Kalba

File:Kalba Fort.jpg]]

Shell middens dating back to the fourth millennium BCE have been found at Kalba, as well as extensive remains of the Bronze Age Umm Al Nar culture.{{Cite web|url=http://sharjaharchaeology.com/kalba/|title=Kalba – Sharjah Directorate of Antiquities & Heritage|last=Heritage|first=Sharjah Directorate of Antiquities &|website=sharjaharchaeology.com|language=en-US|access-date=18 November 2018}} An extensive and important assembly of petroglyphs lies to the south of Kalba at Khatm Melaha.{{Cite web |title=Petroglyph KM21-52 Khatm Al Melaha, Sharjah - SAA - 1 |url=https://saa.shj.ae/en/inscriptions/petroglyph-km21-52-khatm-al-melaha-sharjah/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |language=en-US}}

The town was captured by the Portuguese Empire in the 16th century and was referred to as Ghallah.{{Cite book|last=Bey|first=Frauke|title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|publisher=Longman|year=1982|isbn=0582277280|location=UK|pages=533}} It was part of a series of fortified cities that the Portuguese used to control access to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, e.g. Khor Fakan, Muscat, Sohar, Seeb, Qurayyat, Muttrah. Kalba Fort, today restored as a museum, is thought to have been constructed on Portuguese foundations.

It was attacked and sacked by the Sultan of Muscat Sayyid Said's forces in March 1811 as part of an Omani campaign against the maritime forces of Al-Qasimi.{{Cite book|last=Qasimi|first=Sultan|title=The Myth of Piracy in the Arabian Gulf|publisher=Croom Helm|year=1986|isbn=0709921063|location=UK|pages=153}} It was a Trucial State from 1936 to 1951, before being reincorporated into Sharjah.

Kalba was still being referred to as Ghallah at the time of J. G. Lorimer's 1906 survey of the Persian Gulf and Oman, when it consisted of some 300 areesh (date palm frond) houses, of Naqbiyin, Sharqiyin, Kunud and Abadilah tribes as well as a number of Baluchis and Persians.{{Cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Vol II|last=Lorimer|first=John|publisher=British Government, Bombay|year=1915|pages=576}} It was home to ten boats trading with ports in the Persian Gulf and India.{{Cite book|title = Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman & Central Arabia|last = Lorimer|first = JG|publisher = Government of India|year = 1908|page = 1440}}

Majid bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi was granted the Shamaliyah region, including Kalba, as a fiefdom by his brother, Sheikh Salim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. Kalba was subsequently ruled jointly by his two sons Hamad bin Majid and Ahmad bin Majid.

Hamad's son Said Bin Hamad Al Qasimi succeeded him in 1902, at the time when the ruler of neighbouring Fujairah, Hamad bin Abdallah Al Sharqi, managed to establish independence. Said bin Hamad lived in Ajman, leaving the administration of Kalba in the hands of a slave named Barut.{{Cite book|title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last=Heard-Bey|first=Frauke|publisher=Motivate|year=2004|isbn=9781860631672|pages=91}}

By the 1920s, Said bin Hamad took up residency in Kalba again and in 1936 was recognised by the British as a Trucial Ruler as an incentive to grant landing rights to an emergency air-strip as a backup to the Imperial Airways runway and fort at Al-Mahatta in the city of Sharjah.{{Cite book|title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last=Heard-Bey|first=Frauke|publisher=Motivate|year=2004|isbn=9781860631672|pages=296}}

In April 1937, the deposed Ruler of Sharjah, Khalid bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, married Aisha, the daughter of Sheikh Said bin Hamad Al Qasimi. Said bin Hamad died suddenly at the end of April 1937 while visiting Khor Fakkan. Said bin Hamad's son, Hamad, was still a minor and so Aisha moved quickly to establish a regency, travelling to Kalba and organising the town's defences. For many years Said bin Hamad had lived in Ajman and entrusted a slave by the name of Barut to manage Kalba on his behalf, and Aisha now arranged for Barut to once again take charge as Wali. She sent a message to Khalid bin Ahmad, who was in Ras Al Khaimah at the time.{{Cite book|title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last=Heard-Bey|first=Frauke|publisher=Motivate|year=2004|isbn=9781860631672|pages=91–6}}

