Lineage and early life
Imam Muhammad bin Saud bin Muhammad bin Muqrin (1090–1179 AH/1679–1765 CE) founded the First Saudi State in 1139 AH/1727 CE and led its armies in its early years, making Diriyah its capital and Islamic law its constitution. [1]
His forebears belonged to Banu Hanifah, who had settled along Wadi Hanifah; his ancestors returned to central Arabia in 850 AH/1446 CE and founded Diriyah. His father, Saud bin Muhammad, ruled the emirate of Diriyah from 1132 AH/1719 CE. [1]
Founding the state
He took charge of Diriyah in 1139 AH/1727 CE, secured it and the pilgrimage and trade routes through it, organised its economy and widened its ties with tribes and towns, turning the emirate into a state. [1]
In 1157 AH/1744 CE Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab moved to Diriyah, and the imam supported his reform call. He led campaigns to unite central Arabia, including twelve battles for Riyadh, and lost his sons Faisal and Saud in a battle in 1160 AH/1746 CE. [1]
Related people
- PersonImam Turki bin AbdullahFounder of the Second Saudi State in 1240 AH/1824 CE, grandson of Imam Muhammad bin Saud and the first to make Riyadh the seat of Saudi rule.
- PersonImam Saud bin Abdulaziz Al SaudImam Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud was the third imam of the First Saudi State, which took Diriyah as its capital. He led the Saudi forces at the First Battle of Al-Hanakiyah in 1228 AH/1813 CE, was described as close to his people and humble in his dealings, and his era saw the scholarly councils of Diriyah flourish.
- PersonImam Abdullah bin SaudImam Abdullah bin Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud was the last imam of the First Saudi State, ruling after the death of his father over the period 1229–1233 AH/1814–1818. During his reign the siege of Diriyah took place; he then surrendered and was transferred to Egypt and then to Constantinople.
- PersonImam Muhammad bin Abdul WahhabImam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab was a Saudi reformer who lived and taught in Diriyah and called for the oneness of God and a return to what the Prophet, peace be upon him, brought; his call became tied to the Saudi family, and from Diriyah the influence of the First Saudi State spread.
Rule and legacy
Related topics
- Saudi statesThe First Saudi StateA state centred on Diriyah under Imam Muhammad bin Saud, officially dated in Saudi chronology to 1727. It expanded across Najd and other regions before its capital fell in 1818.
- GovernorateDiriyah GovernorateA governorate north-west of Riyadh on Wadi Hanifah, founded in 850 AH/1446 CE, capital of the First Saudi State and home to the World Heritage site of At-Turaif.
- HistoricAt-Turaif DistrictA historic district at the heart of Diriyah, built in the mid-eighteenth century CE, seat of the First Saudi State and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2010.
- Urban historyHistory of DiriyahDiriyah developed beside Wadi Hanifah and became the First Saudi State's capital. At-Turaif preserves evidence of its political history and Najdi architecture.