Sultanate of Lahej

Sultanate of Lahej
سلطنة لحج (Arabic)
1728–1967
Map of the Sultanate of Lahej
Map of the Sultanate of Lahej
Map of the Sultanate of Lahej in its region
Map of the Sultanate of Lahej in its region
StatusQasimid State (1728–1740)
Independent
(1740–1872)
Aden Protectorate (1872–1963)
Federation of South Arabia (1963–1967)
CapitalLahij
Religion
Sunni Islam
GovernmentSultanate
Sultan 
History 
• Beginning of self-rule
1728
• Independence from the Zaidi Imamate
1740
1839
1872
1967
Population
• 1960 estimate
50,000
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Qasimid state
Aden Settlement
South Yemen
Today part ofYemen

Lahej (Arabic: لحج Laḥij), the Sultanate of Lahej (Arabic: سلطنة لحج Salṭanat Laḥij), or, sometimes, the Abdali Sultanate (Arabic: سلطنة العبدلي Salṭanat al-'Abdalī), was a Sheikdom based in Lahij in Southern Arabia. The Sultanate became self-ruling in 1728 and gained independence in 1740. In 1839, the Sultanate became part of the Aden Protectorate of the British Empire, though nominally the 'Abdali Sultan retained his status. The Aden Protectorate was briefly ruled again by the Ottomans during World War I, but regained by the British after the Ottoman defeat in World War I and absorbed into Federation of South Arabia in 1963. The 'Abdali dynasty was officially abolished in 1967, with the proclamation of South Yemen.