A period of intense political infighting and negotiation between the many involved parties now followed. In June 1937, the notable residents of Kalba selected the slave Barut as Regent for the 12-year-old Hamad, but this solution was not accepted by the British, and Khalid bin Ahmad was selected as regent. Increasingly seen as an influential and unifying figure by the Bedouin and the townspeople of the East Coast, he ruled over Dhaid and Kalba (delegating his rule in Kalba to Barut and choosing himself to live in Dhaid and Al Heera) until 1950, when he was too old and infirm to take a further role in affairs. He died that year,{{Cite book|title=The Origins of the United Arab Emirates : a Political and Social History of the Trucial States.|last=Said.|first=Zahlan, Rosemarie|date=2016|publisher=Taylor and Francis|isbn=9781317244653|pages=188|oclc=945874284}} leaving Hamad bin Said, who had reached his majority, as Ruler of Kalba. Hamad was killed in 1951 by Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, son of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.British Library, Foreign Office file IOR/R/15/2/942. Although there are British records of an insurgency in 1952 this appears to have been settledSecret Cabinet Office Record CC 52, April 1952, Cabinet Office minutes of Cabinet Meeting of 29 April 1952, pg. 72. The National Archive, UK.{{Cite book|title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition|last=Heard-Bey|first=Frauke|date=2005|publisher=Motivate|isbn=1860631673|location=London|oclc=64689681}} and the rule of Kalba subsequently reverted to the direct administration of Sharjah.

File:Quelba.jpg

That notwithstanding, there were almost constant outbreaks of squabbling and disputes between Kalba and neighbouring Fujairah (itself only recognised as a Trucial State by the British in 1952) which broke out into open fighting over a land dispute after the UAE was founded in 1971 and, in 1972 the newly founded Union Defence Force was called in to take control of the fighting which, by the time the UDF moved in, had killed 22 and seriously injured a dozen more. The dispute was finally settled after mediation between Sheikh Rashid of Dubai and other Rulers and a statement announcing the settlement sent out on 17 July 1972.{{Cite book|title = Father of Dubai|last = Wilson|first = Graeme|publisher = Media Prima|year = 1999|isbn = 9789948856450|location = UAE|pages = 178}}

Khor Kalba is accessible by three roads.

The first merges after Wadi Al Helou ({{langx|ar|وَادِي ٱلْحلًو}}) tunnel with Maliha Road ({{langx|ar|شارع مليحة}}) which finally leads to the Sharjah-Kalba Road ({{convert|90|km|mile|abbr=on}}) from Sharjah International Airport.{{Cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/news/uae/transport/new-road-to-link-uae-oman-by-next-year-1.1956390|title=New road to link UAE, Oman by next year|author=Shafaat Shahbandari|date=4 January 2017|work=GulfNews|access-date=23 July 2018}} There is also the Fujairah-Kalba Road ({{convert|8|km|mile|abbr=on}}).

The Khor Kalba Road extends until the border with Oman at Khatm Melaha, and is one of the exit–entry points between the UAE and Oman.{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/transport/confusion-as-checkpoint-of-hatta-oman-closed|title=Confusion as checkpoint of Hatta-Oman closed|last=Gokulan|first=Dhanusha|website=www.khaleejtimes.com|access-date=23 July 2018}}

Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and member of the Supreme Council, announced in July 2020 that several development projects are to be implemented in Kalba.{{Cite web|title=Sultan unveils development projects in Kalba|url=https://sheikhdrsultan.ae/Portal/en/media-center/news/16/7/2020/سلطان-القاسمي-يكشف-عن-مشاريع-تطويرية-في-كلباء.aspx|access-date=2021-07-30|website=The Personal Website of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi}}{{Cite web|last=Dadlani|first=Disha|date=April 16, 2021|title=Sharjah ruler inaugurates, inspects key projects in Kalba|url=https://www.constructionweekonline.com/projects-tenders/271740-sharjah-ruler-inaugurates-inspects-key-projects-in-kalba|website=Construction Week}} These include the restoration of historical sites, the development of the corniche, the renovation of public spaces, the construction of new buildings, and others.{{Cite web|title=Sharjah Ruler unveils new vision for historic east coast port town of Kalba|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/heritage/sharjah-ruler-unveils-new-vision-for-historic-east-coast-port-town-of-kalba-1.1201412|access-date=2021-07-30|website=The National|date=11 April 2021}}

