Samuel Miles offers unique insights on Oman
This article discusses the European perspective and outlook towards the Arab region, with a focus on the study of Oman in the nineteenth century, through the interest of Orientalists—particularly the British—in its strategic location and resources. It highlights the figure of the British Orientalist Samuel Barrett Miles, who lived in Oman for nine years during the reign of Sultan Turki bin Saeed, and who provided detailed reports on the geography, society, customs, and history—despite some researchers' critique of his colonialist tone and biases. The article also emphasizes the importance of these studies in uncovering historical and geographical information, even though they contained distorted images and negative judgments about Omani society. It points out scholars’ observations regarding Miles’s approach, which often focused on material aspects and civilizational achievements while neglecting deeper analysis of social personalities. Additionally, it notes that while these studies have contributed to understanding certain aspects of Oman, they require ongoing critique and analysis.
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