Security of the Ottoman pilgrimage road in the 18th century

Hajj is a religious duty of worship for every Muslim with sufficient health and financial means. Therefore, Muslims take a long and dangerous road to reach the sacred places. In the Ottoman Empire, where transportation facilities were limited, the pilgrimage was completed with a journey that lasted eight months. This journey, which lasted approximately eight months, brought many dangers. The most prominent of these dangers is the attack of urban bandits on camel trains. The safe completion of the pilgrims' journey was a critical issue for the prestige of the Sultan, who had the title of Khalif. Hence, many precautions have been taken on the road. Before the start of the journey, edicts were sent to the regional governors and they were asked to take the necessary precautions. To make the pilgrimage safe and more comfortable, castles and caravanserai were built along the way, and water wells were repaired. Tribes with whom agreements have been made in the region are assigned to both ensure the safety of pilgrims and guide them. While the journey continued over land throughout the 18th century, with the development of technology, sea transportation also became an alternative for performing the pilgrimage. Keywords: Hajj, Surre, Security, Urban, Pilgrimage Road, 18th Century.