Western Influence in Ottoman Lands / Jordan

‘The history of Jordan during the Ottoman period is concentrated on three main subjects: administration, Hajj forts or citadels and pilgrimage stations and the Hijaz Railway system.’

The history of Jordan during the Ottoman period is concentrated on three main subjects: administration, Hajj forts or citadels and pilgrimage stations and the Hijaz Railway system.
The administrative system of Jordan, specifically during the second phase of Ottoman rule (1864–1918), consisted of two main geographical districts: Ajlun and Irbid in the north and Salt, Kerak, Ma'an and Tafileh in the south. All of these districts came under the jurisdiction of the governor of Syria who was the highest administrative authority of Bilad al Sham. In 1878, the Ottomans introduced Circassian emigrants to Arab lands, and these settlers established new villages and cities influenced by the different cultures that had settled in Jordan.

NameDynastyDetailsJustification
Ajlun CastleHegira 579–658 / AD 1184–1260Ayyubid–MamlukAjlun, JordanThe castle was built by Muslim forces to secure the route between Syria and Egypt and to protect the important iron-mining industry in the area. Salah al-Din renovated it in 659/1261.
Karak CastleHegira 6th–8th century / AD 12th–14th centuryCrusader, Ayyubid–MamlukKarak, JordanThe castle was commissioned by Payen Le Boutellier (the Butler) in AH 534 / AD 1139, and was completed in AH 537/AD 1142. It was known as Crac de Moab, or simply 'le Crac', by the Franks.
The Fortress at Ma'anHegira 937 / AD 1531OttomanMa'an, JordanThe fortress, a station on the pilgrimage route, has an inscription that cites the Ottoman Sultan Sulayman the Magnificent as the founder.
NameDynastyDetailsJustification
The Fortress at Ma'anHegira 937 / AD 1531OttomanMa'an, JordanThe fortress, a station on the pilgrimage route, has an inscription that cites the Ottoman Sultan Sulayman the Magnificent as the founder.
Governor's house, (al-Saraya)Hegira 1304 / AD 1886OttomanIrbid, JordanIrbid became the seat of the Lieutenant-Governor of the Ajlun district in AH 1303/AD 1865. In 1299/1882 the governor of Damascus ordered that a new governor's house be built which was known as al-Saraya.