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Saudi Arabia takes over Haj rest houses built by Tonk Begums

JAIPUR: The “rabbat” rest houses for Haj pilgrims built in Makkah by the Begums of the former Tonk kingdom in Rajasthan have been taken over by the Saudi Arabian authorities. This would mean that the Haj pilgrims from areas that fell under the former Tonk principality would no more enjoy the facility of free accommodation in Makkah -- at least during the current season.

Tonk, established by wandering tribesmen at the time of the British in India, was the lone Muslim kingdom in the whole of Rajputana in the past. Besides areas surrounding Tonk — now a district headquarters — the Nawabs of Tonk had small pockets outside Tonk under their domain such as Sironjh in Madhya Pradesh and Chabbara and Pirawa in other districts of Rajasthan.

The fact that the “rabbats” of the Tonk Begums stood closest to the Holy Kaba is said to be the reason for their acquisition by the Saudi Government, which is trying to make modern facilities available for stay of pilgrims in the vicinity of Makkah. Besides Khaliluzjamani, Usman Saheb and Imdadullah -- the three “rabbats” which have been taken over -- the one at Madina, owned by the Begums of Tonk, does not face any takeover threat.

“Five-star facility of stay in these rabbats was given free to the pilgrims from the former Tonk riyasat (principality). Now they would have to spend an additional Rs.20,000-30,000 or more for stay during their Haj pilgrimage to Makkah-Medina,” said Sahib Ismat Ali Khan, convener of the Haj Committee, Tonk.

Mr. Khan said the community members have been asked to be prepared for additional expenditure during the current Haj. “We have already started accepting application for the Haj pilgrimage and the aspirants have been told not to submit the ‘ijajatnama’ (application) for free stay in the rabbats at Makkah,” he informed.

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