Muzayrib
Muzayrib
مُزَيْرِيب | |
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Town | |
UTC+3 (EEST ) |
Muzayrib (
History
Under the Ottomans, the town, well known for its springs and bazaars, served as the first major resting place along the Hajj caravan route from Damascus to Mecca. Along with al-Shaykh Saad, Muzayrib served as the main administrative center for the region of Hauran.[3] In the 16th century, a fort was built in the town on the orders of Ottoman Sultan, Selim I.[4] Its builder was a certain Hatim Tay.[5] The fort had a bent gateway, unlike other Hajj forts which had straight entrances, and was built from locally quarried basaltic rock.[4] Strategically located in the hinterland of Damascus, the fort at Muzayrib was the most solid demonstration of Ottoman power over Damascus, which experienced several revolts, including by the inhabitants or the local Janissary corps. Thus, the provincial leadership of Damascus stringently controlled Muzayrib. Because of its important role in the Hajj route, large quantities of dry cakes were stored in the fort to provide for pilgrims who were dependent on the cakes for sustenance during their traversal of the desert or to supply the inhabitants of Damascus in case of a shortage.[6] The fort also served as a place where the Damascus authorities collected taxes from pilgrims and where the amir al-hajj (Hajj caravan commander) distributed money to Bedouin tribal chiefs to dissuade them from attacking the Hajj pilgrims.[5]
Instead of local Janissaries, imperial troops were stationed at the fort of Muzayrib.
In 1838
The city was connected to the Ottoman telegraph network based in Damascus by 1875.
References
- ^ a b c General Census of Population and Housing 2004. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Daraa Governorate. (in Arabic)
- ^ واجب- خاص. قتيلان وستة جرحى في شجار عشائري في تجمع المزيريب للاجئين الفلسطينيين (in Arabic). تجمع العودة الفلسطيني - واجب. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ Newbold, 1846, p. 337
- ^ a b Nicolle, 2010, p. 25
- ^ a b Petersen 2012, p. 55
- ^ Douwes, 2000, p. 106
- ^ Peters, 1995, p. 154
- ^ a b c d e Petersen 2012, p. 56
- ^ Peters, 1995, p. 373
- ^ Rogan, 2009, Chapter 2.
- ^ Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 161
- ^ Socin, 1876, p. 404
- ^ Schumacher, 1897, p. 167
- ^ a b Philipp; Schäbler, 1998, p. 85
- ^ Hograth, 2011, pp. 220-221
Bibliography
- Douwes, Dick (2000). The Ottomans in Syria: a history of justice and oppression. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 1860640311.
- ISBN 9781108042079.
- Newbold, Captain (1846). "On the Site of Ashtaroth". JSTOR 1798240.
- ISBN 9781846035036.
- Peters, F. E. (1995). The Hajj: The Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca and the Holy Places. Princeton University Press. ISBN 069102619X.
Muzayrib.
- Petersen, Andrew (2012). "8: The Hajj Route in Syria". The Medieval and Ottoman Hajj Route in Jordan: An Archaeological and Historical Study. Council for British Research in the Levant. ISBN 978-1842175026.
- Philipp, Thomas; Schäbler, Brigit (1998). The Syrian Land: Processes of Integration and Fragmentation. Franz Steiner Verlag. ISBN 9783515073097.
- Robinson, E.; Smith, E. (1841). Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the year 1838. Vol. 3. Boston: Crocker & Brewster.
- ISBN 978-0465020065.
- Socin, A. (1876). Palestine and Syria: Handbook for travellers. Karl Baedeker.
- Schumacher, G. (1897). "Der Südliche Basan". Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palästina-Vereins. 19–20: 65–227.