By 1888–1890, when the British signed treaties of protection with the rulers of the area, incorporating it into the Aden Protectorate, there were four states, their rulers known to the British by different titles: the ruler of Biʾr ʿAlī was a sultan, that of Balḥāf a tribal chief and those of Ḥawra and ʿIrqa shaykhs.
From 1888 to 1890, when Britain signed treaties with rulers in the area, incorporating it into the Aden Protectorate, there were four states. The leaders of these states were known by different titles: Biʾr ʿAlī's ruler was a sultan, Balḥāf's leader was a tribal chief, and those of Ḥawra and ʿIrqa were shaykhs.