Vintage police motorcycles used to escort the UAE's Founding Father Sheikh Zayed at official events are on display in Abu Dhabi.
The distinctive red bikes helped guide processions involving Sheikh Zayed in the late 1960s, before he united the emirates to form the UAE in 1971.
Abu Dhabi Police are showing part of the historic fleet at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.
The Police Legacy Department is educating visitors about the growth of the Abu Dhabi force since its formation in 1957.
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The National Archives wing at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. -
The National Archives wing at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi takes visitors between the past and the future of the UAE. All photos by Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
On display are antique collectibles and memorabilia. -
University students work as docents at the wing, says Farhan Al Marzooqi. -
Visitors peek through the viewing gallery at the National Archives pavilion. -
Children looking at old photos displayed at the exhibition. -
The exhibition has been divided into sections, detailing the rich history of each decade. -
A young boy puts on VR head gear at the National Archives pavilion. -
People playing the Al Maseera board game, which is similar to Monopoly. -
The game simulates the events and life of UAE’s Founding Father Sheikh Zayed.
The annual event, which celebrates the rich culture of the Emirates dating back centuries, runs until February 20 in Al Wathba.
Other exhibits on show include documents detailing treaties with British troops from the 1600s and a painting of the Fortress of Bidiya in Fujairah.
A significant letter written by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab, then ruler of Abu Dhabi, in the early 1800s is also on display.
Military medals and the first one-dirham note are on show. The dirham was introduced in 1973 and the first coin was minted in the 1980s.
Cash notes called the “external rupees” or “Gulf rupees” printed in India were used in the UAE before the dirham.
The Gulf rupee notes had the same design as the Indian currency but were a different colour.
