Founding of the First Saudi State and the Dawn of a New Era in Najd

In the mid-12th century AH, the region of Najd witnessed a historic transformation under the leadership of Imam Mohammed bin Saud, who founded the First Saudi State in 1744 CE (1157 AH). This establishment followed the renowned Diriyah Pact, which united the Imam with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab, marking the beginning of an independent political entity based on Islamic Sharia and the methodology of the righteous predecessors.

System of Governance and Civilizational Achievements

The First Saudi State adopted a centralized administrative system based on local emirates subject to the Imam’s authority. It achieved prominent civilizational accomplishments, including:
– Unifying the regions of Najd under a single rule after centuries of fragmentation
– Establishing a unified judicial system based on the Quran and Sunnah
– Developing infrastructure through the construction of irrigation canals (aflaj) and central markets
– Spreading religious education through mosque schools (kuttabs) and study circles

Geographic Expansion and Influence Extension

The First Saudi State experienced significant expansion during the reigns of its four Imams:
– Imam Mohammed bin Saud (1157-1179 AH): Unified Al-‘Uyaynah and Diriyah, and annexed Riyadh
– Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed (1179-1218 AH): Annexed Al-Qassim and Al-Ahsa; his military campaigns reached Karbala
– Imam Saud Al-Kabeer (1218-1229 AH): The state reached its peak expansion, encompassing Asir, Bahrain, and parts of Oman
– Imam Abdullah bin Saud (1229-1233 AH): Period of the Ottoman siege and the end of the state

End of the First Saudi State and Its Enduring Legacy

After repeated military campaigns by the Ottoman Empire led by Ibrahim Pasha, Diriyah fell in 1818 CE (1233 AH) following a six-month siege. The battles resulted in:
– Comprehensive destruction of Diriyah’s walls and historic fortresses
– The transfer of Imam Abdullah bin Saud to Istanbul, where he was executed
– The fragmentation of the political unity achieved by the Saudi state
Despite its relatively short lifespan of just 73 years, the First Saudi State left a profound institutional legacy through:
– Establishing the first unified political entity in the heart of Arabia in centuries
– Founding a model of governance based on Islamic Sharia
– Laying the foundations for the Second Saudi State and subsequently the Third (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
– Leaving a deep religious imprint on the region’s identity
The First Saudi State constituted a pivotal turning point in Arabian history, reshaping Najd’s political landscape and religious identity while laying the foundational stones for building the modern Saudi entity that has endured through successive historical phases.