REPORT
ON THE TRIBES, &c„
AROUND THE SHORES
OP THE
PERSIAN GULF.
Lietjt.-Colonel Pelly.
CALCUTTA:
PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT PRESS.
1874.
No. 74, dated 16th July 1863. s
From—Chief Secretary to Government of Bombay,
To—Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
I am directed by the^ Hon'ble the Governor in Council to forward,
for submission to the Right Hon'ble the Governor-General of India,
copy of a Report, with accompaniments, dated the 13th April last,
No. 67, by Lieutenant-Colonel L. Pelly, Acting Political Resident at
Bushire, on the tribes, trade, and resources around the shore line of the
Persian Gulf, and copy of the Resolution recorded thereon by this
Government.
No. 67, dated Bushire, 13th April 1863.
From—Acting Political Resident and Consul-General in Persian Gulf,
To—Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay.
I submit some superficial remarks, based on personal observation and
hearsay, concerning the tribes, trade, and resources around the shore line
of the Persian Gulf.
2. As you enter the Gulf the town of Bunder Abbass, with its
adjacent historic Island of Ormuz, lies on your right and Cape Mussen-
dom on your left.
3. As you leave the Gulf, after traversing its entire length north¬
westward, and pass up the Shaat-el-Arab, or Busreh River, the town of
Busreh is on your left and the fort of Mahomerah on your right.
4. All the territory from Mahomerah to Bunder Abbass is directly
or indirectly under the Persian Government, and all the territory from
Cape Mussendom to Busreh is either directly or indirectly under Turkey,
or else is held by independent Arab Chiefs.
5. A map is annexed, showing the several jurisdictions and their
principal ports all round the Gulf, beginning at Mahomerah and ending
at Busreh.
6.These jurisdictions may
follows:—
The Chaab Arabs from the Ivaroon to the
Hindeean, including Mahomerah, Dorack,
Bunder Mashoor, Hindeean, and Zeitoon.
Minor Arab settlements to the south¬
ward of the Hindeean, but which are in
this Report included under Class II. for
specified reasons.
Bushire, Congoon, Asseeloo, Nabend,
Nakheeloo, Cheroo, Khelat, Charrack,
Mogoo, and Lingah.
There are many other small hamlets
along this line, but they are unworthy of
particularization.
be classified and their ports named as
1st.—Territory owning the sove¬
reignty of the Shah of Persia, but
administered by its Native Arab
Chiefs, subject, however, to visita¬
tion from the Finance Department
of the Persian Prince Governor of
Shuster.
%nd.—Territory directly under the
local officers of the Shah, and of
which the customs and revenues are
either contracted for by Her Majes¬
ty's Governors, or accounted for in
detail to‘the Persian Treasury.
( 2 )
1st. Bun dor Ahbass, with its adjacent
district, northwards to a point near Lingah,
and southwards to a tract whose political
jurisdiction is not determined under Treaty
entered into and recognized hy every body
concerned; 2nd, Island of Kislim and De¬
pendencies.
‘3 rrf.—Territory farmed 1* y Hie
Shall to the Sultan of Muscat for a
term of years under a Treaty entered
into between the late Imaum of
Muscat and His Majesty in 1S5(>.
The Musscndom Promontory, inclusive
of Klioomzar and Kliussub. The frontier
between Muscat and Ras-el-Khyma Terri¬
tory is near where the plain and mountains
meet at Shaam.
Alh.—Territory directly under the
Sultan of Muscat.
5Hi.—Territories held by those independent maritime Arab Chiefs
formerly the pirates of the Gulf,
now partially commercial, and hound
by the terms of a permanent truce
to keep the peace at sea; the English
Resident in the Gulf being mediator
and quasi-guarantee for the observa¬
tion of this truce by all the subscribing Chiefs, more especially during
the season of diving on the Pearl Banks.
Shaam and Kuloela.
Ramsc, Ras-el-Khyma.
Jazirath-ui-Hamra.
Amulgavine.
| Ejmaun.
Heira.
Shargah and Fasht.
Khan.
Debaye and Abootliabee.
6th.—Territories recognizing the suzerainty of the Turkish Govern-
Kuteef or Nejd Territory, Koweit, or ment, hut practically independent
Grane. under their own Chiefs.
Busreh, Zobeir, Faon, with intermediate
small ports along right bank of the Busreh
River.
1th.—Territory directly under the
Pashas of the Turkish Government.
7. The largest territory falling under the first class is that of the
The Chaab Arabs. ^haab Arabs; it may be generally
described as a vast, well-watered, and
fertile plain, contained between the lines of the River Karoon to the
north and the Hindeean River to the south; and sloping imperceptibly
from the lower spurs of the Khogiloo Mountains, and that upper portion
* ^ „ , . i tt of Khuzistan which lies along the
Ram Hormuz* and fehuster route,
•south-westward to the Iluffar cutting and the Bamosheer River, to the
westward of which channels the Chaab territory further extends (under
a separate branch tribe at Mahomerah) to the left bank of the Shaat-el-
Arab.
8. The Chaab plainf is intersected in its entire length from the
f A sketch of the Chaab plain and of eastward (northerly) to the head of
the Persian Gulf hy one fine stream,
which, receiving affluents from the
mountains at various points lying
between Ram Plormuz and Behbe-
han, flows through the Chaab terri¬
tory under the name of Gerahee;
throwing off numerous natural, improved, or wholly, artificial water
channels, more especially from its right or northern hank. The Gerahee
is navigable for boats of four or five tons throughout its length, until
within some 1% miles of Ram Hormuz. When it reaches nearly the
tbe coast line in general round the head
of the Gulf has now been very carefully
prepared by Dr. Colvill from our recent
marches round that line. I suggest a
reference to that sketch, which accom¬
panies my Report, No. 65, of this day,
sent by this opportunity.
( 3 )
latitude of Dorack (or Felaheahj, the chief town of this territory, it
supplies a broad canal, which, after flowing about six miles, passes
through Dorack, throwing off several agricultural water-courses from
both sides, or wasting itself in floods, until it is reduced to a small canoe
channel, which opens on the Huffar or lower Karoon, and so communi¬
cates with Mahomerah and the main river. Two ancient canals coming
from the Karoon cross the Dorack Canal at right angles and flow south
towards the sea; they are named respectively Mourad and Sulimanieh.
9. After passing the point (called Khuzena or the sluices) whence
the Dorack water is supplied, the Gerahee curves south, passing Soobeeah
within one fursac of Dorack; there throws off several more broad
offshoots, and then flows onward to the sea, having its port at Boozeeak.
