Trucial States 1960

In 1820 the British imposed a General Treaty of Peace on the nine Sheikhdoms in the area, upgraded to the Maritime Truce in 1835, revised and further upgraded in 1853 to the Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity. All sheikhdoms of “Trucial Oman” had to include the colour white in their flags as a sign they had signed the anti-piracy treaties. In 1960 the Trucial States Council was formed; its flag, with the traditional red and white, included a seven-pointed star, for the 7 sheikhdoms. Originally the flag was proposed with a nine-pointed star as it was hoped that Qatar and Bahrain would join the federation; this did not happen, so the flag only had seven points.