The history of Manama

I. Origins and Early Mentions (Before the 16th Century)

Although Bahrain’s human footprint reaches back thousands of years – historically tied to the ancient Dilmun civilization and seafaring trade networks across the Arabian Gulf and Indian Ocean – the city of Manama first emerges in written records in the mid-14th century.

The name “Manama” itself likely stems from Arabic roots associated with “resting place” or “place of sleep,” hinting at its early role as a haven along Gulf trade routes. The earliest chronicles describe it as a small settlement on the northeast coast of Bahrain Island, where merchants and seafarers paused between voyages.

During these centuries, the region was dotted with coastal villages and trading points – Manama itself still small, but strategically placed to benefit from maritime commerce linking Mesopotamia, the Persian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean long before European empires reached the region.

II. Portuguese and Persian Rule (16th - 18th Centuries)

In 1521, the burgeoning maritime power of Portugal extended its reach into the Gulf, seizing control of Manama and other key ports along the Arabian coast, as part of a broader strategy to dominate Indian Ocean trade.

For the next century, Portuguese governors administered coastal fortifications and exerted military control, but they struggled to maintain authority against local resistance and rival regional powers. By 1602 the Safavid Persians, pushing outward from modern Iran, expelled the Portuguese and incorporated Manama into their own Gulf territories.

Under Persian rule, Manama endured – still important as a commercial entrepôt – but without powerful central authority until the late 18th century, when local tribal dynamics and competing ambitions shifted the balance of control.

III. The Khalifa Dynasty and British Influence (1783 – 1971)

Rise of the House of Khalifa (Late 18th Century)

In 1783, the ruling Āl Khalīfah family seized control of Bahrain and, subsequently, Manama, marking the start of a continuity of governance that endures into the modern era.

Under the Khalifas, Manama’s fortunes grew steadily. The city’s coastal location made it a natural center for pearling — the Gulf’s pre‑oil economic engine — where Bahraini divers competed across the Gulf for the most prized natural pearls. Merchants in Manama Souq traded not only pearls but also textiles, spices, metals, and exotic goods from afar.

Emergence of British Hegemony (19th – 20th Centuries)

From the early 19th century onward, Britain extended informal influence across the Gulf through a network of treaties and agreements with local rulers, including the rulers of Bahrain. By the late 1800s, Britain’s strategic interest was clear: to protect maritime routes and pre‑empt rival powers at a time when steam navigation was reshaping global trade.

In 1900, a British Political Agent was stationed in Manama — a reflection of the city’s growing importance as an administrative and commercial center. Initially subordinate to British representations in Bushire (now Bushehr, Iran), the agency was moved permanently to Manama by 1946, foreshadowing Bahrain’s rising status within Britain’s Gulf system.

IV. The Oil Era and Urban Transformation (20th Century)

Discovery of Oil and Economic Revolution (1932)

The discovery of oil on Bahrain in 1932 transformed Manama and the wider kingdom. It triggered a rapid shift from pearling and coastal trade to petroleum production and modern industry. Manama’s economy diversified and its population swelled — drawing workers from South Asia, Persia, the Levant, and beyond.

The roadside wind towers and low‑rise housing of the old souq began to give way to broad avenues, modern banking institutions, commercial offices, and new residential districts. The Bab al‑Bahrain — originally completed in 1949 — became a symbolic gateway, linking old and new, trade and state.

Free Port and Deepwater Infrastructure

In 1958, Manama was declared a free port, catalyzing an even larger influx of international shipping, merchants, and financial capital. Deepwater facilities at Mina Salman — capable of docking oceangoing vessels — were completed in 1962, cementing Manama’s status as a Persian Gulf commercial hub.

The diplomatic and governmental apparatus also expanded. By mid‑century, British governance through the residency had ensured broad administrative continuity, even as local leadership modernized public services and urban planning, anticipating future independence.

V. Independence and Nation Building (1971 – 2000)

Capital of Independent Bahrain (1971)

When Bahrain declared independence from British protection in 1971, Manama became the capital of the newly sovereign state. Its footprint expanded dramatically: ministries, diplomatic missions, financial institutions, and cultural institutions filled its streets, reflecting Bahrain’s role as a gateway between the Gulf and the wider world.

Urban modernization efforts were paired with infrastructure improvements — electricity, telecommunications, schools, and housing — setting the stage for a high‑growth era.

