Qatar National Library Lecture Discusses History of Qatar and British Indian Empire

The “Qatar, India & the Gulf: History, Culture & Society” exhibition, currently open to the public at Qatar National Library, provides insights into the long historical relationship between Qatar and the Indian subcontinent.

In parallel with the exhibition, on 10 December, the Library organized a talk by Dr. James Onley, Director of Historical Research and Partnerships at the Library, on the fascinating yet mostly forgotten history of Qatar and the British Indian Empire from 1916 to 1947.

The talk was followed by a guided tour of the exhibition, which features items from the Heritage Library as well as materials from Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, among other institutions. The exhibition is part of the Library’s celebration of the Qatar India 2019 Year of Culture.

Sabika Shaaban, who attended the lecture, said: “I understand more about the historical connections between the Gulf region and India thanks to this lecture. It nicely complemented the information I learned by visiting the “Qatar, India & the Gulf” exhibition here at the Library.”

Another attendee, Wali Khan, said: “I am taking courses as part of my graduate studies that focus on the history of Qatar and South Asia, and this event gave me a chance to make my research question stronger. Such events at the Library really help young scholars to network and enrich their research work.”

The exhibition will run until February 2020. For more information, please visit: https://events.qnl.qa/qatarindiaexhibition/EN