Al-Sharat: A Historical Journey Through the Levant
Al-Sharat is a region of profound historical significance, situated in the heart of the Levant. From the early days of the Muslim conquests to the era of the Ottoman Empire, this territory has served as a strategic crossroads, shifting between various administrative provinces and empires. Its landscape, characterized by fertile lands and rugged mountains, has shaped the political and social dynamics of the region for over a millennium.
Early Islamic Administration and Regional Shifts
Following the Muslim conquest of the Levant, Al-Sharat was initially established as the southern kurah (district) of Jund Dimashq, the Province of Damascus. However, by the late 9th century, the Tulunids reassigned the district to Jund Filastin (Province of Palestine) for practical reasons, as Al-Sharat was geographically closer to Filastin than to Damascus.
By 985, during the late Abbasid period, the geographer Al-Muqaddasi described Al-Sharat as an independent district within the broader province of Bilad al-Sham (Islamic Syria), rather than belonging to either Dimashq or Filastin.
Fertility and Tribal Dynamics
The region was contiguous with Al-Jibal, often identified as the mountains of Edom. The Persian geographer Al-Istakhri, writing before 957, noted that the Palestinian districts were exceptionally rich and fertile, though they were frequently plagued by marauding Bedouin tribes. During the late 10th century, the region saw a power struggle for dominance between the established Yamani tribes of Lakhm and Judham and the arriving Tayy tribe.
Under the Fatimid Caliphate, specifically during the reign of Caliph Al-Aziz (975–996), Al-Sharat—specifically the area south of Wadi Mujib—may have been elevated to its own province, a status it maintained until the arrival of the Crusaders in the early 12th century.
The Crusader Era and the Lordship of Oultrejordain
The Crusaders annexed Al-Sharat in the 1110s. While it was first part of the royal demesne of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, it was reorganized in 1126 into the feudal lordship of Oultrejordain. This jurisdiction was expansive, stretching from the Zarqa River in the north to the Red Sea in the south.
To secure their hold on the region, the Crusaders constructed two major fortresses: Montreal (Shawbak) in 1115 and Crac (Al-Karak) in 1145. These sites became the administrative and military hubs of the lordship.
By the mid-12th century, the population consisted primarily of Bedouin from various Qaysi tribes. Despite the military tensions, the geographer Muhammad al-Idrisi recorded that the district remained highly productive, yielding an abundance of pomegranates, grapes, figs, almonds, and olives.
From Ayyubid Conquest to Ottoman Rule
The tide turned in 1187 when the Ayyubids, led by Saladin, conquered Bilad al-Sharat. During this period, the Syrian geographer Yaqut al-Hamawi noted that the mountainous terrain of Al-Sharat was vital as it hosted the Hajj caravan road connecting Damascus to Mecca.
Under subsequent Mamluk rule, the region was reorganized as Mamlakat al-Karak (Province of al-Karak). As time progressed into the mid-19th century, the region faced instability due to the encroachment of the Huwaytat Bedouin tribe. This period of anarchy led many Christians from al-Karak and Tafilah to migrate northward.
During the Ottoman era, Bilad al-Sharat—with the exception of Aqaba—was largely incorporated into the Ottoman district known as Mutassarifyya al-Karak.
Key Facts
- Administrative Shifts: Moved from Jund Dimashq to Jund Filastin, and was later a distinct province under the Fatimids.
- Crusader Strongholds: The fortresses of Montreal (Shawbak) and Crac (Al-Karak) were central to the Lordship of Oultrejordain.
- Agricultural Wealth: Historically renowned for producing olives, almonds, figs, grapes, and pomegranates.
- Strategic Importance: Served as a critical route for the Hajj caravan traveling from Damascus to Mecca.
- Tribal Influence: Shaped by the Lakhm, Judham, Tayy, Qaysi, and Huwaytat tribes.
| Period/Era | Administrative Entity | Key Feature/Event |
|---|---|---|
| Early Muslim Conquest | Jund Dimashq | Southern kurah (district) |
| Late 9th Century | Jund Filastin | Attached by the Tulunids for proximity |
| Late 10th Century | Fatimid Caliphate | Possible independent province south of Wadi Mujib |
| 1110s - 1187 | Kingdom of Jerusalem / Oultrejordain | Construction of Shawbak and Al-Karak fortresses |
| 1187 - Mamluk Era | Ayyubids / Mamluks | Hajj route and Mamlakat al-Karak |
| Mid-19th Century | Ottoman Empire | Part of Mutassarifyya al-Karak (except Aqaba) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Al-Sharat moved from the Province of Damascus to the Province of Palestine?
The Tulunids reassigned Al-Sharat to Jund Filastin for practical reasons, as the district was geographically closer to Palestine than it was to Damascus.
What were the primary fortifications built by the Crusaders in Al-Sharat?
The Crusaders built the fortress of Montreal (Shawbak) in 1115 and the fortress of Crac (Al-Karak) in 1145, both of which served as major centers for the lordship of Oultrejordain.
Which crops were historically abundant in the Al-Sharat region?
According to the geographer Muhammad al-Idrisi, the region was highly fertile and produced large quantities of olives, almonds, figs, grapes, and pomegranates.
What was the significance of Al-Sharat during the Ayyubid period?
During Ayyubid rule, Al-Sharat was a mountainous region that served as a critical passage for the Hajj caravan road traveling from Damascus to Mecca.
How did the Huwaytat tribe affect the region in the 19th century?
The encroachment of the Huwaytat Bedouin tribe created a period of anarchy in the southern parts of Bilad al-Sharat, which prompted Christians from al-Karak and Tafilah to flee to the north.