Soobeeah is the point to which small sea-going craft come up for the-
supply of Dorack, and goods are carried to and fro Soobeeah and Dorack
by land.
10. Tracking from the Huffar up the canoe channel towards
Dorack you can easily see the sails of boats passing up the Karoon, but
on reaching Dorack the Karoon is distant some nine fursacs. The
Gerahee, at the sluices and for the few miles I passed further up it, has
a midchannel of eight feet in depth, gently curving, and well-defined
banks, irregularly fringed with date trees, and showing on either hand a
well-farmed breadth of land, with cattle and horses; the lower lands on
the right bank over towards the Karoon line are in rice.
11. Bunder Mashoor is a seaport of the Chaabs, and distant from
Dorack from 30 to 40 miles in an E. S E. direction; and an irregularly
curved line, passing a little within Mashoor, through a point a little
lower down the canoe canal than Dorack, and so rounding to the left
bank of the Karoon, would, during the winter or inundatory season,
trace the blending of the grassy plain with swamp or flooded land; in¬
deed, as you pass up the Dorack canoe channel, your horizon is bounded
by flooded land, whether you look towards the Karoon or towards
Mashoor and the Gulf line; it seems that the towns, in fact, have been
built on the margin of the flood; and it is needless to add that, as the
water subsides, these towns and the pasture lands so opened up to the
wandering tribes are poisoned by malaria.
12. Still riding' in a general E. S. E. direction from Bunder
Mashoor to Hindeean (being the sea town on the river of that name), you
are on the same vast green plain, here rough with low brush wood, there
dotted with the tents and flocks of the Arabs. This year, the rain being
unusually scant, the grass was short, fit, indeed, for sheej), but not for
cattle; I was informed, however, that in ordinary seasons the grass is
above a horse's knees. Barley was to be bought, but the straw of last
year being exhausted and that of this season not yet cut, I was hard
pushed to find it anywhere in the Chaab country, and held myself fortu¬
nate to collect some of inferior quality at Dorack, and carry it not only
to the Hindeean, but to Bunder Dillum.
13. Hindeean is one of two entrepots (the other Kdng Dillum) for
the Behbehan line of trade. At the town of ~ aeean the river is
unfordable; I found no ferry boat, and was lucky m getting my bag¬
gage across in a chance bugla lying in the river. The Hindeean is
( 4 )
navigable for light boats and canoes to within a short distance of Behl**-
han. Zeitoon, formerly Zeidoon, is a central point higher up the stream,
and distant 10 fursacs from Ilindeean, where trade from Ilindeean and
Dillum converges. Goods go up by land, passing to Dey Moollah, then
Arab, and then Zeitoon. These three marches are level, but the fourth
and last march of five or six fursacs, from Zeitoon to Behbehan, is stony
and through the lower spurs of the mountain range.
14. The view looking inland from Behbehan is fine; the stream,
a hundered yards wide, deep between high steep soil banks; a noble
plain on either side; an old cedar tree or two and an old tomb break the
middle ground, backed by reddish, sulphurous-looking, castellated, low
ridge of hills, behind which a higher deep indigo range; and far in the
distance, overlooking all, the snowy peaks of the Khogiloo tribes.
15. Crossing the Hindeean and moving south-east the grass plain
becomes barren and covered with a saline efflorescence; then pierced by
salt water creeks, round the heads of which are strewn the ruins of
Guebre, or, as the natives call them, Hindoo buildings. The plain then
contracts, rugged spurs of the hills coming finally down to within three
or four miles of the sea, until you reach the narrowest neck at the frontier
village of Sheikh Abool Sheikh of the Chaabs, or Shah Abool Shah of
the Persians.* This village was the site of a Guebre temple, or other
holy place. It is now like so many of its fellows an Imaum Zadeh.
The village possesses all the essentials of vileness, filth, and ruffianly
rascality, viz., the congregation of a set of ill-conditioned semi-barbarians
on an ill-favored spot for the guardianship of a shrine, and exempted, on
condition of such office, from all taxation, supervision, aud law.
16. I subjoin a statement of the principal Chaab tribes, but the
numbers of their fighting men are, I think, overstated.
Alboogbesh,
Asarkeerah „
Mukasebah „
Albooalee „
Sowayhat „
Almukhudum „
A1 Khanaferali „
Bhawee „
Zoorgan „
Sherayfat „
Chief, Moraid ...
„ Zair Rraidee
„ Saadoon ...
„ Saadoon ...
„ Skowash ...
Shureeb ...
6,000 grown men; Boozeeah, their principal town.
4,000
2,500
2,500
2.500
4.500
HajeeHamdan 5,000
Akheel ... 8,000
Jnbbnr ... 8,000
MeerMuhanna 10,000
Oushar, near boozeeah.
Anayetee, more S. & E.
On a creek; no name.
Ditto ditto.
Khoot, near Dorack.
On road to Dorack from
Makomerah.
On the Gerahee creek or mouth.
On pastoral grounds.
Hindeean and Dey Moollah and
on the plains.
Wandering and pastoral.
Ditto ditto.
Amoor „ Shooheetee 10,000 ,
Beni Khaled „ Shadee ... 5,000 „
These trikes are scattered throughout the pasturage during winter and spring, and
concentrate at or near Felaheah towards summer tor provisions and trade.
* It is remarkable that those shrines which date from a period anterior to that of the
prophet, and which had previously been consecrated as fire temples, Lingam rubbers, or
poojah places, &c., have since been confirmed as shrines or places of pilgrimage by both
Soonees and Skeeahs; whereas those shrines which are now resorted to by only one of the
two principal sects of Islamism date from a time subsequent to that of the Prophet's birth.
Again where a shrine had been resorted to by infidels, and subsequently seized by the
Moslems, the country in which it was situate remaining the frontier between the two
religions, such shrine continued to he resorted to by the old infidels and by the Mahomedan
invaders and their converts.
( 5 )
17. It is interesting and necessary, wbeii considering the Arabs,
to distinguish between a series of grades towards civilization, in which
they may at present be found; there is the Bedouin, wandering, past¬
oral, tent-loving, disdaining to trade, yet avaricious, and willing to sell
his ghee, his mutton, or his horse; but the Bedouin is always found in
wide and open wastes, unpressed upon by adequate exterior power; yet
even the Bedouin bends to circumstances; he accepts the region allotted
for his pasture grounds. Plunder has its laws, and vengeance its
chivalry. If he will not trade, he has still wants, and suffers the presence
of a Jew or Saleebah,* as the Afghan suffers that of the Hindoo.
