Of later years, both the religious and political state of Medina underwent an important alteration ; nor can its condition at the present time be precisely ascertained. The environs of the city gave birth to a i\lahomctan sheik, named Abdoulwchhab, about the year 1720, who, after pursuing his studies here, contemplated great in novations on certain principles of the Alusselman faith. But finding Medina itself unsuitable to his views, he left it to make a proselyte of Ibn Saaoud, prince of the Arabs, whose son Abdclaaziz endeavoured, in suc ceeding years, to subdue all the neighbouring countries. The Scheriff of Mecca, unable to resist his forces, reti red to Medina in 1802 ; but the city proving untenable, he again withdrew. However, it withstood a body of troops sent from Mecca, which had been pillaged pre viously, and their commander Saaoud was obliged to retreat to Draaija, the capital of the sectaries, seven teen days journey east of Medina. But Saaoud having renewed the attack after his father had been assassina ted in 1803, rendered himself master of Medina in 1804, where his followers shut and scaled the doors of the temple, destroyed all the ornaments of the sepul chre, and took possession of the vast treasures which superstition had accumulated. In 1805, the great ca ravan from Damascus obtained access to the city only by means of heavy sacrifices ; and the reformers sig nified to the pasha, that in future it should come no longer under protection of the Turks, or accompanied by troops, trophies, music, or women, but that it should consist of pilgrims exclusively. The caravan having
attempted to travel thither next year, without strictly conforming to these injunctions, had hardly reached the gates of Medina when it was obliged to retire in disorder, persecuted and annoyed by the sectaries. De votion to the person of the prophet being prohibited as sinful, the reformers refrain from visiting his tomb ; and they have destroyed the sepulchres, chapels, and temples erected in honour of saints. In the year 1807, the whole priests, servants, and slaves belonging to the mosque of Mahornet's tomb at Medina, were command ed instantly to quit the city, as also all pilgrims and soldiers, together with the Turkish judge. A com plete revolution, both religious and political, was thus accomplished ; but we have understood, that in the year 1817 or 1818 the Emperor of Turkey, in order to regain his influence in Arabia, sent a large military force against the teformers, by which they were feated, and their leader, being taken prisoner, was car ried to Constantinople, and there put to death. Lat. 24^ North, Long. RI East. 240 miles north of Mec ca. (c)