Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGHTING FOR AN ARAB LAND (1914-46)
Writing of the Arab Revolt that passed through
the heart of Jordan in the early 20th century, TE
Lawrence described the phenomenon as 'an
Arab war waged and led by Arabs for an Arab
aim in Arabia'. This is a significant statement as
it identifies a growing sense of political identity
among Arab people throughout the last half of
the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. This pan-Arab consciousness grew al-
most in proportion (or at least coincidentally) to the territorial interest of Western powers in
Arab lands. Slowly, in place of loose tribal interests Arabs came to define themselves as a
single, unified entity - an Islamic 'other' perhaps to the Christian European threat pulsing
around the Suez.
Arabs were prepared to fight for this new Arab nationalism, as Lawrence describes in the
Seven Pillars of Wisdom,
his account of the Arab Revolt:
History shows that it was to take more than just 'spur and rein' to create viable Arab states;
indeed complex diplomacy, both within Arab countries and in their relationship with the
West, characterised the pursuit of nationalism throughout the 20th century.
Between 1775 and 1825, 87 volumes on aspects of
the Near East were published in Britain alone and
46 reviews of the same books appeared in leading
journals between 1805 and 1825.
THE HEJAZ RAILWAY
The Hejaz Railway was built between 1900 and 1908 to transport pilgrims from Damascus to the holy city of Medina,
reducing the two-month journey by camel and on foot to as little as three days. For Jordan, and Amman in particular,
this meant a boom in trade. The 1462km line was completely funded by donations from Muslims - but functioned for
less than 10 years. The trains and railway line were partially destroyed in the Arab Revolt of 1917 during WWI. The
line was rebuilt as far south as Ma'an, but is now only used for cargo. There is occasional talk of introducing a tourist
passenger service between Aqaba and Wadi Rum.
The Arab Revolt
Ironically, the new Arab nationalist movement cut its teeth not on a Western Christian en-
emy but on the Ottomans, the apathetic Muslim rulers who dominated most of the Middle
East, including the area either side of the Jordan River. The revolt was fought by Arab war-
riors on horseback, loosely formed into armies under Emir Faisal, the ruler of Mecca and