18. A little higher in the scale you find, as with the Chaabs, the
original wandering pastoral Arab in a district where he is pressed upon
from without, and where boundless plunder and roaming are restrained
by exterior force. The Arab then partly turns to agriculture, and for
this he must in some degree settle: society harmonizes to this level;
trade is possible; corn is sold; abbas are woven and exported; dates are
planted; the appetite for trade grows by what it feeds on; huts of reeds
replace tents; and one sees in their feeble effort s at reed ornamentation
and in their rough twisting of thick reed rope for their bunds the possible
germ of some of the architectural efforts of our own savage ancestors.
Man at first accepts from nature what she spontaneously affords, and
feebly, through thousands of years, thinks towards artificial means.
19. Yet higher in the scale you find the Arab flourishing as an
experienced and wealthy merchant in a town, or administering a well-
ordered and comfortable rural district.
20. What recurs to one in passing among these people is, that
here before you is society in the making or in its transitional state
towards civilization: it is probable that the law under which human
society now evolves is that under which it has always evolved. The
circumstances around you may then be data for the elucidation of a true
theory; they are at least facts fresh from nature.
21. As to the political condition of the Doraek territory, it is
really tributary to Persia, paying, I believe, a considerable sum into the
Shuster Provincial Treasury : its element of greatest commercial strength
and military weakness lies in its bountiful supply of water. It would
be difficult to find a territory of equal extent where fresh water, contain¬
ing sufficient salt, is poured along the plain in all directions through
channels so numerous and so easily manageable; but it was by damming
the exits of this water towards the sea that the Persians flooded the
country and reduced the Chaabs.
* I saw some men of this tribe at Koweit and elsewhere. They worship the cross
(Saleb) and perform many ceremonies, more nearly allied to the corruptions of Asian
Christianity than to Islamism. Men and women dance round a sort of May Pole. They
wear a carter’s smock, coming down to the feet, and which, like a hoy’s pinafore, ties be¬
hind. They possess a beautiful breed of donkies, which they ride, without girths, upon a
saddle made like a cottage wooden chair bottom. They squat on this seat, and twist their
legs over a pummel peak, crossing them over the donkey’s neck. They seem to prize their
saddles as an Arab does his mare, and would not sell them. They seemed a merry, quick¬
witted, disreputable lot, with retrousse noses and Irish features. There they stood, eyes
twinkling (legs and hands always on the fidget), and pelted us with the peelings of their
fun.
( 0 )
22. The District of Mahomerali originally formed part of tlie
Doraek Chieftainship, but the present Sheikh of Mahomerali separated
his clan, fostered the naturally excellent position of his fort for commerce,
and has since remained at feud with his old Chief. "When 1 was at
Doraek both Sheikhs had been called before the Prince Governor for the
settlement of their mutual grievances.
23. As to the commerce of the Chaabs it is limited, and flows in
different channels according to the season of the year; some of it reaches
Mahomerah via the Iluffar, and is mixed up with the trade of that port
which, in turn, is sometimes included under the general trade of the
Shaat-cl-Arab or Busreh line, the wealth of Mahomerah as of the Shaat-
el-Arab in general consisting mainly in dates.
24. Doraek itself exports some wool and abbas (the Arab cloak);
of rice also about 600 Karehs (each Kareh 100 Ilashem maunds of
1241bs. each). It possesses fine reaches of date groves along its streams,
but these are wholly for home consumption.
25. The principal seaports of the Chaabs are Bunder Mashoor and
Ilindeean, and the total duty collected on the exports and imports at
each of these open towns may be about 40,000 Krans, or something less
than Rupees 20,000, eventually paid into Shuster.
26. The exports from Bunder Mashoor may be approximately
analyzed as follows :—
Wool to the value of one lakh of rupees shipped to Koweit or Bush ire for
ultimate transport to India.
Grain, mainly wheat and barley, to the value of Rupees 22,000.
Rice from the Gerahee and Ram Ilormnz fields to the value of Rupees
10,000.
Rogun to Rupees 5,000 in value for Koweit and Busreh.
Some 10,000 sheep per annum are shipped for Busreh and Koweit also.
Grain pays an export duty of 32 Krans per Kareh.
Wool 32 Krans on the 1,000 lbs. weight.
Rogun Ivran per Dubbeh.
And each sheep J Kran.
27. The imports at Bunder Mashoor are—
Piece-goods to the value of 50,000 Krans, paying a duty of two Krans on
an average of 10 yards piece per 20.
Dates 10,000 Karehs, paying five Krans per Kareh.
28. Ilindeean imports—
About 1,000 Karehs of dates from Busreh, each Kareh paying five Krans
duty.
And piece-goods to the value of 20,000 Krans.
29. The exports of Hindeean may be—
Grain, mainly wheat and barley, to the value of 2,00,000 Krans, coming
down from the Behbehan and Hormuz lines, and paying a duty of l
Kran per Hashem maund.
1,00,000 Krans worth of wool from the upper country.
10,000 Krans worth of Rogun and some 10,000 sheep, paying J Kran
export duty each.
( 7 )
80. As to a possible development of trade in Chaab, I am of
opinion that this will always be confined to the territory of Chaab itself
and to the provinces of Shuster and Behbehan. The passes leading into
the plateau of Persia from these points may possess strategic advantages,
but they are not lines that trade could work to a profit in competition
with Bushire, Abbass, and Bagdad. Bice, corn, ghee, and the products
generally of semi-pastorah and semi-agricultural tribes enjoying a rich
soil and fine water command are what might be expected from the
territory contained between the Karoon Kiver, the Bahktyari, and
Khogiloo Mountains, the Hindeean and the Bamosheer. Dates of course
might form an item and be grown, as might also be cotton, over a
large area.
81. I consider the Chaab* territory by no means an easy one to
traverse. My baggage animals were delayed nearly a fortnight at
Mashoor, unable to reach Dorack. The direct road to Dorack from the
Iluffar was quite impassable when I dragged in a canoe from Mahomerah
to Dorack. There is a circuitous road going round near the Karoon, which
leads from Dorack to the Iluffar, but even that is almost impassable in
the wet season. During the subsidence this territory would be fatal to
horses and men, whether from miasma or the marsh insects. Grass is
plentiful over boundless plain in the spring of favorable years, but in
dry years your horse may famish, for the old chopped straw of last year
is out; the grass is too short for a horse to crop, and young corn is
findable only in patches near the towns.
32. The water is brackish along the entire line unless when drawn
from the river: that of the Iiindeean and Huffar is delicious. The
water in the Dorack Canal, through the marsh portion of it, is rough
and distasteful; it is reputed also unwholesome, especially during the
summer months.
