From the late 18th century until 1958, Gwadar was under the control of the Omani Sultanate, which had extended its influence over the region, recognizing its strategic importance as a coastal port. During this time, Gwadar was not a part of Oman’s mainland but a distant coastal possession, with the Sultan of Oman maintaining sovereignty over it. The region’s national status was that of an overseas outpost of the Omani Empire, and it served as an important center for maritime trade, particularly between Oman, the Indian subcontinent, and East Africa. Life in Gwadar during this period was centered around its role as a port town. The region was inhabited by a mix of
Baluchi,
Kashmiri,
Pashtun (
Rohillia Pashtuns) and Sindhi settlers, with economic activities revolving around fishing, trade, and maritime commerce. The population was relatively small, with much of the local life revolving around the port, which served as a hub for the export of fish, dates, and pearls, as well as the import of goods from India, Persia, and beyond. Trade was not only the economic lifeblood of the region but also a vital link between the
Arabian Peninsula, South Asia, and the wider world. The city attracted many Baluch tribes from nearby with large minority's of Kashmiris who settled for trade and to escape discrimination from nomadic lifestyles like the
Kanjar who also brought the Kashmiri turban which became popular in Oman through Gwadar in the late 1700's. The city also attracted a large amount of Rohillia Pashtuns from Uttar Pradesh during the British occupation who settled throughout the city staying there on the way to Hajj ended up mainly working as soldiers for the Sultan. Today, all these groups are seen as native and have a unique culture and speak Urdu and Baluchi. Today the city is a diverse mix of all groups and everyone shares a common religion, culture and history despite there different origins. The Omani administration in Gwadar functioned through a strategically decentralized system, in which the Sultan of Oman delegated full regional authority to a locally appointed governor—the Wali. As the Sultan’s direct representative, the Wali wielded extensive powers, acting as the supreme administrator, military commander, and judicial authority in the region. He controlled the enforcement of law and order, commanded local security forces, supervised tax collection, and regulated all trade and economic activity. In effect, the Wali governed Gwadar with near-autonomous power, serving as the absolute embodiment of Omani rule on the Makran coast. While the Sultan in Oman held ultimate authority, the local Wali enjoyed a degree of autonomy in managing local affairs, particularly those related to trade and dealing with the surrounding Baluch tribes. The main two
Wali of Gwadar were Saif Bin Ali (First) and Eshan Azim also written as (Ehsan) (Last) from 1783–1958. Saif Bin Ali, the first Wali, was appointed shortly after the territory was granted to the Sultan of Oman in 1783 by the Khan of Kalat. His role marked the beginning of formal Omani administrative presence in the region. As Wali, he was responsible for establishing order, managing trade, and maintaining Omani authority in Gwadar, which served as a strategic port and commercial hub on the
Arabian Sea. Eshan Azim (Also written as Ehsan Azim), the last Wali, presided over Gwadar during a time of increasing geopolitical interest in the region. His tenure ended when Oman formally transferred control of Gwadar to Pakistan on September 8, 1958, following negotiations and a financial settlement brokered with the support of the British government. Azim's departure marked the end of Omani governance and the beginning of Gwadar’s integration into Pakistan as part of the Balochistan province. Azim was also the first local native Wali of Gwadar. Oman’s governance was marked by its Islamic and tribal structures, where the Sultan wielded supreme political power, but the social and legal systems were largely influenced by Sharia law and tribal customs. Relationships with the local Baluchi tribes were often crucial for maintaining stability. Oman’s influence in the region was maintained through a mix of diplomacy, military presence, and occasional alliances with local tribal leaders. Many people in Gwadar today still hold on to their old
Omani passports from the past which after 1970 became
Pakistani nationals. ==See also==