From Kuwait to Riyadh
After the end of the Second Saudi State in 1309 AH/1891 CE the Al Saud left Riyadh; Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal moved between the desert and Qatar before settling in Kuwait in 1311 AH/1893 CE. [1]
Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman set out from Kuwait with a small force, relied on secrecy and surprise, and recovered Riyadh through Masmak Palace in 1319 AH/1902 CE; his father then ceded rule to him. [1][2]
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Stages of unification
Unification began in southern Najd, then Al-Qassim, secured after the Battle of Rawdat Muhanna in 1324 AH/1906 CE; Al-Ahsa and Qatif in 1331 AH/1913 CE; Asir after the Battle of Hajla in 1338 AH/1920 CE; and Hail. [1]
His forces entered Makkah peacefully, the Hijaz was completed after the siege of Jeddah, and unification reached Jazan and Tihamat Asir after the Makkah Treaty of 1345 AH/1926 CE. [1]
Proclamation and National Day
King Abdulaziz's title rose from Emir of Najd in 1902 to Sultan of Najd and its Dependencies in 1920 and King of the Hijaz and Sultan of Najd and its Dependencies in 1926. [1]
On 17 Jumada al-Ula 1351 AH/18 September 1932 a royal order unified the country as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with effect from 21 Jumada al-Ula 1351 AH/23 September 1932, the date celebrated as National Day, in the course of the Third Saudi State. [1]
Related topics
- Saudi statesThe Third Saudi StateThe Third Saudi State began with Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud's recovery of Riyadh in 1902. Regional unification led to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proclaimed in 1932 and continuing thereafter.
- HistoricMasmak PalaceA historic earthen fortress in Al-Thumairi, central Riyadh, linked to King Abdulaziz's recovery of Riyadh in 1319 AH/1902 CE, now a museum of the Kingdom's founding.
- RegionRiyadh RegionA central Saudi administrative region encompassing the national capital and varied Najdi governorates, with connections to Diriyah, oasis settlement, government and modern economic activity.
- RegionQassim RegionAn inland Najdi region administered from Buraydah, associated with trading towns, date cultivation and markets, and the geographical corridor of Wadi Al Rummah.
- RegionEastern ProvinceA large eastern Saudi region administered from Dammam, combining Gulf cities, the oases of Al Ahsa and Qatif, desert areas, energy industries and maritime commerce.
- RegionAsir RegionA southwestern Saudi region administered from Abha, combining Sarawat highlands, Tihamah and the coast, with agricultural terraces, historic villages and distinctive local cultural traditions.
- RegionHail RegionA north-central Saudi region administered from Hail, associated with the Aja and Salma mountains, the Nafud desert, historical caravan routes and varied regional activities.
- RegionMakkah RegionA western Saudi region administered from Makkah, encompassing Jeddah, Taif and other governorates, where pilgrimage, maritime trade, coastal landscapes and uplands meet.
- RegionJazan RegionA southwestern Saudi region administered from Jazan city, combining the Red Sea coast, Farasan Islands, plains and mountains with farming, fishing, commerce and industry.