Mubarak Al-Sabah in the context of Battle of Riyadh (1902)

The Emirate of Kuwait (Arabic: إمارة الكويت, romanized: Imārat al-Kūwayt) was an Emirate under the protection of the British in the Middle East between 1899 and 1961 following the Anglo-Kuwaiti agreement of 1899. This agreement was made between Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah and the British Government in India, primarily as a defensive measure against threats from the Ottoman Empire. After 1961, the emirate became the State of Kuwait.

The Battle of Riyadh was a minor battle in Riyadh, then part of the Emirate of Ha'il, fought between the Rashidi dynasty and the House of Saud in January 1902 that resulted in the latter's takeover of walled town by Abdul-Aziz Ibn Saud. The battle is considered a prelude to the 30-year old unification war, culminating in the establishment of Saudi Arabia in 1932.

In late 1901, following the end of the Second Saudi State, the Al Saud clan was forced to move to Kuwait after Riyadh had fallen to the Al Rashid family. Ibn Saud, the head of the clan, requested supplies and men from the Kuwaiti Emir to retake his hometown. The Kuwaiti prince, who was also involved in several wars with the Rashidis, acceded to Ibn Saud's request and gave him horses and arms.

Muhammad bin Sabah Al-Sabah (Arabic: الشيخ محمد بن صباح الصباح; 1838 – 17 May 1896) also known as Noor Al Sabah, was the sixth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait between May 1892 and May 1896 during which he held the title of Pasha from the Ottoman Sultan. He was the second son of Sabah II Al-Sabah and succeeded his half-brother Abdullah II Al-Sabah upon his death in 1892.

When Muhammad came to power, disagreements soon arose between him and his half-brother Mubarak. Muhammad dealt with this by occupying Mubarak with foreign affairs, dispatching him to Hasa with an Ottoman force, and to the desert in order to settle affairs amongst tribes without providing funding.

Jaber II Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, CSI (1860 – 5 February 1917), was the eighth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait from the Al-Sabah dynasty. He was the eldest son of Mubarak Al-Sabah and is the ancestor of the Al-Jaber branch of the Al-Sabah family. He ruled the country from 28 November 1915 to his death on 5 February 1917 and was succeeded by his brother, Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.

Although his reign was very short, Jaber is known for economic reforms he initiated.

Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (Arabic: الشيخ سالم المبارك الصباح; 1864 – 23 February 1921) was the ninth ruler of the Sheikhdom of Kuwait.

The second son of Mubarak I he is the progenitor of the Al-Salim branch of the Al-Sabah family ruling from 5 February 1917 to 23 February 1921 after succeeding his brother Jabir II. Before becoming ruler, Salim was the governor of Kuwait City between 1915 and 1917, as well as the chief cavalry and infantry commander during the 1920 Battle of Jahra. His rule was succeeded by Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah following his death in February 1921.