Ibn Saud: The First King And Founder Of The Modern Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s modern history starts with the emergence of the Al Saud dynasty in central Arabia in 1727 under Muhammed Ibn Saud. The kingdom’s name was given in 1932 when the first king, Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, issued a royal decree announcing the unification of the country under the name “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

The name applied to the geographical area that was amalgamated under him, formerly known as Hejaz and Nejd in central Arabia. After regaining his patrimony from the Al-Rashid family, which had taken over Riyadh and established a governor and garrison there, Ibn Saud is credited with founding the Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of the formation of the modern Saudi kingdom. The Saud family, which began its dynasty in the 18th century, were exiled from their residence in the city of Riyadh in 1890. However, the recapture of the city in 1902 by Ibn Saud made the family the rulers of the state again.

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Though Ibn Rashid had the support of the Ottoman Empire, Ibn Saud managed to capture the city despite facing several setbacks before the Ottoman-backed Rashidis. Notably, the Saud dynasty’s close relationship with the Wahhābi movement, a religious renewal movement calling for changes in traditional Islam, helped Ibn Saud reinforce a military force independent of tribal loyalties. During World War I, Ibn Saud entered into a treaty with the British and accepted protectorate status, agreeing to make war against the Rashīdīs, supported by the Ottomans.

Ibn Saudi by 1932 issued a decree to unify his domains, giving berth to the modern Kingdom by centralizing the power in the House of Saud. The discovery of oil then fueled the kingdom’s economic growth.

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