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India Ruled Dubai: The Forgotten British Empire Chapter
3 Feb
Summary
- Indian passports were recognized and issued in Dubai and other Gulf cities.
- The Indian rupee served as the official currency in Dubai for decades.
- Britain governed the Gulf via British India until 1947.
For decades, large parts of what is now the UAE, Oman, and Yemen were administratively and economically connected to British India. This period, prior to the formation of the UAE, saw territories known as the Trucial States governed through British India, functioning as the empire's primary hub east of Suez.
British officials in the Gulf belonged to the Indian Political Service and reported to the Viceroy in Delhi. The Bombay Presidency managed sea trade, customs, and security. Indian troops were often deployed, answering to Indian authorities. Astonishingly, Indian passports were valid in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the Indian rupee serving as the official currency for trade.
Indian merchants were heavily involved in Gulf commerce, and shipping routes linked Bombay to the Arabian coast. This influence was evident even in the mid-20th century, with rulers educated in India and careers shaped by Indian administration. Despite these ties, British authorities obscured India's reach to avoid diplomatic issues.
