page_title: Nasir bin Murshid
section_title: Internal struggles
hierarchical_section_title: Nasir bin Murshid / Internal struggles
caption_attribution_description: Rustaq Fort
context_page_description: Nasir bin Murshid 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.
context_section_description: 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.
  Nasir continued his successful campaign, eventually feeling strong enough to attack the Nizar tribes, who controlled the Al Dhahireh region. The campaign was protracted, lasting several years, but was militarily successful although the Nizar tribes remained hostile.
  In the 1630s Nasir faced a challenge from a group of Nizar tribes led by the Beni Hilal under Sheikh Nasir bin Katan al-Helali.
  The Beni Hilal raids, for the purpose of taking slaves and booty, became a menace that the Imam was unable to suppress. Eventually he had to resort to paying a large ransom to Sheikh Nasir, which resolved the problem.
caption: Rustaq fort
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