Taqah
History
In 1908, J.G. Lorimer recorded Rakhyut in his Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, noting its location as the easternmost village in the Dhufar Proper two miles west of Khor Rori and 20 miles west of Mirbat. He wrote:
A village of about 20 mud huts and one stone building, chiefly inhabited by Ma'ashani Qaras. There are three or four families of Sharifs and a few of Mashaikh; these latter classes act as mediators and go-betweens to the Bedouins, among whom their persons are sacred, and they take charge of the flocks and herds of Bedouins while in the plains.
The mountains here come down close to the sea and make a pleasing background. There are many ancient remains, standing columns, stone sarcophagi, etc. There was formerly a good harbour here, but it has now become silted up. This, with a little outlay, could be re-opened.
Places of interest
- Approx. 2 km after the western entrance to the town there is a mosque named Shaikh Al-Afeef (Arabic: الشيخ العفيف). In its cemetery Mazoon bint Ahmad Al Mashani, the mother of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, is buried. Under identical marble gravestones an uncle and a grandfather of the Sultans are buried.
- Taqah and its surrounding areas offer natural attractions, such as beaches and coastal scenery.
- Tourists often visit historical sites like Taqah Castle to learn about the region's history and architecture.
See also
References
- ^ Sultanate of Oman, Ministry of National Economy: Statistical Year Book, Thirty-Ninth Issue - November 2011, section 2-8, p. 12; (data of census of population, 2010)
- ^ "'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [544] (575/1050)". Qatar Digital Library. Retrieved 26 November 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Cf. Plekhanov, Sergey: A Reformer on the Thrones: Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, London: Trident press, 2004, p. 279.