For over four centuries, between 1516 and 1918 CE, Jordan came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, a period often described as one of stagnation and neglect. The Ottomans viewed Jordan primarily as a strategic waypoint along the sacred pilgrimage route to Mecca, constructing fortresses like those at Qatrana to shield travellers from desert tribes and ensure access to food and water. However, their administration rarely reached deep into Jordan’s rugged deserts, and controlling the fiercely independent Bedouin tribes proved an elusive goal.

Towns crumbled, villages emptied, and agriculture withered during this time. Families and tribes frequently uprooted, seeking more hospitable homes across the land. While much of Jordan succumbed to decline, the Bedouins held steadfast to their ancestral ways, adapting to the untamed desert as they had for generations. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that Jordan began to see a modest resurgence, brought by waves of immigrants who breathed life back into the land.

The Ottomans’ contributions to infrastructure in Jordan were sparse at best, typically tied to religious objectives. Castles like Qatrana stood as bulwarks along the pilgrimage routes, while schools, mosques, baths, wells, and orphanages were constructed with faith-driven purposes in mind. Among the few noteworthy developments of this era was the Hijaz Railway, completed in 1908, connecting Damascus and al-Madina al-Munawwara. Envisioned to carry pilgrims on their sacred journeys to Mecca, the railway also became a lifeline for the Ottoman military, transporting troops and supplies deep into Arabia’s heart. This dual use, however, made it a target during the Great Arab Revolt in World War I, as rebels repeatedly attacked the railway in their fight for independence.

The story of Jordan under Ottoman rule is one of resilience and survival amidst neglect. Though villages and towns fell quiet, the enduring spirit of its people—particularly the Bedouins—remained unbroken, keeping alive traditions that echoed through the centuries. The desert landscapes of Jordan may have seemed still during those years, but beneath the surface, a legacy of resistance and adaptation was quietly taking root.