'File 61/13 I (D 133) Wahabis and Pilgrimage to Hedjaz' [‎187r] (385/431)

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posted in the bazaar at Bahrein last autumn that the Saudi authorities would
be prepaied to carry up to fifty pilgrims to the Hejaz for £10 gold, or £15 gold
return. The notice was withdrawn on the representations of the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. .
Subsequently, an Indian, named Zafar Mirza, has been working to obtain sanction
to open this route in connexion with sailings from Karachi to Bahrein. His
pretensions to have secured a concession from the Saudi Government were denied
by the Minister of inance. The Legation maintained its attitude of
discouraging the use of all unorganised or semi-organised overland routes.
101. A further overland route engaged the attention of a number of enter
prising Syrians, who in two convoys made the journey, after the Haj, from
Damascus to Medina, via the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Sirhan and the Hejaz Railway track, with
great hardship in seventeen days. They returned in less time and with less
difficulty via Mudawwara and Maan.
Camels.
102. Those who travelled by camels this year experienced unusual difficul
ties, both in respect of delay and hardships; and written and verbal complaints
were numerous. Under transport regulations, a camelman could get no more
than 34 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. for the journey to Medina and back out of the total of £10 gold
Or 240 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. recovered from a pilgrim against this item; the balance passes to
the Government Treasury. The poverty of the camelmen, coupled with the local
drought in Medina, sent up the price of fodder and camels practically starved,
becoming too weak to carry their loads. Pilgrims had often, therefore, to walk
long distances.
103.—(a) At paragraph 92 above it has been mentioned that out of
835 pilgrims arriving by the Islami, forty-five travelled to Mecca by motor vehicles
and eighty by camels, while the rest walked on foot. This news greatly agitated
the Saudi Minister of Finance, who ordered an investigation. It transpired
that camelmen were evading the regulations by hiring their camels to pedestrian
pilgrims for a nominal sum, after having passed through the "Koshan" gate
of Jedda. The camels found thus engaged were forfeited to the Government and
the camelmen imprisoned ; subsequently the latter were released and the camels
returned to them, but it served as a warning both to the Wakils Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. at Jedda and to the
camelmen.
(b) About 1,000 souls travelled from Koweit by camel, being exempted from
payment of dues. They travelled via Burayda, instead of by the designated
route through Jerriya-ilya.
Cabs.
104. The same practice as last year was followed in respect of the use of
cabs in the town of Mecca.
Dhows.
105. (Reference paragraph 78 of last year's report.) As the arrangement
was renewed for one year only, the Government of India were again asked to
continue the arrangements between Messrs. Turner, Morrison and Co. and
selves for the conveyance of pilgrims and their luggage between ship and s ore
and vice versa for a further period of one year. It, however, had again cer am
defects and was a source of complaint and was to receive the attention o e
Legation for further recommendation to the Government oi India.
General.
106. No attempt even was made this year to prevent pilgrims from travelling
on foot between Mecca and Jedda, and many of the poorer, especially Afg an
and Bokharan, pilgrims did so travel. But the prohibition '
to Medina was more strictly enforced. Those willing to walk to Medina had
to obtain permission from the Saudi Government. Mut f w ^f^^[led on fwt
responsible. Nevertheless, a good number of pilgrims actually travelled on foot
to Medina.
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