Early reign and captivity Imam Faisal first ruled the Second Saudi State from 1834 to 1838. He easily defeated his third-cousin
Abdullah bin Thunayan, who had revolted against the ineffective Khalid and taken control. Faisal depended on a close alliance with the
Al Rashid family of
Ha'il. Faisal's ambitions extended beyond these territories. In 1847, he attempted to intervene in
Bahrain, exploiting internal conflicts within the ruling family. Although unsuccessful in capturing Bahrain, he settled for a peace agreement that included a tribute payment. His inability to seize Bahrain was primarily due to attacks on the
Al-Qassim Province by
Muhammad bin Awn and
Khalid bin Saud, and the firm stance of the British government against Saudi expansion in the Persian Gulf. The British, who had substantial interests in the region, closely monitored Faisal's movements. Their support for the Bahraini sheikh and their strategic positions in the Gulf influenced the broader regional dynamics.
Battle of Mesaimeer The
Battle of Mesaimeer was a significant military engagement in the Persian Gulf region, taking place from June 2-4, 1851, near the village of
Mesaimeer in
Qatar. Faisal bin Turki, having consolidated his power in central Arabia, sought to extend his influence to the Gulf coast, with the ultimate aim of controlling Bahrain and its lucrative pearl fisheries. His strategy involved using Qatar as a stepping stone for this expansion. This campaign, which began in May 1851, marked his third attempt at invading the island. Opposing Faisal were the local Qatari tribes led by
Mohammed bin Thani and his son
Jassim bin Mohammed, progenitors of the future
ruling family of Qatar. Although nominally allied with Bahrain, which was represented by the forces of Ali bin Khalifa, the Qatari forces acted largely independently during the battle. The engagement unfolded in three phases. On 2 June, initial clashes resulted in unexpected setbacks for Faisal's forces near
Al Bidda (modern
Doha). The next day, 3 June, witnessed intense fighting, with Qatari forces under Jassim bin Muhammad launching a determined close-quarters assault on Faisal's forces near Al Bidda. Finally, on 4 June, further engagements occurred, culminating in the retreat of Faisal's forces to their camp at Mesaimeer. British sources, notably dispatches from
political resident Samuel Hennell, confirm the defeat of Wahhabi forces on June 2 and 4. Shortly after the final day of battle, Mohammed bin Thani sent a letter to Faisal's camp requesting peace and agreeing to be his subject, to which Faisal obliged. Following British interference on the side of Bahrain in order to prevent the
Ottoman Empire from gaining a stronghold in the Peninsula and the loss of his ally Mubarak in a major naval engagement near
Qatif, Faisal was forced to reassess of his strategy. Relinquishing his designs upon Bahrain, Faisal made a conciliatory overture on 20 July, 1851, proposing to dispatch his two brothers and son to parley with Ali bin Khalifa aboard his ship. This proposal, however, met with unequivocal rejection from Ali bin Khalifa. Due to the mediation efforts of
Saeed bin Tahnun Al Nahyan, an agreement between Ali bin Khalifa and Faisal was reached on 25 July. The resultant accord stipulated that Ali would remit 4,000 German krones annually as zakat to Faisal, while the latter agreed to restore Al Bidda Fort to Ali bin Khalifa and to abstain from interference in Qatari affairs.
Later reign Following unsuccessful attempts to gain authority in Al Qassim, Faisal appointed his younger brother Jiluwi governor to the region. He governed the Emirate with success until his death in December 1865. However, around the end of his rule the
de facto ruler of the Emirate was his heir and son, Abdullah, and infighting among his four sons eventually destroyed the state. ==Personal life and death==