Muscat (OM)
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Muscat (Arabic: مسقط, Masqaṭ, Portuguese: Mascate) is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat.Evidence of communal activity in the area around Muscat dates back to the 6th millennium BCE in Ras al-Hamra, where burial sites of fishermen have been found.The Portuguese maintained a hold on Muscat for over a century, despite challenges from Persia and a bombardment of the town by the Ottoman Turks in 1546.[14] The Turks twice captured Muscat from the Portuguese, in the Capture of Muscat (1552) and 1581-88. Having gained control over Zanzibar, in 1840 Said moved his capital to Stone Town, the ancient quarter of Zanzibar City; however, after his death in 1856, control over Zanzibar was lost when it became an independent sultanate under his sixth son, Majid bin Said (1834/5–1870), while the third son, Thuwaini bin Said, became the Sultan of Oman.
During the late 19th century, the port was administered for postal operations by the British India Company and Indian stamps were used.
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