Economic Life in Taif during the Hashemite Era (1916-1924)

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the economic structure of Taif during the Hashemite era by examining its principal productive sectors, including agriculture, pastoralism, traditional crafts, and trade. The study highlights the significant influence of Taif’s natural environment—its fertile soil, abundant water sources, and moderate climate—on the formation of its economic identity, which positioned the city as a major agricultural hub supplying essential food products to the Hejaz region.

The study further explores the role of pastoral activities and traditional industries in supporting the local economy through the provision of livestock products and handcrafted goods. In addition, it analyzes the commercial networks that connected Taif with neighboring cities through established caravan routes, contributing to the stimulation of regional trade.

The findings indicate that the Hashemite administration adopted economic policies aimed at enhancing local production, developing agricultural infrastructure, regulating markets, and promoting self-sufficiency. The study concludes that Taif succeeded in building a balanced and resilient economic system that combined traditional practices with early modernization efforts, representing an important example of economic transformation in the early twentieth-century Hejaz.