The places King Abdulaziz Al Saud passed through on his journey to begin unifying the Kingdom.
Knowledge Affairs – Special
The unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was not a conventional or ordinary undertaking. Rather, it passed through major historical events that highlight the greatness of the Saudi people and their long struggle to establish this country, which had lived through fragmentation, differences, and division for more than eight centuries. It then awakened to the call for unity and unification within a free and independent entity, with vast and secure borders and extensive regions that form a continent in their own right. These regions began to find their path toward advancement and development, transforming the country into a modern state by every technological, urban, economic, and cultural standard.
Various studies written about King Abdulaziz—may he rest in peace—agree that his unification of the Kingdom under one banner was akin to a historical miracle. He restored the rule of his fathers and forefathers and announced the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over 30 years of struggle, between 1902 and 1932, in a national journey that did not end even after unification. He moved from the struggle for unification to the struggle for construction, establishment, and development.
The Road to Riyadh:
The founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud—may his soul rest in peace—passed through numerous prominent stations, towns, and fortresses during his journey to establish and unify the Kingdom. The journey began from Kuwait and Al-Naqirah, which served as the major starting point for the epic of the recapture of Riyadh in late Rabi’ Al-Thani 1319 AH. He then reached Nata‘, Al-Uyaynah, and Al-Jafurah, before proceeding to Al-Masmak Palace, which represented the central and major symbolic station in Riyadh. These places formed prominent milestones in the epic of unification that began with his departure from Kuwait.
The town of Al-Naqirah was the first station visited by King Abdulaziz on his way to recapture Riyadh. Al-Naqirah is adjacent to Nuqair, and both are located northeast of Al-Nu’ayriyah, 65 kilometers away, and southwest of Al-Khafji Governorate, 120 kilometers away. King Abdulaziz passed through Al-Khafji Governorate until he reached Al-Naqirah. Today, it is a center covering an area of 55,000 square kilometers, with a population of 5,000, and is administratively affiliated with Al-Nu’ayriyah Governorate.
He then headed toward the center of Nata‘, or Inta‘—depending on the local dialect—which is located 30 kilometers south of Al-Nu’ayriyah Governorate. It was one of the centers visited by King Abdulaziz on his way to Riyadh. He rested to its west after arriving from Mulayjah, before heading toward As-Sarrar and the villages of Wadi Al-Miyah. Nata‘ is distinguished by its historic village, considered one of the oldest villages in the Arabian Peninsula. It is also known for King Abdulaziz Palace, which was built from mud after King Abdulaziz Al Saud—may he rest in peace—ordered its construction in 1347 AH, to serve as a palace of government in the Wadi Al-Miyah region.
The journey then continued toward Al-Uyaynah, or Al-Awaynah, where a number of fighters joined King Abdulaziz in the effort to recapture Riyadh. Their number is estimated at 1,400 fighters. Al-Uyaynah is located 200 kilometers northwest of Dammam and 260 kilometers northeast of Riyadh. It is known for several wells, such as Ain Al-Hamrah and Ain Dala‘ah, and today it is a popular destination for many visitors and picnickers during the spring season.
As for Al-Jafurah, it is located 100 kilometers south of Al-Ahsa Governorate. King Abdulaziz and his men stayed there for approximately 50 days before setting out to recapture Riyadh. Al-Jafurah consists of vast stretches of sand extending northward near the port of Al-Uqair and southward from Al-Ahsa, with its southern expanse extending until it merges with the sands of the Empty Quarter. Al-Jafurah witnessed the stay of King Abdulaziz and his men after leaving the area through which they had been moving between Haradh and Yabrin. They headed toward the northern edges of these sands and remained there for 50 days, beginning on the first of Sha‘ban. On the 20th of Ramadan, King Abdulaziz departed from this location toward the wells of Al-Zarqounah, where he obtained the water needed for the next fifteen-day stage, which was the period required by the founding King on his journey from Al-Jafurah to the conquest of Riyadh.
Arrival at Al-Masmak:
King Abdulaziz eventually reached Riyadh and succeeded in taking control of Al-Masmak Palace, which became a national cultural landmark and a historical icon in the Al-Dira neighborhood for which the city of Riyadh became known. It had originally been a historic fortress before being transformed into a museum documenting the stages of the Kingdom’s founding in the heart of the Saudi capital. It became associated with the most important event in the history of the Kingdom, as it was the gateway through which the founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud entered when he recaptured the city of Riyadh in 1319 AH / 1902. This event paved the way for the establishment of the modern Saudi state and the unification of the remaining parts of the Kingdom into a flourishing civilizational state that today leads the Arab and Islamic worlds and safeguards the heritage and documented knowledge memory of Arab and Islamic history.
References:
