Pilgrims And Sultans: The Hajj Under The Ottomans 1517-1683

Description

The pilgrimage to Mecca - the Hajj - is a major aspect of the Islamic religion, yet little has been written about its history or of the conditions under which thousands of pilgrims from far flung regions of the Islamic world were able to travel to the heart of the Arabian peninsula. The book concentrates on the pilgrimage in the 16th and 17th centuries, when Mecca was ruled by the Ottoman sultans. At a time when, for the majority of the faithful, the journey was long, arduous and fraught with danger, the provision of food, water, shelter and protection for pilgrims presented a major challenge to the provincial governors of the vast Ottoman Empire. Drawing on documentation left by Ottoman administrators, and on the accounts of contemporary pilgrims, this book deals with such issues as the financing of the pilgrimage and the political problems it posed. Contents Preface Note on Transliteration and Abbreviations List of Tables Introduction 1. The Pilgrimage to Mecca in Pre-Ottoman Times 2. Caravan Routes 3. Caravan Security 4. The Finances of the Holy Cities 5. In Praise of Ruler and Religion: Public Buildings in Mecca and Medina 6. The Pilgrimage as a Matter of Foreign Policy 7. The Pilgrimage in Economic and Political Contexts Conclusion Chronology Notes Bibliography Index