Ebook: Hejaz Railway and the Ottoman Empire, The: Modernity, Industrialisation and Ottoman Decline

Railway expansion was symbolic of modernization in the late 19th century, and Britain, Germany and France built railways at enormous speed and reaped great commercial benefits. In the Middle East railways were no less important, and the Ottoman Empire's Hejaz Railway was the first great industrial project of the 20th century. Built by German engineers, and instituted by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the railway was financially crippling for the Ottoman state and its eventual stoppage 250 miles short of Mecca was symbolic of the Ottoman Empire's crumbling fortunes. This is the first book in English on the subject.;The historical development of railway construction in the Ottoman Empire -- Decision to construct the Hejaz railway -- Financing the Hejaz railway -- The construction of the Hejaz railway -- Forces resisting the Hejaz railway -- Were the expectations fulfilled?