The Sheikhdom of al-Irqa ( ar, مشيخة آل عرقة, translit=Mashyakhat al-Irqa) was a

city-state A city-state is an independent sovereign city which serves as the center of political, economic, and cultural life over its contiguous territory. They have existed in many parts of the world since the dawn of history, including cities such as ...

which was part of the

Protectorate of South Arabia The Protectorate of South Arabia consisted of various states located at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula under treaties of protection with Britain. The area of the former protectorate became part of South Yemen after the Radfan upri ...

, and existed from the 19th century to 1951.

History

The Sheikhdom was established in the 19th century. Starting in 1888, the Shaikh of Irqa received a stipend from the British Empire. A Protectorate Treaty was concluded with him in that year on 27 April, and was ratified on 26 February 1890. Shaikh Awadh bin Muhammad ba Das died in January 1901. He was succeeded by Shaikh Ahmed bin Awadh bin Muhammad ba Das. A new Protectorate Treaty was concluded with the latter in January 1902, when his stipend was increased from 80 to 180 dollars. Shaikh Ahmed bin Awadh ba Das died on 21 October 1935. His grandson, Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Awad Ba Das, was elected as his successor the following day. In , Irqa was incorporated into

Wahidi Balhaf Wahidi Balhaf ( '), or the Wahidi Sultanate of Balhaf in Hadhramaut ( ar, سلطنة الواحدي في بالحاف '), was one of several Wahidi states in the British Aden Protectorate. It was previously part of the Federation of Arab Emirat ...

.''''

Rulers

The rulers of al-`Irqa bore the title ''Shaykh al-`Irqa.''

Sheiks

# `Awad ibn Muhammad Ba Das, bef. 27 April 1888 – 2 January 1901'''' # Ahmad ibn `Awad Ba Das, 1901'''' – 21 October 1935 # Ahmad ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Abd Allah ibn `Awad Ba Das, 22 October 1935 – 1951''''

Demographics

In 1946, the Sheikhdom of al-`Irqa had a population of 500.

Geography

A report in 1946 described al-`Irqa as a "small fishing village".

References

States and territories established in the 19th century States and territories disestablished in 1951 Former monarchies of South Asia History of Yemen City-states {{South Arabia