Postal History of Abu Dhabi
Largest of Seven Trucial States in the Persian Gulf.
Abu Dhabi, now a key part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has a fascinating history reflected in its stamps. Before joining the UAE in 1971, it was the largest of the Trucial States, a group of seven sheikhdoms in eastern Arabia.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, seafaring tribes along the Arabian Gulf raided merchant ships, leading the British to call the region the "Pirate Coast." To protect trade routes, Britain signed treaties with local rulers, beginning with the General Maritime Treaty of 1820, which curbed piracy. The Perpetual Maritime Truce of 1853 further ensured peace at sea. These agreements led to the name "Trucial States," derived from the word “truce.” This status lasted until 1971, when the emirates gained independence and formed the UAE.
Here's how its postal story began.
The First Post Office
In 1960, Abu Dhabi’s first postal service was set up on Das Island, where oil workers sent letters back home. However, the mail was handled by Bahrain, so letters carried Bahrain postmarks—not a trace of Abu Dhabi!
In 1963, Abu Dhabi opened its first post office, managed by the British. It was a big step, but the ruler, Sheikh Shakhbout, didn’t like using the "Trucial States" stamps shared with other sheikhdoms. Abu Dhabi wanted its own identity.
The First Abu Dhabi Stamps
On the 30th March 1964, Abu Dhabi issued its very first stamps, featuring Sheikh Shakhbout himself. These stamps were unique, using Indian currency at the time (100 naye paise = 1 rupee). A second post office opened on Das Island in 1966, finally ending Bahrain’s role in handling Abu Dhabi’s mail
A New Chapter in 1966
When Abu Dhabi took over its postal services that year, it introduced its own currency (1000 fils = 1 dinar) and new stamps featuring Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the new ruler. These stamps were used until 1972. Abu Dhabi joined the UAE in 1971 and switched to UAE-issued stamps in 1973.
Did You Know?
- In the early days, mail in Abu Dhabi was often delivered by camel, as it had to cross vast desert landscapes.
- Before oil was discovered, Abu Dhabi’s economy relied heavily on pearl diving, and some early letters from the region were likely written by pearl traders.
- Oil was discovered in 1958, with commercial production beginning in 1962. This discovery transformed Abu Dhabi from a small pearling and trading settlement into a wealthy, modern city.
- Before the discovery of oil, pearling was the backbone of Abu Dhabi’s economy. For centuries, local divers braved the warm Gulf waters, descending up to 30 metres without oxygen tanks to collect oysters in search of pearls. The industry thrived until the early 20th century, when Japanese cultured pearls and the Great Depression led to its decline.
- An emirate is a political territory ruled by an emir, which is a title for a leader, similar to a prince or governor. The term comes from the Arabic word "amir" (أمير), meaning "commander" or "leader." In the case of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the country is made up of seven emirates—including Abu Dhabi and Dubai—each governed by its own ruling family. Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate and serves as the capital of the UAE.
Issued 1964: Definitive Series - 10r (rupee), Oil Rig and Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius).
Issued 1965: Falconry Series - 40n.p (naye paise), Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug).