Kingdom of Hejaz: Map & History
The Hashemite Kingdom of Hejaz was a state in the Hejaz region of Western Asia that included the western portion of the Arabian Peninsula that was ruled by the Hashemite dynasty.
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The Hashemite Kingdom of Hejaz was a state in the Hejaz region of Western Asia that included the western portion of the Arabian Peninsula that was ruled by the Hashemite dynasty. It was self-proclaimed as a kingdom in June 1916 during the First World War, to be independent from the Ottoman Empire, on the basis of an alliance with the British Empire to drive the Ottoman Army from the Arabian Peninsula during the Arab Revolt.
Modern Countries Once Part of Kingdom of Hejaz
At its mapped extent, Kingdom of Hejaz covered territory in 3 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Jordan1917–1919 CE · nearly all
- Saudi Arabia1917–1925 CE · a small part
- Syria1918–1919 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Kingdom of Hejaz's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Kingdom of Hejaz in Depth
History
In their capacity as Caliphs, the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire would appoint an official known as the Sharif of Mecca. The role went to a member of the Hashemite family, but the Sultans typically promoted Hashemite intra-familial rivalries in their choice, preventing the building of a solid base of power in the Sharif.
With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the Sultan, Mehmed V, in his capacity as Caliph, declared a jihad against the Entente powers. The British in particular hoped to co-opt the Sharif as a weighty alternative religious figure backing them in the conflict. The British already had a series of treaties with other Arab leaders in the region and were also fearful that the Hejaz could be used as a base to attack their shipping to and from India.
Background
In 1908, the Young Turks took over the Ottoman Empire, and in 1909 when a counter-coup failed, the Young Turks "secularized" the government. Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca, was appointed by the previous Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and did not favor the Young Turks; his opposition to the empire grew over time, culminating in the Arab Revolt.
Hussein bin Ali, the Sharif and Emir of Mecca from 1908, enthroned himself as King of the Hejaz after proclaiming the Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, and continued to hold both of the offices of Sharif and King from 1916 to 1924. At the end of his reign he also briefly laid claim to the office of Sharifian Caliph; he was a 37th-generation direct descendant of Muhammad, as he belongs to the Hashemite family.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Kingdom of Hejaz (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Kingdom of Hejaz: Key Facts
| Capital | Mecca |
|---|---|
| Official language | Arabic |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Currency | Hejaz riyal |
| Founded | 10 June 1916 |
| Dissolved | 8 January 1926 |
Preceded by
- Hejaz Vilayet
Succeeded by
- Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz
- Sharifian Caliphate
Facts from Wikidata Q956357 (CC0).
Interactive map
Kingdom of Hejaz on the World War I map →
See Kingdom of Hejaz’s territory change day by day from 10 June 1916, with every battle it fought.
Kingdom of Hejaz Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 434,096 km² in 1919 CE.
Kingdom of Hejaz: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Kingdom of Hejaz exist?
The Kingdom of Hejaz is dated to 1916 CE – 1925 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of the Kingdom of Hejaz?
The capital of the Kingdom of Hejaz was Mecca, (1916–1924), Jeddah, (1924–1925).
How large was the Kingdom of Hejaz at its peak?
At its peak in 1919 the Kingdom of Hejaz covered about 434,096 km².
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