Abdallah bin Jiluwi


Abdallah bin Jiluwi bin Turki al Saud was one of the early Saudi governors.

Biography

Abdullah bin Jiluwi was the grandson of the founder of the Second Saudi State, Turki bin Abdallah. He was a paternal first cousin once removed and a close companion of the young Amir Ibn Saud, founder of the modern Saudi Arabia. He accompanied Ibn Saud in exile to Kuwait after the family's retreat from the capital at Riyadh. Abdullah bin Jiluwi was a principal supporter in the raid on the Masmak Castle on 15 January 1902 which resulted in the recovery of Riyadh. He killed Ajlan, the Rashidi governor, and saved the life of Ibn Saud in the battle for the fortress. In addition, he was Ibn Saud's deputy commander and assisted him in capturing the Eastern Province.
As the Saudi state was founded and consolidated, Abdullah bin Jiluwi was firstly appointed governor of the Qassim province. Then he was transferred to the Eastern province or the Hasa province, name of the region at that period. Because Abdullah bin Jiluwi could not claim to the succession and Ibn Saud's sons were not old enough to assume this responsibility. However, Abdullah was the second powerful member of the Al Sauds during this time after the King himself.
The province was ruled sternly and became almost a semi-independent family fiefdom. Abdullah's son Saud succeeded as governor upon his death in 1938. Saud bin Abdullah served as the governor from 1938 to 1967. Next, his another son Abdul Muhsin bin Abdullah Al Jiluwi served as the governor of the province from 1967 to 1985 until Prince Muhammed bin Fahd replaced him in the post.
One of his spouses, Wasmiyah Al Damir, married King Abdulaziz after Abdullah bin Jiluwi died in 1938. They had no child from this marriage.