Ras al-Khaimah has been the site of human habitation for several millennia and there are many historical and archaeological sites throughout the emirate dating from different time periods, including remnants of the Umm an-Nar Culture (3rd millennium BC).
The city was historically known as Julfar. Archaeological evidence has demonstrated that the settlement known as Julfar shifted location over time as harbour channels silted up. Excavations of a sizable tell, which revealed remnants of a Sassanid era fortification, indicate that early Julfar was located in the Shamal area, not far from other sites of historical/archaeological interest such as Sheba's Palace and the largest Umm an-Nar tombs found on the Arabian Peninsula. Sources say that Julfar was inhabited by the Azd (a branch of the Kahlan tribe) during the eighth and ninth centuries AD, and that the houses of the Azd were built of wood.
In the early 18th century, the Qawasim (Al Qasimi) clan established itself in Ras al-Khaimah.
In the early 19th century, a British naval force attacked and occupied Ras al-Khaimah to put a stop to the powerful maritime stranglehold of the Qawasem, who posed a threat to British imperialism, and endangered their ships in the Indian Ocean.
After British occupation (18 December 1819 – July 1821), in 1822, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi signed the General Maritime Treaty of 1820 with Britain, accepting a protectorate to keep the Ottoman Turks out. Like Ajman, Dubai, Umm al-Qaiwain and Sharjah, its position on the route to India made it important enough to be recognized as a salute state.
In 1869, Ras al-Khaimah became fully independent from neighbouring Sharjah. However, from September 1900 to 7 July 1921, it was re-incorporated into Sharjah; the last governor became its next independent ruler.
On 11 February 1972, Ras al-Khaimah, under the leadership of Sheikh Saqr bin Muhammad al-Qasimi, joined the United Arab Emirates
