Emirate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An emirate is a territory ruled by an emir,[1] a title used by monarchs or high officeholders in the Muslim world. There are three emirates that are independent states (Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Qatar); and the unrecognized Taliban state in Afghanistan is (and was) also styled as an emirate. A great number of previously independent emirates across the world are now part of larger states.

Etymology[]

Etymologically, emirate or amirate (Arabic: إمارةimārah, plural: إمارات imārāt) is the quality, dignity, office, or territorial competence of any emir (prince, commander, governor, etc.). In English, the term is pronounced /ˈɛmərət, -ɪər-, -ɪt, -t/ or /ɛˈmɪərət, -ɪt, -t, iˈ-/ in British English and /ˈɛmərət/ or /ɪˈmɪərət/ in American English.[2]

As monarchies[]

The United Arab Emirates is a federal state that comprises seven federal emirates, each administered by a hereditary emir, these seven forming the electoral college for the federation's president and prime minister. As most emirates have either disappeared, been integrated in a larger modern state, or changed their rulers' styles, e.g. to malik (Arabic for king) or sultan, such true emirate-states have become rare.

As provinces[]

Furthermore, in Arabic the term can be generalized to mean any province of a country that is administered by a member of the ruling class, especially of a member (usually styled emir) of the royal family, as in Saudi Arabian governorates.

List of present emirates[]

Location of Kuwait (red), Qatar (green), and the emirates of the United Arab Emirates

The present independent emirates are:

  • Afghanistan (the unrecognized Taliban state, since 15 August 2021)
  • Kuwait (since 14 May 1961)
  • Qatar (since 3 December 1971)
  • United Arab Emirates (since 2 December 1971)

List of former and integrated emirates[]

These are the emirates that have either ceased to exist, are not recognized and hold no real power, or were integrated into another country and preserved as "traditional states". They are arranged by location and in order of the date of the first leader styled "emir."

Africa[]

North Africa[]

Sub-Saharan Africa[]

Ethiopia[]
  • Emirate of Harar, eastern Ethiopia 1647–1887
Ghana[]
Niger[]
Nigeria[]
  • Fika Emirate, northeastern Nigeria 15th century– (integrated)
  • Gwandu Emirate, northwestern Nigeria 15th century to 2005 (integrated and then deposed)
  • Kebbi Emirate, northwestern Nigeria 1516– (integrated)
  • Borgu Emirate, westcentral Nigeria, formed from Bussa Emirate 1730–1954 and Kaiama Emirate 1912–54, unified 1954– (integrated)
  • Gumel Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1749– (integrated)
  • Yauri Emirate, northwestern Nigeria 1799– (integrated)
  • Gombe Emirate, northeast Nigeria 1804– (integrated)
  • Kano Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1805– (integrated)
  • Bauchi Emirate, northeast Nigeria 1805– (integrated)
  • Daura Emirate, northcentral Nigeria off and on 1805– (integrated)
  • Katagum Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1807– (integrated)
  • Zaria Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1808– (integrated)
  • Potiskum Emirate, northeastern Nigeria 1809– (integrated)
  • Adamawa Emirate, eastern Nigeria and formerly into western Cameroon 1809– (integrated where preserved)
  • Ilorin Emirate, southwestern Nigeria 1817– (integrated)
  • Muri Emirate, eastcentral Nigeria 1817– (integrated)
  • Kazaure Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1819– (integrated)
  • Lapai Emirate, central Nigeria 1825– (integrated)
  • Suleja Emirate, central Nigeria 1828– (integrated)
  • Agaie Emirate, westcentral Nigeria 1832– (integrated)
  • Bida Emirate, westcentral Nigeria 1856– (integrated)
  • Kontagora Emirate, northcentral Nigeria 1858– (integrated)
  • Borno Emirate, northeastern Nigeria 1900– (integrated)
  • Dikwa Emirate, northeast Nigeria 1901– (integrated)
  • Biu Emirate, northeast Nigeria 1920– (integrated)

Asia[]

Arabia[]

Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent[]

Near East[]

  • Emirate of Mosul (see list of emirs for more), modern Iraq 905–1096, 1127–1222, 1254–1383, 1758–1918
  • Emirate of Melitene, modern central Turkey mid-ninth century to 934
  • Emirate of Amida, modern Eastern Turkey 983–1085
  • Karaman Emirate, south-central Anatolia 1250–1487
  • Emirate of Aydin, state composed of Oghuz Turks in modern Turkey from the early 14th century to 1390
  • Emirate of Dulkadir, modern Eastern Turkey 1337–1522
  • Emirate of Ramazan, modern Eastern Turkey 1352–1608
  • Timurid Emirates, Timur's empire and the minor emirates left behind after the fall of the Timurid dynasty in the Middle East, 1526-c.1550
  • Soran Emirate, modern northern Iraq 1816–35
  • Az Zubayr, town in Basra Governorate, Iraq during 19th century
  • Emirate of Transjordan, modern Jordan 1921–46

Europe[]

Caucasus[]

Iberia[]

Mediterranean region[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "The definition of emirate". Dictionary.com.
  2. ^ Wells, John C. (2008), Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.), Longman, ISBN 9781405881180
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