QASR AL HOSN Abu Dhabi | History of Abu Dhabi

Qasr al-Hosn, also known as the White Fort (originally not white in colour but painted bright white during 1976–1983 renovations) or Old Fort,[4] was constructed in 1761 as a conical watchtower to defend the only freshwater well in Abu Dhabi island.[1] The tower was later expanded into a small fort in 1793 by the then ruler, Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan, and became the permanent residence of the ruling Sheikh.[1] The tower took its present shape after a major extension in the late 1930s, aided by revenues received for granting the first oil license in Abu Dhabi.[5] It remained the emir's palace (hence the name Qasr al-Hosn, meaning Palace fort) and seat of government until 1966.[1](Wikipedia)