33. In former times a series of circles of Arab villages, lying along
the coast to the southward of Iiindeean, would have fallen under the
class of territories which, though inferior in size and power to that of
the Chaabs, were yet tributary to Persia, but administered by their
Native Chiefs or Sheikhs.
34. At present, however, all these settlements have fallen so much
under the jurisdiction of Shiraz or Bushire, and are so intermingled with
their affairs, that it seems preferable to notice these settlements under
the heading of territory directly under the local officers of the Shah.
# The Chaabs, like some other Arab tribes settled along the Persian Coast of the Gulf,
have become Sheeahs; they are partly Persianized also in costume and habits. An old
Soonnee observed to me with regret that these Chaabs should wear a Syed’s dark green
turban, and fold angle with tea urns and uniforms. The aseel Arab of the other river bank
would never intermarry with a Chaab, but a Chaab would not only marry thence if he
could, hut accepts also a Persian in his bed. It is very amusing, as you cross the head of
the Gulf, to hear the Arab apologizing for some ill bap by saying that the offender is a
Mogullee, a Sheeah ; while the Persian excuses all gaudierie by the nasal words, they are
Arabs, goats. A young Seikh who was hawking in the desert with mo explained a miss-flight
by saying that his bird was a Mogullee. Had he been bred a Soonnee, he would never miss.
I noticed, however, that the hawk dined hastily off his first Ooboura. This lad told me
also the best way to hawk as to raid was for two people to sit dos-a-dos on a camel, thus, as
it were, giving the birds assurance of a man looking before and after.
( 8 )
35. 1 pass accordingly to the second class, of which the nearest
port to the Cliaab territory is that of Dillum, situate a few miles below
Shah Abool Shah, above alluded to. Bunder Dillum is under the Gov¬
ernment of Bushire, and the constitution of this seaboard Provincial
Government is somewhat complex. Down to a period of recent date
Bushire was, like other ports along the coast, governed by its own
Sheikhs; eventually the Bushirees fell out with the neighbouring tribes
of the Dashties and Tungistoonees. Persia availed herself of the
dissension to press on Bushire, establish a Government there, and reduce
both Dashties and Tungistoonees, together with some minor tribes, such
as the Rohillas immediately around the Bushire creek, to a condition
subordinate to Bushire.
36. At the present moment the Government extends from Dillum
on the north to near Congoon on the south, embracing a series of petty
tribes, both Persian and Arabic, living in their own circles of villages,
and interfered with by the central Government very much in proportion
to their several means of resistance.
37. Southward from Congoon to Lingah, both inclusive, lies a
chain of coast villages or small ports, whose revenues and affairs are
subordinate to the Provincial Government of Fars at Shiraz, although
the Governor of Bushire, in his capacity of High Admiral of the sea
and ports (Persia does not possess a vessel of war), has charge of their
maritime interests.
38. Thus then, after leaving the Hindeean, we find a coast line
from Dillum to Lingah more or less subordinate to Bushire, and of
which the settlements and tribes, from Dillum to Congoon, may be
approximately estimated at f Persians and J Arabs, and those from
Congoon to Lingah J Persians and | Arabs.
39. As a general rule the Arab circles of villages are farmed and
administered by their own Sheikhs, who arrange their own civil disputes
and pay a lump sum of revenue per annum. Murder would be compen¬
sated by blood-money, but the Sheikh would not send the murderer to
Bushire for punishment. The Sheikh in turn would levy rent on the
farmers by the cow. A cow is supposed to plough land enough for four
maunds of seed barley and four maunds of seed wheat. A farmer asks
his neighbour, for instance, how many cows he is sowing. The crop borne
by a cow of land pays 15 or so Krans per annum in money, and one
maund of wheat and one of barley, apparently for Kurneh, or expenses in
collecting.
40. But in case of a Persian circle of villages, or a Persian port
(not, like the Dashties, sufficiently strong to defend itself), the Ilakem,
or Sheikh, or Moollah would be removed from his Government at the
pleasure of the Bushire Governor. Criminals would be sent to Bushire,
and revenue, if not punctually paid, would be levied by Mohussil, or,
failing this way, by force.
41. Reviewing the trade of this coast line as you pass along it
from the north, southward, the first port that comes under notice is
that of Bunder Dillum; it is a small, busy, open, town clustering
round a square fort; it is one of
Tide paragraph 13. two points, the other being Ilin-
deean already remarked on, where sea-borne trade lands to follow the
( 9 )
Belibeban line; Zeitoon, the point of general trade convergence on the
Ilindeean River, is distant from Dilium about 5^ fursacs. The stream
is crossed by a raft, or in the low season at a ford, a mile or two before
you reach Zeitoon. Formerly Zeitoon returned 9,000 Tomans customs
per annum, but now yields only 3,000 Tomans. This falling off, like
that of both population and revenue along the entire coast line from
Mashoor to Congoon, is,attributed to the absence of attraction between
the Government and the people, and to the consequent emigration or
idleness of the latter. Dillum, like all other ports along this coast,
is a mere entrepot, and the number of its resident inhabitants does not
adequately represent the extent of its commerce. Zeitoon is a fine
agricultural district. The trade of Dillum may be roughly stated as
follows:—
jExports,
Wheat and barley to the value of
Wool ditto
Kogun clierag ditto
Grapes and raisins ditto
Bogun ditto
30,000 Kraus to Busreh, Koweit,
and Lingah.
1,00,000 ICrans to Bushire and
Koweit for India.
10,000 Ivrans.
20,000 Ivrans to Koweit and Busreh.
30,000 ditto.
Imports.
Piece-goods ... 1,50,000 Krans value )
Sugar ... 50,000 ditto. > From Bushire and Koweit.
Tea ... 10,000 ditto. J
Dates ... 50,000 ditto. Equal to 1,000 Karehs from Busreh.
These impoi'ts go to Behbchan and also Ram Hormuz.
The Customs receipts may be from 15,000 to 20,000 Krans per annum on both
exports and imports together.
