The Bani Utub move from central Arabia into the northern gulf in the early 1800s, and one of its families, the House of Sabah, establishes itself as leaders of present-day Kuwait; another family, the Al Khalifa, establishes itself in present-day Bahrain.

A number of other tribes are living along the gulf in the early 1800s.

Thus, Al Sabah and Al Khalifa control means that these families rule loosely over other tribes.

Before taking Bahrain, the Al Khalifa first had established a settlement across the water on the peninsula that is present-day Qatar.

Although the Al Khalifa are successful in taking Bahrain, they are unable to hold Qatar.

They lose the peninsula to the Al Thani, the leading family from another tribe that, like the Bani Utub, had recently moved into the area.

The exact origins of the Al Thani are unknown, but they are already in Qatar when the Al Khalifa arrive.