Gharyan was on the trade routes both south to Fezzan and over the Nafusa Mountains. By 1884 the Ottomans had established a mayor and town council in Gharyan.
It was considered the center of Libyan resistance against the Italian invasion in the early 20th century. Many famous Libyan figures during the Italian invasion were from Gharyan such as Asharif Alghyriany.
2011 Libyan civil war
In 2011 the town became involved in the nationwide uprising. Initially successful, as of 2 March government forces retook it.
In April rebels succeeded in occupying several nearby towns and establishing a second territory in Western Libya besides that is no longer under the control of the Gaddafi forces, but as of late June the rebels had still failed to take Gharyan. On 13 August 2011, the rebel forces in Libya initiated a new battle for control of the city and were in control within two days
