Saudia Arabia - before the oil.

[Indus Pakistan]

Mention oil and KSA comes to mind. Mention Saudia Arabia and petrodollars come to mind. So ever wondered what was KSA like before oil gushed to make the kingdom rich? Maybe @Saif al-Arab can kick of with some pictures and insight into life in KSA before black gold?

Old Jeddah

Banu Yam men, Najran Province - Saudi Arabia circa.1930

Mr Bertram Thomas, Arabia Felix - Across The "Empty Quarter" of Arabia New York 1932

Old House Doors, Al Lith, Saudi Arabia.

Prince Khalid Street, Al Khobar - Dorothy Miller 1952

For me what is shocking is how oil can change fate of a nation within a generation or two. From zero to hero is amazing.

The best account of pre oil KSA is by Bertram Thomas who travelled all over KSA in 1930s and left us with a invaluable record of the KSA that was without the oil.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertram_Thomas


This vintage book is Bertram Thomas’s 1932 travelogue, “Arabia Felix”. It is a factual account of his epic voyage across the vast southern desert of the Arabian Peninsula from 1930-3. A fascinating page-turner that chronicles a stunning achievement likely never to be attempted again, “Arabia Felix” would make for a worthy addition to any collection, and constitutes a must-read for lovers of exciting non-fiction. Contents include: “A Propitious Start and an Early Check”, “At Dhufar: Anarchy, Treachery, and Hospitality”, “Skull-Measuring and Devil-Dancing”, “In the Qara Mountains: ‘Ain ar Rizat”, “In the Qara Mountains, Ancient Survivals and the Blood Sacrifice”, “The Qara Mountains. Hyenas, Faith Cures and Circumcision”, etc. Bertram Sidney Thomas (1892–1950) was an English Arabist and the first person from the West to cross the Rub' al Khali. We are republishing this classic volume in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.


Fantastic selection of images here by Bertam Thomas's 1932 travelogue > https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=A...kaXRAhUMCMAKHYLODukQ_AUICCgB&biw=1056&bih=488

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Could have all belonged to Ottoman empire , 1918-1943 just few decades between change of territory and discovery of oil

• 25 Years difference between discovery of Black Gold

Picture of the first Jackpot

"Dammam No. 7, the first commercial oil well in Saudi Arabia, struck oil on March 4, 1938."

The oil wealth perhaps would have resulted in a distribution of wealth across the territories
(In an alternate Universe)

However the countries we know see part of GCC / Turkey / Egypt etc all developed well in modern times in their own wonderful way

 

[HAIDER]

Mention oil and KSA comes to mind. Mention Saudia Arabia and petrodollars come to mind. So ever wondered what was KSA like before oil gushed to make the kingdom rich? Maybe @Saif al-Arab can kick of with some pictures and insight into life in KSA before black gold?

Old Jeddah

Arab Bertram Thomas Arabia Felix - Across The "Empty Quarter" of Arabia New York 1932 |

Old House Doors, Al Lith, Saudi Arabia.

Prince Khalid Street, Al Khobar - Dorothy Miller 1952

For me what is shocking is how oil can change fate of a nation within a generation or two. From zero to hero is amazing.

The best account of pre oil KSA is by Bertram Thomas who travelled all over KSA in 1930s and left us with a invaluable record of the KSA that was without the oil.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertram_Thomas


This vintage book is Bertram Thomas’s 1932 travelogue, “Arabia Felix”. It is a factual account of his epic voyage across the vast southern desert of the Arabian Peninsula from 1930-3. A fascinating page-turner that chronicles a stunning achievement likely never to be attempted again, “Arabia Felix” would make for a worthy addition to any collection, and constitutes a must-read for lovers of exciting non-fiction. Contents include: “A Propitious Start and an Early Check”, “At Dhufar: Anarchy, Treachery, and Hospitality”, “Skull-Measuring and Devil-Dancing”, “In the Qara Mountains: ‘Ain ar Rizat”, “In the Qara Mountains, Ancient Survivals and the Blood Sacrifice”, “The Qara Mountains. Hyenas, Faith Cures and Circumcision”, etc. Bertram Sidney Thomas (1892–1950) was an English Arabist and the first person from the West to cross the Rub' al Khali. We are republishing this classic volume in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.


