'File 61/13 I (D 133) Wahabis and Pilgrimage to Hedjaz' [‎95v] (202/431)

of purchasers of fresh tickets, were ready to sail, ihere was, m the opinion of
the Indian vice-consul, no plausible reason ior the delay, as anotxiei ship of the
same line was also in harbour, and a third was on its ^ fi oni India. A
considerable number of the waiting pilgrims, headed by one Syed Ahmed, a
brother of Dr. Syed Mahmoud. secretary to the All-India Congress Committee,
threatened a demonstration. The matter was adjusted at the instance of the
Legation, although His Majesty's Minister has no legal power to control shipping
in such matters. In the event, the Jehangir sailed three days earlier than the
date at first proposed. The fact that she carried her full complement of pilgrims
shows that there was no reasonable ground for holding her back
129. The growth in the number of well-to-do and educated pilgrims in
proportion to the total number coming from India, has directed attention to tiu.
insufficiency of first and second class accommodation for the return voyage.
Pilgrims of this class are naturally eager to get back as soon as possible after
the Haj. In some cases they are reduced to travelling on deck rather than wait,
although they thereby sacrifice money as well as comfort, for the shipping
companies allowed no refund. In three steamers of the Mogul Line, sailing in May
1931, fifty first and thirty-two second class ticket-holders travelled on deck, and
five first class passengers travelled second class. The shortage of accommodation
also creates a traffic in cabins reserved for the ships" officers, who make a personal
profit by letting them to pilgrims desirous of greater space and comfort. This
would not be open to any grave objection, if it were practised on a moderate scale
and the extra charges were controlled. When, however, officers' accommodation
is thus let to pilgrims on any considerable scale, it affects the comfort of all
first and second class - passengers, as the officers who have vacated their own
cabins are compelled to encroach on the saloon and deck accommodation intended
for such passengers. It is alleged that in one case this year, every member of a
ship's complement entitled to cabin room, from the master down to the clerks,
let it to pilgrims at rates varying from 1,200 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. to 400 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. for the voyage
from Jedda to India. His Majesty's Minister has drawn the attention of the
Government of India to the matter in a separate despatch, in w r hich he dealt also
with another and even more undesirable practice, whereby deck space reserved
or said to be reserved for the use of members of the crew is divided off and let to
deck passengers.
130. The shortage of accommodation for passengers of the better class
increases the difficulty of dealing with conflicting claims on it. Pilgrims are
tempted to bring various influences to bear in order to secure priority of
departure, and in the past corrupt practices were common in the offices of the
sihipping agents. The Indian vice-consul has, in recent years, been instrumental
in establishing a system of rotation, under which passages are assigned, under
the direction of the local Haj Committee, in the order of arrival at Jedda, with
resort to ballot in the presence of the pilgrims themselves, in doubtful cases,
e.g., to decide between the claims of pilgrims arriving simultaneously. This
system has earned the commendation of pilgrims. Every effort is made to apply
it strictly, without regard to the standing or influence of those seeking return
accommodation, and, when it was first introduced, Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. Ihsanullah risked
Ibn Saud's displeasure by refusing to accord preferential treatment, even at the
King s request. It has since been thought politic to allow some relaxation in
favour of Royal guests, when the occasion arises.
131. The Indian vice-consul draws attention to a difficulty arising out of
the fact that pilgrims taking return tickets at Calcutta are compelled to land at
Bombay on their return, as the steamers go no further. First and second class
passengers complained that they could not obtain a refund of the difference in
fare from the agents in Jedda, who make the necessary refund to deck passengers
in the vice-consul s presence, but professed to have no instructions to make it
T • ^ 0 ther cases. The agents gave way and made the refunds on
Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. Ihsanullah s intervention, but he points out that it would obviate much
trouble and uneasiness if the carrying companies could be induced to charge for
the return voyage to Bombay only in the first instance, unless they can guarantee
shipment to Calcutta.
132 Some difficulty arose at Jedda in 1931 in connexion with pilgrims
who had come from India by way of Iraq, and had deposited money in India to
cover possible quarantine charges and the like in the latter country. A good
many of them, finding their resources depleted in the Hejaz, expected to be able