HistoryShelf

Saudi Arabia's history is a rich tapestry of culture and politics that spans millennia. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Arabian tribes and the rise of Islam in the 7th century, when it became the birthplace of the religion and the seat of its early caliphs. Over the centuries, the region saw the emergence of powerful dynasties like the Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates, followed by the Abbasid and Ottoman Empires. In the 18th century, a tribal leader named Muhammad ibn Saud formed an alliance with the reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, laying the foundation for what would become the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The 20th century brought significant changes, with the discovery of vast oil reserves propelling the nation into economic prominence and eventually leading to its current status as a global energy powerhouse under the rule of the House of Saud. This dynamic history has shaped Saudi Arabia's identity, culture, and political landscape into what we see today.