Tabāla

Tabalah lies in a broad valley northwest of Bishah, between the Sarawat highlands and the inland plains. Its old buildings and the foundations of a market reflect the settlement's long history. Before Islam the district was associated with Dhu al-Khalasah, a sanctuary revered by Arabian tribes; Islamic tradition recounts its destruction by Jarir ibn Abd Allah.

During the expansion of the first Saudi state, a fortified residence was built at Tabalah for Shalan, a local leader. In 1815 Muhammad Ali's army marched into the Bishah country after defeating Saudi forces at Basal. It besieged the fort and used artillery against its walls. Shalan and many of his defenders were killed when the position fell, bringing the struggle between the Egyptian campaign and the Saudi state to this valley.