[1] The Arabic toponym, Mudawwara, translates approximately to "a large round thing" but does not refer to the many green, circular irrigated agriculture plots that can be found in the area, rather to a group of conical hills 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) to the northwest of the modern town.

Mudawwara lies on the traditional trade route that links with the wider Mediterranean world, the Levant and greater Syria with the Arabian Peninsula all the way down to Yemen.

The followers of Islam who were required to make the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy cities of Medina and Mecca travelled through this area along ancient routes.

[citation needed] Mudawwara was thrust into modernity and the twentieth century with the arrival of the telegraph in 1900 connecting this remote outpost with the centre of Ottoman control in Constantinople.

[5][6] The modern village of Mudawwara has grown alongside the N5 Highway that heads southwards toward the border post with Saudi Arabia.

[citation needed] A large stone fort, Qalat Mudawwara, was constructed in the 18th century by the Ottoman administration to afford protection to the hajj pilgrims.

..."[citation needed] This was used as a first aid post by Major Buxton during the attack on Mudawwara in August 1918 and was reused by Glubb Pasha during the mid-20th century.