Prior to the 18th century, and as perhaps as early as the 16th century, it served as Qatar's main town before its population migrated elsewhere.
قبل القرن 18 - ربما منذ القرن 16 - كانت أكبر مدينة في قطر قبل أن يهاجر سكانها إلى أماكن أخرى.