Bahrain — books & literature

The story of Bahrain

Bahrain's story stretches back to the Bronze Age, when the archipelago was the heartland of Dilmun, a civilization mentioned in Sumerian texts as early as circa 3000 BCE and prized as a trading crossroads of the ancient Gulf. After Dilmun's decline the islands passed through Assyrian, Persian, and Greek (as "Tylos") influence, then embraced Islam in the 7th century CE. Portuguese forces held Bahrain from the early 16th century until they were expelled in 1602, after which Persian control followed. In 1783 the Al Khalifa family, still Bahrain's ruling dynasty today, took control of the islands. The 19th century brought a series of British protection treaties, and in 1932 Bahrain became the first Gulf state to discover oil, reshaping its economy. Independence from Britain arrived in 1971, and in 2002 Bahrain transformed from an emirate into a constitutional monarchy, the Kingdom of Bahrain. Today it is known as a Gulf financial hub, home to Formula 1 racing, ancient pearling heritage, and a deep archaeological record layered beneath its modern skyline.

Timeline — key moments

1. circa 3000 BCE

   Dilmun civilization flourishes on Bahrain as a Bronze Age Gulf trading hub, recorded in Sumerian texts.

2. circa 600 BCE

   Dilmun declines; the islands later become known to the Greeks as "Tylos".

3. 628 CE

   Islam is introduced to Bahrain during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad.

4. 1521-1602

   Portuguese forces occupy and fortify Bahrain before being expelled.

5. 1783

   The Al Khalifa family takes control of Bahrain, founding the dynasty that still rules today.

6. 1861

   Bahrain signs a treaty placing it under British protection.

7. 1932

   Oil is discovered at Jabal ad-Dukhan , the first oil find in the Arab states of the Gulf.

8. 1971

   Bahrain becomes fully independent (15 August declaration; 16 December formal independence).

9. 2002

   Bahrain adopts a new constitution and becomes a constitutional monarchy, the Kingdom of Bahrain.

10. 2004

    The Bahrain International Circuit hosts the first Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix, a first for the Gulf region.

Top 10 things to know about Bahrain

1. Bahrain is an archipelago of more than 30 natural islands in the Persian Gulf.
2. Manama is the capital and largest city.
3. Bahrain was the heart of the ancient Dilmun civilization, one of the oldest known Gulf trading hubs.
4. Bahrain was the first country in the Arab Gulf to discover oil, in 1932.
5. The Bahrain International Circuit has hosted the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix since 2004.
6. The King Fahd Causeway, opened in 1986, links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia across roughly 25 km.
7. Qal'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site layered with almost 4,500 years of settlement.
8. "Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy" is a UNESCO-listed heritage trail honouring Bahrain's historic pearl-diving industry.
9. Bahrain became a constitutional monarchy , the Kingdom of Bahrain , in 2002.
10. Arabic is the official language, and the Bahraini dinar is among the highest-valued currencies in the world.

Famous people from Bahrain

Say it in Bahrain's language

Did you know?

• ★Bahrain was the first Gulf country to discover oil, in 1932, and the first to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, in 2004.
• ★Qal'at al-Bahrain sits on a mound built up from almost 4,500 years of continuous settlement, including the ancient Dilmun civilization.
• ★The Bahrain World Trade Center was among the first skyscrapers in the world to integrate large wind turbines directly into its structure.

Bahrain culture

• Pearl diving was Bahrain's historic economic backbone before oil, and its trail is honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Machboos, spiced rice with meat or fish, is a signature dish shared across Gulf households.
• Ramadan and Eid celebrations shape the annual calendar, with family gatherings and communal iftars.
• Bahraini Arabic, a distinct Gulf dialect, is spoken alongside standard Arabic used in media and government.

Why read Bahrain's books

Bahrain's literary voice grew from a Gulf trading crossroads into a modern home for Arabic free-verse poetry, carried by figures like Qassim Haddad and Ali al-Sharqawi. Reading Bahrain's books opens a window onto that layered island history.