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Dubai's heritage is buried deep in the history of Arab civilization. Settled at least 3000 years ago, Dubai's harbor is said to be one of the world's oldest seaports.
Dubai became a 'Sheikhdom' in 1833 when the nomadic Bani Yas tribe, led by Maktoum bin Buti migrated from Abu Dhabi to settle there. As Dubai did not have fertile land, fishing, pearling and trading were prevalent. For over a century Britain's strong presence in The Gulf helped suppress the piratical Qawasim tribes in 1805.
The village really began to grow in the early 19th century, when some 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe, moved north and settled in Dubai.
By the turn of the 20th century Dubai was a sufficiently prosperous port to attract settlers from Iran, India and Baluchistan, while the souk on Deira side was thought to be the largest on the coast, with some 350 shops.
Infact, modern Dubai is the product of the past 20 years of intensive development. Prior to that, Dubai was nothing but a small trading port, clustered around the mouth of the Creek.
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