The First Saudi State, also known as the Emirate of Diriyah, is a cornerstone in the history of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This state emerged in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula and was marked by a period rich in expansion, religious reform, and political development.
**Origin and Foundation in 1744**
The beginning of the First Saudi State dates back to the historic alliance concluded in Diriyah in 1157 AH, corresponding to 1744 AD. This alliance brought together Prince Muhammad bin Saud bin Muhammad bin Muqrin, the ruler of the Emirate of Diriyah at the time, and Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab, the reformist religious preacher. The two parties agreed to work together to spread the Salafi reformist call advocated by Sheikh Ibn Abdul Wahhab, which focused on correcting creed, unifying God, and avoiding innovations and polytheistic practices. At the same time, they aimed to unify the word of tribes and regions under a single political leadership under the leadership of the Al Saud family in Diriyah, which became the capital of the emerging state.
**Geographical Expansion and Influence**
Under the leadership of Imam Muhammad bin Saud and his sons after him—Imam Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Saud and Imam Saud Al Kabeer bin Abdulaziz—the First Saudi State witnessed tremendous expansion. Its influence extended to vast parts of the Arabian Peninsula, starting from Najd, passing through the regions of the Hijaz, Hail, Asir, and reaching the outskirts of the Levant, Iraq, and the coasts of the Arabian Gulf. This expansion was achieved through a series of military campaigns and political efforts aimed at unifying regions and implementing the state system.
**Administrative and Social System**
The state was built on Sharia foundations derived from Islamic law, where the Imam assumed religious, political, and military leadership, relying on scholars for judgment and fatwas. Its administration was characterized by the presence of local rulers (deputies) in the regions under its control, working under the direct supervision of the Imam. The state focused on applying Sharia rulings, spreading security, protecting Hajj and trade routes, and promoting religious education, which contributed to relative social and economic stability in its areas of influence.
**The End and Ottoman Intervention in 1818**
The expansion of the First Saudi State and its growing influence alarmed the Ottoman Empire, which saw it as a threat to its sovereignty in the region and its religious influence, especially after the Saudi state took control of the Hijaz. In response, the Ottoman Empire sent