42. Between Bunder Dillum and the next port of Bunder Reegh
lie the traces of the ruins of an ancient port and of ancient cities of
immense extent. This tract has been known as Gunaweh from time
immemorial; its upper portion is a confused tumbling of low, grotes¬
quely-shaped sandstone and earthy hills, in parts intersected with
vertical lines of gypsum cropping up like the jagged edges of broken
plate glass, or strewn over the slopes like pieces of ice. Leaving* this
rugged, confused region, you emerge on the beautiful plain of the
ancient Geramha, the chief town of Gunaweh, whose extensive ruins
still hillock the soil for miles around. Some Hindoo-looking temples
still stand on the outskirts towards the beach, with their acorn-shaped
domes of spiral brick or stonework, and with their invariable accom¬
paniments of two or three banyan trees, the only ones to be found in the
country. The architecture of these temples and of their neighbouring
wells seems still to tell of a time when Kafirs, whether Hindoos (as
tradition asserts) or others flourished on this plain. Perhaps from that
port of Grai the wealth of the lowest layer of debris in yonder mounds,
the earliest Geramha, was exchanged with that coming from Edom or
Chaldea, through the earliest Geranhensis, near the present Grane or
Koweit. It has happened to me to wonder over the traces of many
B
( 10 )
ancient cities, but no reiteration of tlic scene ever mitigates the solem¬
nity of its rejection or the gloom of its forebodings. Whatever may
have been the histories of their rise and fall, one feds, in digging down
these strata of silent homes, that they formed not one city, but succes¬
sive cities, each leaving a conglomerate of what it used as its only record ;
each showing that man had come of age ere history began ; and one and
all revealing, as from the grave, the common doom of human power on
earth.
43.To the south of the Geramha ruins lies the bed of a once
abundant river, the Kuleel; it passed dose under the walls of the city
with Fort Teesko, seemingly an old citadel, on its northern side. A
massive gateway stood on the southern bank. The channel of the
Ivuled is now a salt water creek. An earthquake changed the course
of the fresh water stream at its source; and its dry or salty bed still
explains the cause of the ancient prosperity and present comparative deso-
. , . lation of the Gunaweh plain. I picked
up*inCother p?a°cPefaiongetLToast': * "P «>me spirally-grooved cylinders * of
baked clay, tradition says they were
what the Kafirs hurled from leathern slings when Geramha was attacked.
It is possible war may, as usual, have aided time and nature in destroy¬
ing art. The quickest destroyer of men is man.
44.Bunder Reegh is very inferior in size and importance to Dil-
lum; it imports only for its own wants and for those of its neighbour¬
hood ; it is not a port for any route to the interior. Its trade may be
somewhat as below :—
Exports.
Wheat and barley ... ... ... ... 20,000 Brans’worth.
Wool ... ... ... ... ... 10,000 ditto.
Imports.
100 Karehs of dates and piece-goods to the value of 10,000 Krans, also a few mis¬
cellaneous articles for home consumption.
The gross of the customs may be 10,000 Krans.
45. To the south of Bunder Reegh, and immediately north of
Bushire creek, lies a flat corn-growing circle of some ten Arab villages
known as Rohilla; indeed, it may be remarked that, coming southward
from the Chaab territories, the plain, there wholly pastoral, becomes
gradually patched with corn, until, towards Rohilla, large breadths are
found under the plough. A fresh water stream, fordable only in one or
two places, runs through this district, which none the less depends solelv
on rain. It is traditioned that this Roodhulla, or Ilulla River received
a portion of the waters turned by the earthquake from the Kuleel River
of Gunaweh, the remainder of that stream having burst northward
towards Belibehan, and found exits in the Ilindeean (Ah Sheereen) in
an affluent of that river meeting it near Zeitoon, and in the southermost
tributary of the Gerahee.
46. Sheaf, a small port on the northern shore of the Bushire creek,
is a sea outlet for Rohilla produce, and is distant only some three miles
( 11 )
from tlie nearest liamlet in this circle. The corn* of these districts,
being* dependent upon uncertain and scant rain fall, is sparely sown,
broadcast, and carelessly ploughed in with the old scratch; but there is
little doubt that, under proffer management of water and free of restric¬
tion and unequal taxation, the country around the Bushire creek might
export corn and cotton to a considerable quantity.
47. I come now to Bushire itself, and as this is the principal port
in the Gulf, I append the least erroneous and most detailed statements I
have been enabled to collect of its export and import trade, drawn up with
care and diligence by Mr. James Edwards, the Head Accountant in this
Presidency. These statementsf may form a rough index to the general
character of the trade of the remaining ports in these waters; but not
only are similar statements not available for those other ports, but it is
probable that, if procured, their submission might only tend to mislead,
for the articles which would appear as imports by large craft at one port
might again appear as exports from this same place and as imports again
at some other point: and the date do not exist for analyzing these com¬
plications and presenting a complete statement of the trade in the Persian
Gulf considered as a whole.
48. I note below a list of the principal exports and imports of
Bushire obtained from independent mercantile sources:—
Exports from Bushire in, 1863.
Cotton
Madder root..
Haw silk
Gall nuts ...
Almonds
Kaisins
Tallow
Tobacco
Hose Water...
Ditto ...
Asafoetida ...
Salop
60,000 Tabreez maunds.
1,00,000
10,000
7,000
50,000
50,000
30,000
1,20,000
6 to 20,000 Carboys.
15,000 Flasks.
3,000 Tabreez maunds.
1,200
Gum, Persia.. 25,000 Tabreez maunds.
Wool ... 1,00,000
Wheat ... 15,00,000
Opium ... 4,700 „
Ghee . ... 10,000
Cummin seed. 40,000 „
Bees’ wax ... 4,000 „
Dates ,.. 20,000 Baskets.
Gram ... 26,000 Tabreez maunds.
Carpets ... 5,000 Pieces.
Wine .. .500 to 1,000 Carboys.
* These districts rear a good half-bred description of horse, half Persian, half Arab:
they pass currently under the general name of the Chaab Arab horse. The principal defects
of this half-breed are found in a small arm and falling off of the hind quarter. They are
better roadsters than the pure Arab, but they lack his quietness, intelligence, and endurance.
By recrossing the Koliilla Chaab with a pure Arab, it is found that a good-looking and ser¬
viceable horse of large hone and height is obtained; but, on the whole, no cross is a satis¬
factory animal; and he is never so gentlemanly, whether in manners or appearance, as the
real Hamadauee, Saglair, Ivbaltan, or Anezee.
f These statements have been framed by taking the opinions and estimates of several
Native traders upon the details of trade at the ports and concerning the articles in which
they were severally interested. These estimates have then been reviewed by an intelligent
and experienced member of a long-established European Firm, and subsequently considered
by the Head Accountant. I consider that, though not exact, they are sufficiently near
approximations to correctness to prove serviceable guides.
( 12 )
Imports at Bushire,
Cashmere shawls to value of
Es. 25,00,0001
Camphor
... to value of Rs,
2.000
Cocoanut oil
tt
tt
2,000
Coflee
• * * » a
4< MUM)
Preserves (Ginger)
tt
It
5,000
Black wood
••• tt tt
Bo.ooo
Sealing wax ...
