Qishla of Mecca

The Qishla of Mecca (Arabic: قشلة مكة;Turkish: Mekke Redif Kışlası) was a fortress in Mecca, in what is now Saudi Arabia. Built in the eighteenth century as a military castle of the Ottoman Army, the building was located in the Jarwal district on the western side of the city.[1] In the early hours of 10 June 1916, the barracks was attacked by Sharifian forces and its soldiers besieged.[1]

It was demolished by the Saudi government to build several modern hotels facing the Grand Mosque.[2][3]

Etymology

The word Qishla (modern Turkish: Kışla) is a Turkish word meaning barracks.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Peters, Francis E. (1994). Mecca: A Literary History of the Muslim Holy Land. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-03267-2.
  2. ^ "Never-ending destruction of historical sites in Mecca and Medina, cradle of Islam". ArabAmericanNews. 2021-05-15. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  3. ^ "Saudi Arabia Bulldozes Over Its Heritage". Time. Retrieved 2023-01-05.