Sharjah Ruler Sells Shares to Fund Extensive Historical Book on Portuguese in Indian Ocean

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah and a member of the UAE Supreme Council, revealed in a recent interview that he sold his shares in the Sharjah Cement Factory to fund the publication of his latest historical work.

The book, titled The Portuguese in the Indian Ocean: Annals of History from 1497 CE - 1750 CE, is an encyclopaedia consisting of 61 volumes available in both Arabic and English. It explores the Portuguese influence in the Indian Ocean, focusing on their control of trade routes between India and Portugal, the conflicts they encountered in India, their decline, and their eventual reduction to a trading presence primarily in Goa.

In a conversation with Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sheikh Dr Sultan stated, "I swear, I had no money," explaining that he overcame financial challenges by liquidating his shares in the Sharjah Cement Factory. He had deposited these shares with an investment bank and instructed them to sell when market conditions were favorable. He confirmed that all proceeds from the shares were dedicated to the book project.

The interview also highlighted the extensive effort behind the book's production, which took nine years from 1997 to 2006. Sheikh Dr Sultan recalled an emotional moment near the project's completion when a woman named Fiona, who had delivered the final set of documents, passed away shortly after delivering them.

Offering guidance to researchers, the Sharjah Ruler emphasized the importance of adhering to original manuscript texts and minimizing personal commentary to footnotes. He encouraged rigorous, document-based research free from bias or imagination.

Sheikh Dr Sultan also announced that he has begun work on a new project focusing on the history of the region before the Portuguese arrival, covering the Dutch and English periods. This upcoming work is expected to be a 60-volume set, scheduled for release at the Sharjah Book Fair in 2027.

What this means for you

• The Sharjah Ruler financed his historical book by selling shares, indicating the high costs involved in publishing extensive works.
• Researchers are advised to focus on original documents and avoid bias in historical studies.
• A new historical book covering the pre-Portuguese era in the Indian Ocean region is expected to be published in 2027.
• The current book is available in Arabic and English, providing a resource on the Portuguese influence in the Indian Ocean.