This first in-depth academic study of the dynastic rule of the Al Khalifa examined intra-tribal unrest and disputes within the Al Khalifa from the establishment of the shaykhdom in Bahrain in 1783 to the commencement of the oil era in 1932. It also offered new insights into the impact of the circumstances and consequences of Bahrain's conquest in 1783. This work traced the forms of rulership and successorship in the Al Khalifa Shaykhdom. It tackled the joint-rule practices that guaranteed greater domestic stability, even when the country faced threats or external military campaigns. The shared rule remains vital both to upholding the unity of the ruling tribe and to preventing intra-tribal coups like those that occurred in Bahrain in the past and which were still common in neighbouring countries. This work also tackled the in-house methods for successorship and their shifts, from the accession of the strongest to the right of primogeniture.

The findings help explain the current power-sharing mechanisms in the Al Khalifa ruling dynasty from the foundation of the dynastic rule in 1766 to 1942, when the process of succession became fixed. Al Khalifa rulers have always relied on three levels of backing to maintain their rule: familial support, tribal alliances and external powers. In parallel, financial resources secured the loyalty of the ruling tribe and were used to reward allies. These financial resources mainly derived from the pearling industry and later were also taken from feudal taxes.

The first main finding of this work is that the circumstances and consequences of possessing Bahrain shaped the Al Khalifa's political and tribal identity. The requirements of mobilisation for Bahrain's conquest and for maintaining power necessitated that the Al Khalifa enter into tribal alliances, some of which still exist. Sharing the booty of conquest with their allies bonded these tribes more closely with the Al Khalifa and encouraged many of their members to settle in Bahrain, on the understanding – which remains prevalent today – that they would be rewarded for their allegiance and support. Despite their comparatively small numbers, the Al Khalifa avoided sharing ruling powers with their allies, including their ‘Utubi confederates.