Launched in April 2021, the Kalba Beach Corniche project targeted improving rainwater drainage, the construction of a running track, the establishment of public seating areas and planting of trees.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-10|title=UAE: New beach corniche inaugurated in Sharjah|url=https://www.gulf-insider.com/uae-new-beach-corniche-inaugurated-in-sharjah/|access-date=2021-08-01|website=Gulf Insider|language=en-US}} It is a great place for families and kids as it has play areas, shaded seating areas suitable for{{Cite web |date=2024-04-08 |title=Eid adventures: Plan a road trip to Kalba – all the places you can explore from Hanging Gardens to mangroves |url=https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/ask-us/eid-adventures-plan-a-road-trip-to-kalba--all-the-places-you-can-explore-from-hanging-gardens-to-mangroves-1.1712564899019 |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}} family picnics.

{{See also|Kalba Ice Factory}}

The Kalba ice factory, originally constructed to provide ice for local fishermen, stood as a ruin for decades before it was rebuilt as an art space by the Sharjah Art Foundation - one of a number of restorations of heritage buildings in the Emirate of Sharjah by the Foundation (including the Flying Saucer) for use as public spaces.{{Cite web |last=Gillett |first=Katy |date=2023-02-05 |title=Kalba Ice Factory transformed in time for Sharjah Biennial 15 |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/art-design/2023/02/05/kalba-ice-factory-transformed-in-time-for-sharjah-biennial-15/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=The National |language=en}} It is located in the southern outskirts of Kalba, an ancient city on Sharjah’s eastern coastline and was built in 1970s.Its used as a storage place for the ice that would transport freshly caught fish to Dubai, 120km away.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-03 |title=Derelict ice factory in the desert transformed into UAE's newest contemporary art venue |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/02/03/derelict-ice-factory-transformed-into-uaes-newest-contemporary-art-space |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=The Art Newspaper - International art news and events}}

In the spring of 2022, the ruler of Sharjah inaugurated the square on which the landmark Kalba Clocktower {{Cite news |last=National |first=The |date=March 17, 2022 |title=Sharjah Ruler opens 60-metre tall Kalba clock tower |work=The National News |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/heritage/2022/03/17/sharjah-ruler-opens-clock-tower-in-kalba/ |access-date=March 17, 2022}} stands. Having a total area of 668 square meters.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-17 |title=Sharjah Ruler inaugurates Clock Tower Square in Kalba |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/sharjah-ruler-inaugurates-clock-tower-square-in-kalba-1.86520140 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}} The tower is 60-meters tall and is equipped with a platform which overlooks the city and the shoreline. The new landmark is set to boost inbound and outbound tourist traffic to the eastern emirate.{{Cite web |last=Sharjah |first=Visit |title=Kalba Clock Tower |url=https://www.visitsharjah.com/en/activities/family/kalba-clock-tower/ |access-date=July 5, 2023}} The tower has two viewing decks ,first deck is located on the fifth floor which is 33 metres height and has a restaurant for visitors. The second is 46 metres above the sea level and from there you can find the views of Kalba Lake, University of Sharjah, Kalba Commercial Centre, Qurum Reserve and the surrounding mountains.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=A. Staff |title=Look: Sharjah Ruler opens stunning new clock tower |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae-attractions/look-sharjah-ruler-opens-stunning-new-clock-tower |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}

• Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi (1871–1900)
• Hamad bin Majid Al Qasimi (1900–1903)
• Said ibn Hamad Al Qasimi (1903–30 April 1937)
• Hamad bin Said Al Qasimi (30 April 1937 – 1951)
• Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi (1951–1952; Ruler of Sharjah from 1951 to 1965)

Britain recognized Kalba on 8 December 1936, and it was re-incorporated into Sharjah in 1952.[http://enhg.org/resources/articles/rulers/rulers.htm Rulers of the United Arab Emirates] worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 4 September 2021

File:Khalba mountains 2012.jpg|The Shumayliyyah Mountains near Kalba

File:Turtle - panoramio (3).jpg|Hawksbill sea turtle

• Al Hefaiyah Conservation Centre
• Emirate of Sharjah
• Sharjah
• Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority
• Khor Kalba Nature Reserve

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{{Commons category|Kalba}}

{{Portuguese overseas empire}}

{{Sharjah}}

{{UAE cities}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Populated places in the Emirate of Sharjah

Category:Former countries in West Asia

Category:States and territories established in 1903

Category:1952 disestablishments

Category:Cities in the United Arab Emirates

Category:Archaeology of the United Arab Emirates