The 1990s and Political Reform

The late 20th century was marked by calls for political reform across the Gulf, and Bahrain experienced this too. Demonstrations in the 1990s centered around demands for a return to constitutional government and greater political participation. These tensions centered in parts of Manama and surrounding districts, as citizens voiced frustrations shaped by rapid socioeconomic change.

In 2001, the National Action Charter — proposed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa — was overwhelmingly approved, leading to the restoration of parliamentary life and the re‑establishment of municipal governance, signaling an important shift in state‑society relations.

VI. Manama in the 21st Century: Global Integration and Cultural Dynamism

Financial Hub and Economic Diversification

In the early 2000s and 2010s, Manama’s Diplomatic Area and financial districts became magnets for regional and international investment. Bahrain Financial Harbour and other landmarks reshaped its skyline, showing glass and steel ambition alongside traditional markets.

By the 2010s, Manama was recognized as a significant financial hub in the Middle East, with banks, insurance firms, and service providers establishing regional headquarters in the city. This economic diversification was critical as Bahrain sought to reduce its dependence on oil.

Social and Cultural Revival

Manama’s multicultural character became one of its defining features. Merchant neighborhoods historically included Persian, Indian, Baluchi, Arab, and Jewish communities, each contributing to a tapestry of culture and coexistence.

A strong symbol of this diversity is the Shrinathji Temple, established in 1817 by the Thattai Hindu community in Manama’s souq area. It remains one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Gulf and a testament to Bahrain’s longstanding religious pluralism.

The city today is also home to more than 120 places of worship reflecting many faiths — a remarkable mosaic in the Arabian Gulf region.

VII. Recent History: 2011 to 2026

2011 Uprising and Its Aftermath

Like many capitals during the Arab Spring, Manama experienced major protests in 2011, with demonstrators calling for political reform, accountability, and expanded freedoms. The government declared a state of emergency, and Gulf Cooperation Council military forces intervened. Subsequent reports documented clashes, security measures, and political responses in the capital’s central districts.

Although political tensions eased over the following years, 2011’s events left a lasting imprint on Bahrain’s political discourse, governance reforms, and public policy debates – shaping civic life in Manama and across the kingdom into the 2020s.

Global Events and International Engagement

Throughout the 2020s, Manama continued to assert itself on the international stage.

Diplomatic Developments: In August 2025, Bahrain’s foreign minister received the credentials of Israel’s new ambassador in Manama after a pause in diplomatic ties, signaling renewed engagement on regional security and peace initiatives.
Sports and Culture: The city actively hosted international competitions – such as the 2025 AVC Men’s Volleyball Nations Cup and the 2026 BWF Para‑Badminton World Championships – reflecting Bahrain’s role as a host of major global sporting events.
Property and Urban Development: Early 2026 analyses noted property market dynamics shaped by softening apartment prices and preparatory planning for a Bahrain Metro system, seen as a transformative infrastructure project expected to enhance mobility and real estate development in Manama.

Economic Initiatives (2025–2026)

In 2025, Bahrain launched major investment initiatives at Cityscape Bahrain, introducing ten new government land investment opportunities aimed at stimulating long‑term urban and economic expansion.

Early 2026 saw the Bahrain Bourse unveil a Capital Market Development Plan (2026‑2028) in Manama, designed to diversify financial instruments, deepen liquidity, and enhance market competitiveness, further integrating the city into global finance.

Geopolitical Tensions and Security (2026)

In February 2026, significant regional tensions affected Manama when missiles targeted U.S.‑linked facilities in Bahrain’s capital, part of a wider Gulf escalation. These events underscored Manama’s strategic importance – particularly as host to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet – and the broader geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East.

VIII. Manama’s Identity in 2026: A Synthesis of Past and Present

By 2026, Manama stands at the intersection of history and modernity:

A Legacy of Global Trade: Its roots as a maritime hub born of pearling and sea navigation continue to influence its economic outlook.
A Center of Diversity: Manama’s cultural fabric remains richly heterogeneous, shaped by centuries of migration and commerce – from Persian and Indian influences to its Jewish and Hindu heritage.
A Political Capital: Its role as Bahrain’s administrative and political heart reflects centuries of evolving governance, from Persian suzerainty to British influence and modern sovereign statehood.
A Modern Metropolis: Manama’s skyline bristles with financial districts, cultural institutions like the Bahrain National Museum, and urban infrastructure that blends tradition with contemporary ambition.
Strategic and Global Engagement: From sporting championships to investment summits and diplomatic outreach, Manama continues to assert a role that extends well beyond its small land area, influencing economics, security, and culture across the broader Gulf and international community.