Al-Dirʿīyah
Quick Summary
Al-Dir'iyyah was the original capital of the first Saudi state and the center of the Wahhabi Islamic movement in the 18th century. It is located in the Najd region of central Saudi Arabia. In 1818, Al-Dir'iyyah was destroyed by the forces of the Egyptian ruler Muhammad 'Ali Pasha, marking a major defeat for the Wahhabis and the virtual annihilation of the Saud dynasty. Despite this, the Saud dynasty eventually regained control, with Riyadh becoming the new capital from 1824. Al-Dir'iyyah is situated in the Najd region, which is a rocky plateau.12
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