Bahrain Colonial Records

Portuguese Colonization (1521-1602)
Bahrain was seized by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century. The Portuguese ruled the islands by largely indirect rule for eighty years. Portugal remained in control until they were driven out of the island in 1602, when a popular uprising led by Rukn ed-Din took control of the Bahrain Fort.

British Colonization (1860-1971)
In 1820, Bahrain became a British Colonial protectorate when the country signed the General Maritime Treaty with Great Britain. In a 1971 United Nations referendum, Bahrain declared its independence.