This gallery presents the political history of Qatar between 1500 and 1913, a fascinating and constantly evolving period in the nation’s past—from the first mention of Qatar in historical documents through to the reigns of Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani and Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani. In this gallery, you will learn about the time of great turbulence as Qatar engaged with the Portuguese, the Ottomans and the British, before Sheikh Jassim brought the tribes together under his leadership to create a unified country. An art film by Peter Webber provides a backdrop, symbolically evoking the final battle before unification, while the sounds and smells of warfare draw you into the gallery past beautiful models of Portuguese, Ottoman, British and Qatari ships. Objects on display include weapons, historic maps, items related to significant battles and personal possessions of the leaders of Qatar.