About the history of Qasr al Hosn
The solitary white palace was the seat of government of the Al Nahyan rulers of the emirate of Abu Dhabi from 1795 to 1966 and became the home of the ruler and his family. When Qasr Al Hosn was built, more than 200 years ago by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan, its main purpose was for defence as well as a place where everyday problems were solved and decisions made. During the reign of Sheikh Shakhbut, Qasr Al Hosn was extended, and with it, a shift in its purpose. He added rooms for his family, including a vast one for his mother, and rooms for his brothers: Sheikh Khalid; and Sheikh Hazza and one for the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates.
The eight rulers who succeeded Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab preserved the role of the palace so that it continued in its role as courthouse. Men presented their issue to the ruler; women presented their issues to Sheikha Salama (the mother of Sheikh Shakhbut).
Al Hosn was also the place where legal matters were dealt with between tribes. The sheikh would allocate a representative of his own to deal matters on his behalf. This was the case before Sheikh Zayed the First. At that time people tried to solve their own problems and if they were unable to do so they would go to the elder of the district. This person would be wise and experienced in tribal law and traditions. All these laws were preserved through oral tradition, and laws that were not recorded but known by inheritance and experience.
