How Al Nahyan Built Abu Dhabi - UAE’s Richest Family | Part 1 | Dr Nasir Baig

In this episode of Global Sach Podcast with Dr Nasir Baig, we explore the powerful history of the Al Nahyan family and how they built Abu Dhabi from a small desert settlement into one of the richest and most powerful cities in the world. This is the story of Abu Dhabi’s rise from desert to empire — from the Bani Yas tribe and Liwa Oasis to the discovery of fresh water on Abu Dhabi Island, the building of Qasr Al Hosn, the struggles of tribal politics, the decline of the pearl economy, and the beginning of the oil era. In Part 1, Dr Nasir Baig explains the early history of the Al Nahyan dynasty, including Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan, Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the rise of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who later changed the destiny of Abu Dhabi forever. This documentary-style episode covers important places and events including Abu Dhabi Island, Liwa Oasis, Qasr Al Hosn, Al Ain, Buraimi, Empty Quarter, Trucial Coast, British influence in the Gulf, pearl diving economy, Umm Shaif oil field, Das Island, and the transformation of Abu Dhabi into the foundation of the modern United Arab Emirates. The story of the Al Nahyan family is not only about oil and wealth. It is a story of survival, tribal power, family conflicts, bloodshed, leadership, patience, and vision — a story of how one ruling family turned desert land into a global financial and political power. How Al Nahyan Built Abu Dhabi - UAE’s Richest Family | Part 1 | Dr Nasir Baig 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Al Nahyan Family Story Begins 02:20 - Bani Yas and Liwa Oasis 03:40 - Empty Quarter Survival 04:55 - Discovery of Abu Dhabi 06:10 - Qasr Al Hosn 07:25 - Early Abu Dhabi Rulers 08:45 - Al Nahyan Power Struggles 10:05 - Rise of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa 12:00 - Zayed the Great Unites Tribes 13:40 - British Influence in the Gulf 15:25 - Pearl Economy of Abu Dhabi 17:05 - End of Zayed the Great’s Era 18:10 - Abu Dhabi Succession Crisis 19:35 - Brother Against Brother 21:00 - Pearl Economy Collapse 22:30 - Sultan and Saqr Power Fight 24:00 - Salama bint Butti’s Oath 25:25 - Sheikh Shakhbut Takes Power 26:45 - Search for Oil 27:55 - Umm Shaif Oil Discovery 28:45 - Abu Dhabi Remains Poor 29:15 - Sheikh Zayed Takes Over 29:56 - Conclusion #AlNahyan #AbuDhabi #UAE #UAERoyalFamily #SheikhZayed #Dubai #UAEHistory #MiddleEast #Gulf #DrNasirBaig #GlobalSach #RoyalFamily #History #Documentary Music Track: Epic War Author: StudioKolomna Source: Envato Elements Licensee: Gibran Saleem License Date: November 17th, 2025 Item ID: EN9H64P Music Track: Epic War Author: DivaProductionMusic Source: Envato Elements Licensee: Gibran Saleem License Date: November 17th, 2025 Item ID: PEATDZJ