Educational heritage · Dubai's rulers in history
Leadership Through the Eras
A historical overview of Dubai's rulers, the rise of the emirate, and the founding of the United Arab Emirates — offered as cultural heritage that inspires our independent community.
Heritage context
A historical overview
1833
Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti Al Maktoum (1833–1852)
Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti took the leadership of Dubai as a young man, at a time of considerable political and economic difficulty. He is remembered for meeting those challenges with capability and prudence, which secured his standing as ruler. Little documentation of the period survives, but he is known to have been widely respected and to have played an active role along what was then called the Trucial Coast.
1852
Sheikh Saeed bin Butti Al Maktoum (1852–1859)
Succeeding his brother in 1852, Sheikh Saeed continued the effort to keep Dubai safe and stable, taking measures against external threats. He is associated with an understanding among Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Umm Al Quwain intended to strengthen Dubai's position. He ruled for about seven years.
1859
Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum (1859–1886)
Sheikh Hasher was remembered for strength and justice, and for firm adherence to the treaties Dubai had entered into with the British and the other Trucial States, holding to account any who violated them. He died in 1886.
1886
Sheikh Rashid bin Maktoum Al Maktoum (1886–1894)
Appointed by the consensus of the tribal elders, Sheikh Rashid built alliances with several tribes, including through marriage into the Bushams, who lived in the strategically important Buraimi area. He fell ill in his final years and died in 1894.
1894
Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum (1894–1906)
Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher's era brought a marked shift toward economic openness and development. He removed duties on merchants to draw trade to Dubai, and succeeded: his reign saw wealthy traders relocate to the town while others adopted it as a hub for their business.
1906
Sheikh Butti bin Suhail Al Maktoum (1906–1912)
After the death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher in 1906, with his sons still young, leadership passed to his elderly cousin Sheikh Butti bin Suhail. His rule lasted about six years, until his death in 1912, when he was succeeded by Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum.
1912
Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum (1912–1958)
Born in 1878, Sheikh Saeed began his rule in 1912 as the pearl trade flourished and Dubai was establishing itself among the leading ports of the Arabian Gulf; his reign lasted some forty-six years. He was known for piety, simplicity and a fondness for falconry. When the pearl trade declined sharply in the 1930s — as global demand fell and cultured pearls reshaped the market — his emphasis on diversifying Dubai's economy and developing its port and market helped the town weather the downturn, further consolidating the Al Maktoum family's position.
1958
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (1958–1990) and the oil era
Widely loved and respected, Sheikh Rashid is remembered as a driving force behind Dubai's modernization. Oil was discovered offshore at the Fateh field in 1966; production began in 1969, with the first shipment that September. He directed oil revenues into infrastructure — schools, hospitals, roads, an expanded Dubai International Airport, the Al Maktoum Bridge across the Creek, and the vast Jebel Ali Port and free zone — laying the foundations of the modern city. He was known for hands-on daily tours of projects and an open majlis, and he died on 7 October 1990.
1971
The founding of the United Arab Emirates
Following Britain's 1968 announcement that it would withdraw from the Gulf, the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai — Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum — met in 1968 and agreed to unite their emirates. Their efforts culminated on 2 December 1971 in the establishment of the United Arab Emirates, uniting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, with Ras Al Khaimah joining in February 1972. That same month the UAE joined the Arab League and, on 9 December 1971, the United Nations.
1990
Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum (1990–2006)
On the death of his father, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid became Ruler of Dubai and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. Involved in the union's founding from the 1960s, he was known for close ties with the community and oversaw major development and national housing initiatives. He served until January 2006.
1995
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid named Crown Prince
In January 1995, Sheikh Maktoum issued decrees naming his brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid as Deputy Ruler of the emirate.
2006
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum becomes Ruler
On the passing of Sheikh Maktoum in January 2006, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid became Ruler of Dubai and was elected Vice President, and subsequently confirmed as Prime Minister, of the United Arab Emirates.
2008
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed named Crown Prince
In February 2008, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid named his son Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Crown Prince of Dubai. He had earlier, in September 2006, been appointed Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.