Fantastic selection of images here by Bertam Thomas's 1932 travelogue > https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=A...kaXRAhUMCMAKHYLODukQ_AUICCgB&biw=1056&bih=488

I am going to watch "Lawrence of Arabia" on my new surround system .

could have all belonged to Ottoman empire

If they never ally to German.

 

[Mrc]

Could have all belonged to Ottoman empire , 1918-1943 just few decades between change of territory and discovery of oil

• 25 Years difference between discovery of Black Gold

"Dammam No. 7, the first commercial oil well in Saudi Arabia, struck oil on March 4, 1938."

The oil wealth perhaps would have resulted in a distribution of wealth across the territories
(In an alternate Universe)

Just imagine if that oil was discovered by ottomans and money used to rebuild the caliphate army...it was GODs will

 

[HAIDER]

Just imagine if that oil was discovered by ottomans and money used to rebuild the caliphate army...it was GODs will

reservation ..extreme intoxication of power among muslim rulers...whenever they become powerful enough to oppress the neighbors and far away neighbors.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

In USA they discovered Oil in Late 1859 (Most people on Subcontinent were involved in mutny around that time)

Drake well, Titusville, Pennsylvania. On August 28, 1859, George Bissell and Edwin L. Drake made the first successful use of a drilling rig on a well drilled especially to produce oil, at a site on Oil Creek near Titusville, Pennsylvania.

• Oil was discovered in Muslim land full 84 Years later i.e 1943

> Without doubt the most influential discovery of last 100 years, oil certainly changed the outlook for GCC countries

 

[HAIDER]

Mention oil and KSA comes to mind. Mention Saudia Arabia and petrodollars come to mind. So ever wondered what was KSA like before oil gushed to make the kingdom rich? Maybe @Saif al-Arab can kick of with some pictures and insight into life in KSA before black gold?

Old Jeddah

Arab Bertram Thomas Arabia Felix - Across The "Empty Quarter" of Arabia New York 1932 |

Old House Doors, Al Lith, Saudi Arabia.

Prince Khalid Street, Al Khobar - Dorothy Miller 1952

For me what is shocking is how oil can change fate of a nation within a generation or two. From zero to hero is amazing.

The best account of pre oil KSA is by Bertram Thomas who travelled all over KSA in 1930s and left us with a invaluable record of the KSA that was without the oil.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertram_Thomas


This vintage book is Bertram Thomas’s 1932 travelogue, “Arabia Felix”. It is a factual account of his epic voyage across the vast southern desert of the Arabian Peninsula from 1930-3. A fascinating page-turner that chronicles a stunning achievement likely never to be attempted again, “Arabia Felix” would make for a worthy addition to any collection, and constitutes a must-read for lovers of exciting non-fiction. Contents include: “A Propitious Start and an Early Check”, “At Dhufar: Anarchy, Treachery, and Hospitality”, “Skull-Measuring and Devil-Dancing”, “In the Qara Mountains: ‘Ain ar Rizat”, “In the Qara Mountains, Ancient Survivals and the Blood Sacrifice”, “The Qara Mountains. Hyenas, Faith Cures and Circumcision”, etc. Bertram Sidney Thomas (1892–1950) was an English Arabist and the first person from the West to cross the Rub' al Khali. We are republishing this classic volume in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.


Fantastic selection of images here by Bertam Thomas's 1932 travelogue > https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=A...kaXRAhUMCMAKHYLODukQ_AUICCgB&biw=1056&bih=488

@Kaptaan give you interesting add on . Before oil exploration , Royal family of Hyderabad, India use to stipend 500 rupee a month to present KSA Royal family.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

Imagine the children of these people call Pakistani's "Miskeen" today and look down on them. Oil can change everything. Shows what money can do.

English writer - Bertram Thomas Arabia Felix - Across The "Empty Quarter" of Arabia 1932

These Saudi Arabs could give the Bengali's run for their money.

Bertram Thomas in middle with some Saudi's 1930s

Link > https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Arab+Bertram+Thomas+Arabia+Felix&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjkn5emkaXRAhUMCMAKHYLODukQ_AUICCgB&biw=1056&bih=488#imgrc=_ii-ZlnBVhxOkM:

 

[HAIDER]

In USA they discovered Oil in Late 1859

Drake well, Titusville, Pennsylvania. On August 28, 1859, George Bissell and Edwin L. Drake made the first successful use of a drilling rig on a well drilled especially to produce oil, at a site on Oil Creek near Titusville, Pennsylvania.

