In the fairly long history of hajj, the nomadic tribes of desert – known as Bedouin – had been a somewhat persistent issue for the hajj caravans.[37] They often used to attack the caravans – hajj or merchandise – that passed their territories, thus posing a security threat. They had to be paid handsome amount of payment in exchange for the security of the hajj caravans.[38] The head of the regime would hand over the payment to the Amir al-Hajj – the commander in charge of the hajj caravans – who would then make the payments to the Bedouin tribes according to the demands of the situation.[38] Even then, there were occasional casualties. In 1757 CE, a Bedouin tribe, Bani Sakhr, attacked the hajj caravans that resulted in the death of many pilgrims, immediately and afterwards, and other casualties.[39]