New Publication
Chronicles Profound Depth of Oman-Russia Ties in Nineteenth Century

Muscat, 8 Dec 2025 (ONA) — The National Records and Archives
Authority (NRAA) has released a landmark historical work, “Oman-Russia
Relations in the Nineteenth Century AD – A Documentary Study Based on Russian
Archives.” This publication forms part of the Authority’s strategic
mission to enhance Omani and Arab scholarly resources with rigorously
documented historical sources and to foster academic research into the
Sultanate of Oman’s rich diplomatic history.

This comprehensive volume presents a formidable scholarly
compilation drawn from nearly 2,852 meticulously curated Russian documents,
including official correspondence, reports, memoranda, cartographic materials and
historical photographs. It serves as an exhaustive reference that details the
evolution of bilateral ties between the Sultanate of Oman and Russia during the
19th century. The work notably underscores the strategic significance of Omani
ports and their central role in the era’s global maritime commerce.

Structured into three principal chapters, the publication
systematically traces the progression of diplomatic and trade relations,
provides an analytical overview of Russian activities in the Gulf region, and
documents the political, economic, and social fabric of Omani society during
this period. It is further enriched by documentary appendices featuring
reproductions of over 50 rare archival records from Russian collections,
complemented by detailed indices to aid academic navigation.

Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Dhoyani, Chairman of the National
Records and Archives Authority, emphasized that this seminal work reflects the
Authority’s dedication to illuminating Oman’s civilizational narrative through
international primary sources. “The Russian archives offer unambiguous
evidence of the substantial historical relationship between our nations and
vividly illustrate Oman’s considerable political and commercial influence
during the 18th and 19th centuries,” he stated.

The book is heralded as a pioneering academic contribution that
establishes the critical value of Russian archival material for Gulf historical
studies. It inaugurates a projected series of publications designed to open new
research avenues for scholars focused on Oman’s international engagements.

The volume’s author, Dr. Dharar Mohammed Fadhl Al Mawla, noted
that its publication marks a significant advancement in providing Omani and
Arab libraries with authoritative source material that reveals fresh
perspectives on regional history. “This book is the fruit of a decade-long
endeavour dedicated to the translation and academic verification of rare
Russian documents,” Dr. Al-Mawla explained. “It contributes
profoundly to our understanding of the depth of Oman-Russia relations and the
Sultanate of Oman’s multifaceted historical role, offering a vital alternative
to the traditionally dominant British and French documentary narratives.”

Adding expert commentary, Dr. Ahlam bint Hamoud Al Jahwari, Director
Specialist for Documentary Studies at the Authority, highlighted the
publication’s academic importance. “This work constitutes a major
qualitative addition to documentary studies concerning both Arabian Gulf
history and modern European history, as it systematically introduces a crucial
corpus of Russian documents to the Arabic-speaking scholarly world for the
first time,” she said.

She further elaborated that the study of relations from 1792 to
1917 demonstrates the consistent development of political and economic bonds between
Oman and Russia and reaffirms Oman’s central position in historical trade and
navigation networks. The publication draws upon over 300 referenced sources,
including documents, visual materials, maps, and memoirs, supported by
appendices containing more than fifty rare records from one of the world’s
premier archives.

“The substantial scholarly content enables researchers to
engage with an alternative narrative of the region’s international relations,
grounded in Russian archival evidence,” Dr. Al Jahwari concluded.
“This publication embodies a critical step in the Authority’s ongoing
efforts to translate and provide global historical records to the Arab research
community in accordance with the highest international academic
standards.”

— Ends/Khalid