„
tt
1,000
Brazil wood
it it
4.< K M >
Alum ...
tt
6,000
. Iron
tt it
10.000
Piece goods, Europe
tt
tt
G,00,000
Sal Ammonia
1 tt it
G.Of >0
Yarn, Europe ...
tt
ft
35,000
Brugs <
tt it
7,< M M)
Flints for Guns..
tt
it
0,000
Steel
••• tt . it
31 MM)
Lead
tt
ft
7,000
Glassware
tt it
7,oi >o
Tin, Pig
tt
tt
70,000
Candles, wax
• ♦» tt it
2,ot)()
Tin, Sheet
tt
tt
5,000
Gold cloth
♦ * * tt tt
75.000
Stationery*
tt
it
2,000
Zinc
• • • t> t>
41 MM)
Leather...
tt
>t
4,000
Quicksilver
tt tt
4,( M M >
Spices ...
tt
ft
50,000
Sundries
••• tt tt
1,()( ).000
Pepper ...
tt
ft
50,000
Sugar ...
tt
tt
9,50,000
Total Imports, Its.
47,00,000
Sugar candy ...
it
it
40,000
Tea
tt
a
80,000
49. An Abstract
of tbe Bushire trade prepared last year is also
subjoined.
Abstract Statement of the estimated Exports and Inports at Bushire.
Exports to
Rupees.
Imports from
Rupees.
Bombay
J ava
Jeddo
Total approximate Ex¬
ports, Rupees
10,00,000
3,50,000
1,80,000
Bombay
Java
Total approximate Im¬
ports, Rupees
37,00,(KM)
10,00,000
15,30,000
47,00,000
50. Some clue may be found to tlie trade of Bushire in the terms
upon which it is farmed by the Governor, for the -revenue system
throughout is. one of farming, the terms of the annual contracts
remaining a constant quantity; while it is only the douceur that varies.
51. The revenues of the Bushire Government then are farmed*
for a gross amount of some 30,000 Tomans, of which 15,000 Tomans
may represent the customs, and the balance octroi receipts and land
and pole tax from the tribes and villagers.
# One of tlie consequences of this system of farming is that the .agriculturalist is
called on for a much larger rent than the State receives from him : e. g.> A farms a
Governorship from the Shah for an amount B plus C. the douceur. A in turn farms his
circles of villages, of which D takes one circle. D again sublets a hamlet or one of his
villages to E, who deputes F to collect the rents. Each of course expects a profit on his
contract, and, consequently, the agriculturalist, instead of having to pay the amount which
benefits the State B, is called on for his share of B plus C {plus X) plus E’s ph.s F,s
profits). He cannot pay. F complains to E and E to A, who is dunned for his contract
sum from the capital. A gives to his sub-farmers permission to collect revenue by force;
this is done; next year some of the peasants are fled, some of the land is lying waste.
The country, in brief, is revenued as if the Government were to end with the expiry of
the Governor’s lease.
( 13 )
52. Suppose tlie Governor to clear 10,000 Tomans on tlie year
and 5,000 Tomans more to stick to the fingers of underlings, take tlie low
rate of 5 per cent, (being that of the most favoured foreign nation) as
an average custom due on both exports and imports, and the gross value
of the entire trade of Bush ire so estimated would amount to Tomans
900,000, or about £4,50,000 Sterling.
53. Trade reaches” Bushire from Batavia, Mauritius, and in part
from India, in square-rigged vessels, but perhaps the bulk of the Indian
trade comes in native craft of from 100 to 200 and 300 tons burthen.
54. A small portion of the imports are subsequently re-exported
to other Gulf Ports in a smaller class of sea-going native craft, but the
large bulk of it finds its way into the interior of Persia by mule caravan.
After reaching Shiraz, it divides, a part passing to Yezd, and the
remainder to Ispahan, with a sprinkling round these cities.
55. A caravan shows large, but there may be a good deal of bell-
tinkling under the pony's neck, -without much wool or cotton on the
mules' backs: it would take some 3,000 mules to carry off the cargo
of a small vessel of 500 tons; and it is probable that a year's 'traffic
along a well-frequented Persian road might be stowed away in the
shipping of an average London yard. The imaginative mind of Persia
attributes to this her almost sole seaport an incomparable commerce; but
the common-place sense of an Englishman weighs upon the facts of
the terms of the farm from a Government not celebrated for generosity;
of the paucity of square-rigged vessels in the roads, there is, at this
moment, not one of the straggling in from time to time of a single
Bombay bugla, three parts in ballast having dropped the bulk of her
cargo at Abbass or Lingah; of the closing of the native craft trade with
India during the south-west monsoon; of Bushire being a town contain¬
ing some 10,000 inhabitants only; of the paucity of fodder and supplies
along the Shiraz road; of the smallness of the caravans, numbering from
50 to 60 mules, and finally on the fact that, when Bunder Abbass was
blockaded a few years ago, and its trade thrown for the moment along
the Bushire road, the price of carriage at Bushire to Shiraz, a distance
of some ISO miles, rose from 15 or 17 Krans per mule to 80 Kraus.*
56. The physical disadvantages of Bushire as a port are con¬
siderable; it is a roadstead, only partially protected against the prevailing
winds from the north-west; the anchorage is four miles from the landing
place: communication with shipping by boats is always slow, either to
or from the Bunder, and is sometimes wholly cut off for days together
during a strong north-wester.
57. The port enjoys a management differing from ours; boats
cannot go off after sunset, nor move to land cargo until the manifest has
* Of course, carriage at Bushire being adjusted to its average trade, any sudden
influx of extraneous goods would have temporarily raised the rates of carriage to an
arbitrary maximum. Still the distance to Shiraz being so short and the rise so enormous
in rate tend to show that the Bushire trade cannot bear those calls which really large trade
usually can sustain without ruinous effects.
( 11 )
been seen by the Governor.* English trade is rated, under Treaty, in
and out, at 5 per cent., without further inland demand; but native trade
loses on the import as compared with ours, and, perhaps, in some articles,
gains on the export, e.g.y on exportation of corn. Twice since* I arrived
in the Gulf, now four months ago, the export of corn has been interdicted,
and an English barque, for which corn had been stored when no prohibi¬
tion existed, and which, for the lading of this cQrn, had foregone a cargo
of dates at Busreh, was obliged, a few weeks past, to purchase stone
ballast at Bushire and proceed in ballast to England owing to a sudden
local interdict on corn. In one instance the Governor relaxed the inter¬
dict out of friendly feeling towards me: I am sensible of the kindness.
