The Omani Admiral Who Fought the Portuguese Armada

In the early 18th century, the Ya'aruba dynasty of Oman built a powerful navy that challenged Portuguese dominance in the Indian Ocean. This episode focuses on Admiral Khamis bin Rumaitha al-Ya'arubi, a figure largely forgotten outside Oman, who commanded the Omani fleet during a series of decisive naval engagements. We explore his early career in Sur, the construction of the formidable ghajah warships, his partnership with Imam Saif bin Sultan II, and the pivotal 1719 Battle of Khor Fakkan, where Omani forces defeated a combined Portuguese-Persian armada. The episode also covers the ingenious Omani use of swivel guns and grappling tactics, the logistics of long-range naval campaigns, and the political intrigues that led to Khamis's fall from favor. We examine primary sources from Portuguese archives and Omani chronicles to piece together the admiral's story, and touch on the legacy of the Ya'aruba fleet that briefly made Oman the preeminent naval power between the Red Sea and the Malabar Coast. This is a deep dive into a specific, overlooked chapter of Omani maritime history. #Oman #Ya'aruba #KhamisBinRumaitha #OmaniNavy #BattleOfKhorFakkan #PortugueseEmpire #IndianOcean #GhajahWarships #SwivelGuns #ImamSaifBinSultan #Sur #NavalHistory #1719 #PiratesAndPrivateers #Ibadi #MiddleEastHistory #MaritimeHistory #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo