Haj pilgrimage is going on in the country. A large number of Muslim pilgrims are traveling to Mecca-Medina from different parts of the country. The holy Hajj starts in Mecca, Saudi Arabia from 25 May 2026. The temperature there these days is around 45 degrees Celsius. In such a situation, it can be said that the journey was difficult earlier also, it is not easy even today. It was not easy to reach here during the Mughal era. During the Mughal period, the biggest route for Haj from India was the sea route. People of North India, Deccan and Gujarat used to reach any major port earlier. Among these, Surat was the most important. Surat was considered a major center for Haj pilgrims during the Mughal period. From here ships used to go towards Arabia.
In such a situation, a question arises that today when airplanes are available and big ships are available, it is natural that such facilities were not there in the Mughal period. How was Hajj pilgrimage done in those times? How difficult was the journey of Hajj? How many days did it take to complete the Hajj pilgrimage?
During the Mughal era, the journey of Hajj was long, expensive and risky.
Hajj is a very important religious duty of Islam. Any Muslim who is physically and financially capable wants to go to Mecca and perform Hajj at least once in his life. The Mughal emperor also understood this sentiment. All the kings did not go on Hajj themselves, but they helped the Hajj pilgrims. Many royal women, nobles, Sufis, businessmen and common people used to leave India for Haj.
There were neither airplanes nor hi-tech facilities during the Mughal era. Therefore, the journey of Hajj was long, expensive and risky. Still people used to go. For him it was not just a journey. It was also a test of faith, patience and sacrifice.
Surat was considered a major center for Haj pilgrims during the Mughal period. Photo: Pexels
What was the main route of Hajj from Mughal India?
During the Mughal period, the biggest route for Haj from India was the sea route. People of North India, Deccan and Gujarat used to reach any major port earlier. Among these, Surat was the most important. Surat was considered a major center for Haj pilgrims during the Mughal period. From here ships used to go towards Arabia. Earlier people used to leave their cities with convoys. Reached Surat in several days or weeks. There one had to wait for the ship, weather and permission. Then the pilgrims would cross the Arabian Sea and reach ports like Jeddah or sometimes Mokha. The mode of travel from Jeddah to Mecca was by camel, horse or foot. That means Hajj was not just a sea journey. This involved arduous travel both by land and sea.
Why was Surat so important?
Surat was a major trading port of the Mughal Empire. Ships used to run from here to the Red Sea and Arabia. It became the main gate for Hajj pilgrims, traders and Sufi pilgrims. In 17th century European travelers and trade documents, Surat has also been mentioned as the main hub of ships bound for Mecca. The Mughal state also understood that its Islamic prestige was linked to the safety and convenience of Haj pilgrims. Therefore, royal families and upper classes often provided money, gifts and protection to Hajj ships.
If a traveler left from Delhi, Agra, Lahore or any big city of North India, he had to reach Surat first. Photo: Pexels
How much time did it take to perform Mughal Hajj?
It is difficult to answer this question in one line. Time depended on many things. For example, from which city did the traveler leave? What season did it come out? How long did he have to wait in Surat? Was the sea calm or stormy? Did the ship go directly to Jeddah or stop somewhere in between? Has there been any illness, robbery or political obstruction? The total time depended on all these circumstances. Therefore, it was very difficult at that time to say that the Haj pilgrimage could take ten-twenty-thirty days or even more. Meaning it was not in my hands to fix the time.
How much time did it take to reach Surat port?
If a traveler left from Delhi, Agra, Lahore or any big city of North India, he had to reach Surat first. This journey sometimes took one to two months. The journey was covered by bullock cart, horse, camel or on foot. The convoy moved slowly. Inns, rivers, tax posts, bandits and weather were major problems on the way. If the traveler lived near Gujarat or Deccan, the time taken was less. But for those coming from North India, this journey in itself was a big test.
Mughal emperor Shahjahan.
How many days did the sea voyage last?
The sea voyage from Surat to Jeddah or ports along the Red Sea usually took three to six weeks. In good weather it could have been less. Even more in bad weather. Many times the ships used to reach Mokha first. Further arrangements were made from there. The old ships depended on the wind, so the monsoon was very important. The ship could get stuck in bad weather. A storm could come. Could have lost the way. For this reason, passengers often waited for weeks at the port for the weather to improve.
In total, how many months did the entire journey take?
If we look at the entire journey, it could often take six months to a year to leave India and return after completing Haj. Some journeys were even longer than this. The reason is clear. The pilgrim has to go from home to the port, wait for the ship, cross the sea, travel from Jeddah to Mecca, wait for the day of Hajj and then wait for the return ship. All these steps took time. People used to make arrangements for their homes, businesses and properties before leaving. Because they did not know when they would return?
Why was the journey so difficult?
Haj pilgrimage was difficult. It was very difficult. There were not just one but many reasons behind this.
1- Fear of sea storm and ship sinking
The journey across the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea was not safe. The ships were made of wood. Technology was limited. Strong winds, storms and waves in the sea could become fatal. Many passengers suffered from seasickness. The water used to get spoiled. Food was limited.
2- Danger of pirates and sea forces
The Portuguese had a major influence on the Indian Ocean in the 16th and 17th centuries. They controlled sea routes in many places. They asked for a permit, called a Carthage, from many ships. It was possible to stop, plunder or capture a ship without permission. Later other European powers also came into maritime politics. This made the Haj pilgrimage more stressful. A famous incident happened during the time of Jahangir. Rahimi, a big ship belonging to the royal family, was captured by the Portuguese. The Mughal court was very angry with this. This incident shows that Hajj and maritime trade were not separate from political struggle.
3- Risk of disease and death
It was difficult to get clean water during long journeys. There was more crowd. There was limited space on ships. There was fear of heat and infection. Many people fell ill on the way. Some people were not able to return. At that time, the facilities for doctors, medicines and sanitation were very limited.
Haj pilgrimage was not easy even for the Mughals. Photo: Pexels
4- Financial burden
Hajj was not a cheap journey. The traveler had to bear the expenses from home to the port. Then the plane fare, food expenses, travel from Jeddah to Mecca, accommodation expenses and return arrangements. Therefore it was very difficult for the poor man. Many people used to save money throughout their life.
5- Administrative and political obstacles
Taxes may have to be paid at foreign ports. The conditions of the local rulers had to be accepted. Sometimes the roads were closed. Sometimes war had an impact. Sometimes permission for ships was delayed, meaning even religious travel was affected by politics.
Hajj pilgrimage of the royal family and women
The most famous example in Mughal history is that of Gulbadan Begum. She was the daughter of Babar and sister of Humayun. During the time of Akbar, he performed Hajj pilgrimage. Many royal women also accompanied him. This shows that there was deep reverence for Haj in the Mughal court. But it is also clear that the journey was not easy even for the royal women. They needed security, money and a large convoy. Akbar made donations and arrangements to assist Hajj pilgrims. However, later the politics of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean complicated these journeys.
Did all the Mughal emperors themselves go on Hajj?
The answer is no. No major Mughal emperor himself went to Mecca. A major reason for this was the responsibility of the government. The second reason was the long and dangerous journey. But he gave importance to Hajj. He helped Hajj pilgrims, Sufis and royal women many times. Some kings also sent gifts, money and donations to Mecca and Medina.
Also read: Were the girls sent to the Mughal harem ever able to come out?