• Oil was discovered in Muslim land full 84 Years later i.e 1943

• Without doubt the most influential discovery of last 100 years, oil certainly changed the outlook for GCC countries

Saudi oil was cheap to drill, thanks to British petro co and the king was so oblige to British and Amerian, he provide free oil to American during second world war and British too.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Interesting thread by the thread starter and some quite interesting pictures thanks to good old camera

Thankfully majority of Saudia now has Education and the cities and villages are educated still have some way to go with certain aspects of society but what a change in 100 years

What is the relation between Saudis and Yamanis the attire these folks have look very similar to Yameni

 

[HAIDER]

Imagine the children of these people call Pakistani's "Miskeen" today and look down on them. Oil can change everything. Shows what money can do.

Arab Bertram Thomas Arabia Felix - Across The "Empty Quarter" of Arabia

These Saudi Arabs could give the Bengali's run for their money.

Bertram Thomas in middle with some Saudi's 1930s

Link > https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Arab+Bertram+Thomas+Arabia+Felix&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjkn5emkaXRAhUMCMAKHYLODukQ_AUICCgB&biw=1056&bih=488#imgrc=_ii-ZlnBVhxOkM:

Wonder why Hijazi used to distinguish between educated and Badu. Lost the rich history of Hijaz after the surge British corruption in the region.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

@AZADPAKISTAN2009 I resent the thought that my poor brothers who work in KSA are pushed around by these people all because of accident of nature. I might just be able to rationalize this if KSA success was mediated on their intellectual or entreprenurial abilities but we know they have zilch. It was simple case of nature's lottery. Yesterdays beggars become today's billionaires. However I want Pakistani's to see this and never let all that dazzle ever cow them. Never.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Interesting thought but not every one is like that is all I can say I think we have to accept Modern Saudia as is now and move forward they have proven to be friend in many situations

I think Saudia and many GCC countries have generally treated Pakistanis well, yes there were issues with pay scale I wish that could be corrected but we just have to move on on that it is part of past history

But Saudia is still a fantastic country for Pakistanis (Second home to many)

And Turkey as we know it has become a Leader in their own right so it all worked out well

The Education modernization and arrival certainly altered the course of Saudia and many CGG countries and this in turn will help develop more enhanced social communication abilities in future generations

After 1970's the greater emphasis on education in their society certainly has developed higher sense of understanding and intellect which will continue to evolve over next few decades.

But before we advice anyone else , we need to first eradicate poverty and lack of education in Pakistan's own rural areas

 

[Indus Pakistan]

What is the relation between Saudis and Yamanis the attire these folks have look very similar to Yameni

They are 100% same and in fact similar to Eritreans (many are Muslims across the water in Africa). The only differance is KSA got oil. Rest don't.

And the Ottoman's including other imperial powers never bothered taking over most of Arabia simply because there was just sand and half naked beggers. If you notice UAE is marked as pirate coast. Does that remind you of Somali's today?

The Turks only bothered to exercise jurisdiction over Hejaz because of the hol;y sites. Rest was wasteland only if they had known what was under the sand. All that came later after Arabs joined with the British to go against the Ottoman Caliphate. We all know what happened to that. You think Turks would have let the Jews from Europe land in Palestine and take it over?

I don't think so !

Ps. So, no I don't think it turned out oright. Palestinians certainly would not agree with you.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

See you have to give credit to their leadership , when they discovered oil they used its wealth well

• Look at Nigera have tones of oil but marred in violence and war
• Venezuala , again rich with oil yet have bad ties will all major world nations
• Most of Africa blessed with so much resources yet embroiled in war

You know they (Saudia) have free Education for all kids till University and even University is sponsored (free) including study in USA

Similarly free hospital care and services , even to many International visitors who work legally there

Good ties with global countries

Host the Haj and Pilgrimage successfully every year keep improving the process


Similarly if we look at Modern Turkey they evolved into a more solid , more agile and more Advance country

• Focus on education
  
• Technology leaders at least in Muslim world
  
• Nice cities (compared to our part of world)
  
• Good leadership , good voice in world

It's always good to look at people and apprecite where they are "NOW" vs where they were 100 years ago and judge them on that.

If Iran-Saudia can sort out their differences , there would be alot of free flowing trade in the region would be generally good for global economy and regional economies