur in Bahrain and who was it between?
nothing yet
8.Towards the end of the 19th century, Sheikh Ali bin Issa Alkhalifa divided Bahrain up into different provinces assigning a different rular over each province from his family. In each province, the rular was free to set his own laws and tax rates. Who ruled the Jidhafs and Sitra province?
Nohting yet
Sources:
http://www.bahrain.gov.bh/English/bahrain/History.asp
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/817505.stm
http://www.settlement.org/cp/english/bahrain/alook.html
http://www.gomideast.com/Bahrain/index.htm
http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/198404/bahrain.through.the.ages.htm
http://reference.allrefer.com/country-guide-study/bahrain/
http://www.vob.org/english/information-db/data.htm
http://www.msc.navy.mil/msccent/bahrainhistory.htm
If you only read one website read this one:
http://www.vob.org/english/information-db/data.htm
Posted by chrisamillion
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
I must say i'm impressed..... with Google that is. Some of the links you have given make an interesting read indeed.
However, 2 questions remain unanswered, and a few just seem to be hunches. I will give you a few more days to dig into the books, as I compose the next set of questions which are going to be upped ten notches in difficulty... i can already see you wriggling in your seats with excitement...oh yes..and there is Chan'ad with his hand up in the back of the class, "Miss me me me...i know the answer.."
Posted by Bahrania
Question 9 needs rephrasing:
9. Towards the end of the 19th century, Sheikh Issa bin Ali Alkhalifa divided Bahrain up into different fiefdoms assigning a different rular from his family over each fiefdom. In each fiefdom, the rular was free to set his own laws and tax rates. Who ruled the Jidhafs and Sitra province?
Posted by Bahrania
1. It was blad al kadeem, and the portugeuse moved it to manama.
2. The Al Asfoor and Al Juboor.
3.Awal
4. The Ayounis.
5. Due to the Zinj revolt against the Abbasids.
6.There is debate on which one was the capital. I'm sure Bahrania's sources would tell hus it's present day Bahrain.
7. Ma3rakat al thul3 was fought between the Khalifas themselves in 1869, particularly between ali bin khalifa and mohammed al khalifa, where ali bin khalifa al khalifa and his successor (son) were killed.
8. Sitra was khalid bin ali bin khalifa alkhalifa. Jidhafs was abdulla bin isa bin ali alkhalifa.
Now me lady.. what's my prize for being a smart ass? It better be something good.
Posted by homer simpson
Masha'allah...i didn't expect such a massive response. Bloggers, my friends and comrades, you have earned my sincerest admiration for all your effort. However there is one clear winner.
Bahrania hereby awards Homer Simpson the winner of Blog Quiz#1 - Basic Level. Although I would have liked more details in your answers especially to question 7, and i'm not quite convinced of your answer to question number 6. Homer, I want a story please.
This quiz was far too easy...lets just say I was testing the water. Brace yourself for all forthcoming quizzes. If anyone else wants to explore the above questions deeper please feel free to do so. I am particularly interested in 7 and 8.
Posted by Bahrania
Well, here's the story:
It was a dark and cold night. The wind was howling and the rain was angrily beating down, as if a curse had fallen on this god-forsaken island. My last cigarette had just reached its final breath, and with a wimp it faded into eternity. Suddenly, an old lady appeared in the horizon, floating in the never-ending mist. She was cloaked in a dark robe, her snow-white hair flowing in the air, with a nokia 3230 in her hand.
A small beeping noise was heard. She had sent me a text message. "Read young homer, read,", her crackling voice boomed.
I was petrified, but my fingers, trembling, uncontrollably reached to my phone.
"1. It was blad al kadeem, and the portugeuse moved it to manama.
.
.
.
8.8. Sitra was khalid bin ali bin khalifa alkhalifa. Jidhafs was abdulla bin isa bin ali alkhalifa."
"Yes young Homer, you now see the way. Save my number so that you can text me whenever you want."
I quickly skipped back home, eager to post my new found knowledge on my favourite blog.
As you can tell, I'm very bored tonight, and studying does not look that appealing.
Posted by homer simpson
Its a good thing you saved her number. We might need to quote her soon. Although I wouldn't recommend holding a seance everytime you seek answers from the past.
Posted by Bahrania
Grr... I can't believe that Homer stole the Teacher's Pet award from under my feet... maybe a shiny apple will help me reclaim it... hmm...
Anyhows, I have a question. What is the story behind Jeblat Hebshi? It's such an interesting name for a village... it must have some cool history.
Posted by Chan'ad