Qal'at Murair
Fort in Qatar
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History
Qal'at Murair was built by families of the Utub confederation after their arrival to Zubarah from Kuwait in the 18th century.[2] It was built in attempt to thwart off challenges by the Al Musallam branch of the Bani Khalid, who ruled over most of Qatar.[3] They initiated the 1783 Utub invasion of Bahrain from the fort.[4] After the completion of nearby Al Zubarah Fort in 1938, it was decommissioned.[5] Its remnants were used to construct the Zubarah Fort.[6]
Description of the fort
This castle was built 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) outside the town of Zubarah with a channel and four walls lying between the town and the fort as well as a cemetery some 2,100 metres (6,900 ft) outside the town.[2] It was a fortified and was built to oversee and protect the town from any invaders. Inside the fort was a masjid known as Murair Masjid as well a well two fathoms deep, and outside the fort there are five wells one fathom deep, and all of its water is fresh.[1]