Nasir bin Murshid

Nasir bin Murshid (Arabic: ناصر بن مرشد) (died 14 April 1649) was the founder of the Yaruba dynasty of Imams of Oman, a member of the Ibadi sect.

He took power during a chaotic period when the former dynasty had collapsed and the interior of the country was lawless, while the Portuguese held the main coastal ports.

By the early 17th century the ruling Nabhani dynasty of Oman had become weakened, exerting control over only half of the kingdom.

[1] An assembly of notables was convened at Rustaq to settle the matter, and Sheikh Nasir bin Murshid Al-Yaarebi was unanimously elected Imam.

[4] He quickly took the Rustaq fort, which had been held by his cousins since his grandfather Malik bin Abul Arar had died in 1620.

In 1625, Nasir gathered a force that he led to Nakhal, which he captured from his great uncle Sultan bin Abul Arar.

[5] Nasir continued his successful campaign, eventually feeling strong enough to attack the Nizar tribes, who controlled the Al Dhahireh region.

[7] Nasir was able to unify the tribes with a common goal of expelling the Portuguese, who had taken control of the coastal cities of Sur, Qurayyat, Muscat and Sohar.