But trade cannot thrive under considerations of personality or arbitrary
interference. A British merchant assured me that the prosperity of
English trade at Bushire hinged much on the terms subsisting between
the Resident and the Persian authorities. Again, a flight of locusts or
absence of rain is sufficient cause for a sudden corn law; douceur*, &c„ are
said to be almost essential to the conduct of trade at all. The Govern¬
ments of countries are probably as good as the governed deserve; but it
is none the less true that among the principal difficulties in the develop¬
ment of the Persian Gulf trade must be numbered that resulting from
the action of Governmental authority. It is just, however, to add that,
since the foregoing was written, the Shah has disapproved his Governor’s
interdict.
58. Some few years ago 6 to 7 square-rigged vessels came from
Mauritius annually in ballast, and ran back corn: this trade has ceased,
or turned towards Kurrachce, owing, as I am assured, to the vexations it
suffered in the Gulf.
59. The cotton trade at Bushire has, as elsewhere, received a consi¬
derable impetus by the American Civil War. Sixty thousand Tabreez
maunds (7fibs, each) have been shipped, and it is said that, during the
coming season, ten times that quantity may be thrown on the market.
Prices rose so high that it would have paid to bring cotton from Tabreez
some 12 or 13 hundred miles on mules and export it at Bushire. Persia
can grow cotton from Tabreez, west, to Meshed, east, and southward to
the cotton fields of Reshire, 4 miles from Bushire. These latter returned
good crops, until changes in taxation stopped the sowing and the cultiva¬
tors decreased in numbers.
60. The sugar trade with Java has increased during the past 20
years from 5,0*00 Piculs (17 Tabreez maunds each) to 50,000 Piculs: this
sugar drives those of Mysore, Bengal, Mauritius, and Siam out of the
market. The refiners find that the Java sugar yields a larger quantity of
loaf sugar per maund than the other sugars.
* The landing of goods and the embarkation of goods at Bushire are a nr nopoly in
the hands of a man called a Hamal Bashee; he farms this business, and no person oilier
than he is allowed to land or embark goods. It is true that it would be open to an English
merchant to introduce his own cargo boats, hut then he must also have his own boatmen,
and these not Persian subjects, otherwise they might he interfered with. In my opinion,
any steamer line in the Gulf trade should render itself wholly independent of the shore
for the landing and embarkation of its goods.
( 15 )
Gl. A considerable trade in opium has sprung up of late years with
Yezd, and I believe also Ghayn; their light yellow-colored stick opium,
when unadulterated, is of excellent quality. Accounts differ as to the
place it now occupies in the market, one of the China journals asserting
that excessive adulteration had destroyed its chance in that country;
while here it is asserted that large quantities still reach China via Batavia
and Singapoor.
62. The export of wool to the quantity of 100,000 Tabreez maunds
is, I think, inconsiderable as compared with what might take jfface.
Some of the wool is imported at Bushire, in the first instance, from other
and minor ports; but I surmise that, if a regular demand were made
known round the Gulf and payment duly secured, a great development
might be given to this trade.
63. Saltpetre brought in small quantities from Lar does not pay;
it would have a better chance, perhaps, if manufactured at Kishm or
Ormuz, or some other point on the sea-board.
64.As to the route from
Via the Dulikee Pass, Kazroon, and
thence to the point where trade diverges,
Shiraz.
so may cost about 5 Tomans, or a
to Teheran.
Bushire inland, it is rugged, stony,
mountainous to Shiraz, but less so
along the plateau to Ispahan and
Teheran : a mule load of 340lbs. or
little less, in carriage, from Bushire
65.
Moving
Congoon, Asseeloo, Nabend, Naklieeloo,
Cheroo, Khelat, Charrack, and Mogoo.
along a series of
or insignificant
southward from Bushire you pass
small coast villages,
ports lying amid a skirting of date
trees, and immediately below a pre¬
cipitous range of barren mountains, which, seen from a vessel's deck,
seem to rise sheer out of the water, untrodden by human foot. Among
these villages Congoon was at one time a busy little place, but the
Dashtee tribe, whose sea frontage is near, wasted and ruined it.
66. At length you come to Lingali, the port next in importance to
Bushire, of the 2nd class as now con¬
sidered. The general character of
the commerce of these two ports is
That is of ports ethnologically Arab, but
considered under Class 2.
similar, that of Lingah, of course, being far less in extent and smaller
in variety. Its recent condition has been unusually prosperous, but the
history of its rise is instructive. Comparatively, a few years ago, it was
almost unknown, and was farmed for 100 Tomans per annum under the
local Government of Lar. The farm subsequently rose to 200 Tomans,
presently the Sheikh of Lingah chanced to have a quarrel with the
Sheikh of Abbass. The latter exposed the lightness of the demand made
by Government against Lingah as compared with that made elsewhere.
The trade of Lingah was enquired into, and the annual contract raised to
2,000 Tomans. The increase of trade then slackened. It may at present
have a trade equivalent to about one-
fourth* that of Bushire. The prin¬
cipal attractions of the place are
that goods can be dropped there more quietly than at* Bushire and
with less interference and cost; they can then sometimes find their way
* I suspect its trade is
fourth as large.
more than one-
( IB )
through the dilapidated walls of Shiraz without a second demand, while
a caravan coming from Bushire is generally advertized to the authori¬
ties at Shiraz.
G7. But Lingah, in point of position and lines of road to the inte¬
rior, is less favorably situated, perhaps, than any other port. The mute
to Shiraz is arduous, ill-supplied, and unsafe. t It is probable its com¬
merce, as compared with that of other ports, would rather decrease than
otherwise under a thorough development of the Gulf trade.
68. Apart, however, from its landwards trade, Lingali enjoys a
sea-carrying trade; she imports timber from India, and may possess some
twelve buglas of from 200 to 300 tons each, some 50 smaller craft of
from 50 to GO tons, and 500 or GOO small coasting buggarehs; hut the
number of boats belonging to a port in the Gulf is no sufficient criterion
of the trade of that port. Bunder Abbass possesses scarcely any boats.
Craft call there en route to the northward, or to India, drop and take
in cargo, and pass on : the newly-established line of steamers follow the
same practice.
G9. I pass southward to the 3rd class of territories; among these
the principal port is Bunder Abbass.
The trade of this port is variously
estimated; all admit it to be thriv¬
ing; I am inclined to suppose it
may he three-fourths as large as
that of Bushire, perhaps even
more.
