The name of the Gulf between the Ottomans and the British

Abstract

This research seeks to elucidate the nomenclature of the Arabian Gulf, focusing on its varying designations across nations that held nominal or actual dominion over the region. The investigation concentrates on two principal actors, namely the Ottoman Empire and the British Crown Empire, each driven by distinct political and economic motives in its delineation of the Gulf's nomenclature. The study commences by exploring the cartographic landscape, the development of cartography, and identifying essential sources underpinning historical geographic maps. Furthermore, it elaborates on the Ottoman involvement in the region and profiles significant Ottoman cartographers. Similarly, the study addresses the British engagement in the area and highlights the prominent English cartographers of the era. Subsequently, a comparative evaluation of historical geographical maps spanning the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries is undertaken. The research draws from documented images made accessible through collaboration with Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Darah in Sharjah. The comparative assessment culminates in a generalized inference that underscores the pivotal role of political and economic factors, as well as inter-state relationships, in shaping the genesis of the nomenclature during the examined historical epoch. As a recommendation, the study emphasizes the importance of discerning the underlying motives that informed nomenclatural choices when interpreting historical maps of the Gulf region and that contemporary platforms, like modern social media, which often lack historical context, should be approached with a prudent awareness.