Nasir bin Murshid
| Nasir bin Murshid | |
|---|---|
| Imam of Oman | |
| Rulers of Oman | |
| Reign | 1624-1649 |
| Predecessor | Omair bin Himyar |
| Successor | Sultan bin Saif |
| Dynasty | Yaruba |
Nasir bin Murshid (died 14 April 1649) was the founder of the Yaruba dynasty of Imams of Oman, a member of the Ibadi sect. He ruled from 1624 to 1649. He took power during a chaotic period when the former dynasty had collapsed and the interior of the country was lawless, while the Portuguese held the main coastal ports. In a series of campaigns he established his authority over the Omani tribes and expelled the Portuguese from most of their bases.
By the early 17th century the ruling Nabhani dynasty of Oman had become weakened, exerting control over only half of the kingdom. The interior of Oman was divided into a number of small states and tribal regions.Ibadi tribes originating from Yemen had once formed the large majority, but over time Sunni Nizar tribes had become equal in strength, in part due to immigration.
Two Nabhani brothers were competing for power, Makhzoom bin Fellah bin Mohsin at Yanqul and Nebhan bin Fellah. Around 1615 Makhzoom died and his cousin Omair bin Himyar entered the fray, defeating Nebhan bin Fellah at Yanqul in 1617. Omair bin Himyar died around 1624, the last of his dynasty, and a succession struggle erupted. The leading candidates were from the Yaareba, one of the best established and most powerful of the tribes. Malik bin Abul Arar al-Yaarebi controlled Rustaq and tried to seize power. An assembly of notables was convened at Rustaq to settle the matter, and Sheikh Nasir bin Murshid al-Yaarebi was unanimously elected Imam.
The new Imam was not universally accepted, and faced a potential threat from the Nizar tribes. Nasir bin Murshid immediately began to assert control over the interior. Nasir bin Murshid built up his army and took the main towns as well as the forts of Rustaq and Nakhal. He quickly took the Rustaq fort, which had been held by his cousins since his grandfather Malik bin Abul Arar had died in 1620. In 1625 Nasir gathered a force that he led to Nakhal, which he captured from his great uncle Sultan bin Abul Arar. He was attacked in this position, but broke out and returned to Rustaq, then took Izki and Nizwa. Nasir moved the capital to Nizwa, the former capital of the Ibadi Imamate.
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