Treaty Flag “No 2” since 1820

The Qawasim, the ruling dynasty of Sharjah, had been the principal leaders of the Persian Gulf pirates from the early 18th century, raiding from their bases at Sharjah and especially Ra's al-Khaimah. As the British had been dealing mainly with them, they adopted the prescribed square “white pierced red” flag, but, as the Arab tribes preferred very long flags on their ships, they flew flags with proportions of 1:3, 1:4, or even 1:6. This flag, called the No. 2 flag, was also known as the Qasimi (singular of Al Qawasim) flag.