The British relations with the Gulf region, including Qatar inaugurated with the establishment of the East India Company’s Factory at Basra in 1635, to explore the Arabian trade. Nevertheless, with the passage of time the primary economic activities gave way to the formal political functions. Eventually, Imperial Britain establishes its hold in the Gulf including Qatar under the pretext of protection of the shipping lines in the Gulf and its overland routes to India. By the 1820s, Britain was able to sign the General Treaty of Peace with the Gulf Littoral Arab rulers. Although, Qatar never acceded to this so called Peace Treaty, Britain obliged the Peninsula to abide by its terms. However, Qatar was brought under the Maritime Truce of 1835, which outlawed all welfare during the Pearl fishing season. In 1836, the Restrictive Line was extended from Sir Bu Nair Island by way of the Qatari Island of Halul.