Bunder Abbass, with its adjacent dis¬
tricts northward to a point near Lingah,
and southwards to a tract whose political
jurisdiction is not determined under
Treaty entered into and recognized by
everybody concerned. Island of Kishrn
and dependencies.
70. The means for collecting any detailed account of the trade of
Bunder Abbass are not at my disposal, this port being temporarily
farmed by Muscat, and thus excluded the region of communication with
this Residency. It is, however, the principal port of entry for piece-
goods into Persia; it imports also coffee, tea, sugar, spices, and miscel¬
laneous goods: among its exports are wool and fruit, the latter drawn
from a fertile district a little inland.
71. I have noticed that Bunder Abbass has been somewhat decried
as a port, hut I am of opinion that it is the point where trade coming
to and fro a vast area of southern Central Asia naturally meets the
sea. At present its trade is said to be in a partially abnormal condition,
owing to its following a route which, if Bushire were less interfered
with, would not fall to Abbass; for instance, Bunder Abbass, in some
degree, supplies the Shiraz market, and this although the road thither
is twice as long as from that town to Bushire, besides being less safe.
In its normal condition, perhaps, the proper sphere of Bunder Abbass
trade would be along the Yezd and Kerman routes to points found
along a line extending from Furrah through Herat, Ghayn, Tong,
Tubbus, Meshed, Nishapoor, and so to Teheran. The Bunder Abbass
trade should, in brief, be a central one, meeting the Ivurrachee trade
via Candahar on its eastern flank, the Russian trade of the Oxus and
Caspian on its north, and the Tabreez and Bushire trade on its western
side. No doubt, a large area in the region thus described is at present
( 17 )
comparatively desert, while those portions of it known politically, such,
for instance, as the States of Herat, Khion, and Bokhara, are poor
consumers; still the total area to he supplied is so extensive, that even
an infinitessimally small trade per 10 square miles would endow Bunder
Abbass with a rich commerce. Moreover, some of the States referred to
were once comparatively wealthy, and still contain the soil, the positions,
and the men for becoming* so again. Political circumstances and the
slow permeation of thought through those regions may any day give
them an impulse as welcome in the commercial as it may prove startling
in the political world. I chanced some little time ago to read the
History of Genghis Khan with an Heratee, who formerly administered
the Illyat Districts of that principality. I asked him how it was no
Genghis arose now to redeem his country ? He replied—“ We possess
too many of them. In old times men were beasts of burthen; a Chief
of character could do what he liked and they would follow; but people
travel now, and think and look to money results : caravans come from
Hind and Buss and tell them what is what. Heratees would not follow
a Genghis or Nadir now,* but if a Sahib were to go and lead them on
in advance of what they now are, as Genghis did in advance of what
they were in his time, and if he would pay them properly (for men will
not work continuously now without pay), he might, in three or four
years, render the country more flourishing than it was under the sons of
Timour Lang/'
7 2. To return : as illustrative of the manner in which trade meets,
competes, and finds its level at points along the line towards which that
of Bunder Abbass naturally flows, I may mention that when I was at
Herat in 1860-61 I found piece-goods from the Teheran and Candahar
lines, bearing their respective English and Bussian marks, competing on
the same counter in the Herat Bazar, and their respective qualities severely
criticised by the traders They seemed, on the whole, to prefer the
Teheran goods, but those from India were cheaper. True, it was surmised
that the Teheran goods came originally, in greatest part, from England.
Again, I found Bussian brick tea meeting tea from all other quarters,
and commanding the highest price as the best in the market. The
retailers told me, Kurrachee tea was driving a hard bargain with others to
maintain their ground, but the retailers added that some tea had arrived
from Kurrachee during* the preceding year, not in boxes like the Bombay
tea, but in small packets, and that this latter was so execrable as to have
injured the general repute of Kurrachee-borne teas. I was puzzled at
the moment to distinguish the tea in question, but it was practically
explained to me on subsequent arrival at Kurrachee that tea was brought
to Sinde in packets for the use of troops and others; that this tea, after
being drunk by the soldiers, was re-collected, dried, and re-packed in the
* I remember coming1 on some two thousand families of the Jumsheedee tribe of the
Bala Moorghub; they had refused to.fight for the Herat Sirdar; had been attacked by
him ; had been worsted and led into captivity. When I fell in with them they had just
reached the bank of the Herat river; some were urging on their cattle, some helping on
their children: many, particularly of the women, were seated in a most desponding
manner in the river bank. The 137th Psalm was before you—•“ By the river, there we
sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered * * * Oh! daughter of Babylon, who art
to be destroyed, &e.
C
( is )
old packets l>y the barrack boys, and then sold in the Kurraohoe Bazar
for a mere song, to be exported via the Candahar line. Again, I found
at Bunder Abbass some stick opium of excellent quality from Gluq> n, and
on showing it at Bombay attention was drawn to the circumstance rni
the Gulf, and a considerable trade from the Ghayn direction has since
sprung up. I was struck all along the route of North Persia with the
unvarying presence of the Russian lumberscyne tea-urn (Samawar)
brought from the great fairs beyond the Caspian : would it not be
possible to bring into competition with it a lighter, handier article ?
73. That Bunder Abbass is situate in a position favorable for trade
is in some degree to be inferred from the history of the neighbouring
island of Ormuz. No island could possibly look more unpromising; it
is, in brief, a confused-looking mass of spongy earth mounds and saline
efflorescence; yet, under European management, in times gone by, it
was described as follows :—
“ Instamond, in his History of the East Indies, says:—At the
mouth of the Strait of Mocandon, which leads into the Persian Gulf,
lies the island of Gombroon. In the eleventh century an Arabian
conqueror built upon this barren rock the city of Ormuz, which after¬
wards became the capital of an empire, comprehending a considerable
portion of Arabia on one side and of Persia on the other. Ormuz had
two good harbours, aud was large and well fortified; its riches and
strength were entirely owing to its situation. It was the centre of
trade between Persia and the Indies, which was very considerable if we
remember that the Persians at that time caused the greatest part of the
merchandize of Asia to be conveyed to Europe from the ports of Syria
and Caffa. At the time of the arrival of the foreign merchants Ormuz
afforded a more splendid and agreeable scene than any city in the East:
persons from all parts of the Globe exchanged their commodities and
transacted their business with an air of politeness and attention which
are seldom seen in other places of trade.
“ These manners were introduced by the merchants belonging to the
ports, who induced foreigners to imitate their affability; their address,
the regularity of their police, and the variety of entertainments which
their city afforded, joined to the interests of commerce, invited merchants
to make it a place of resort. The pavement of the streets was covered
with mats, and in some places with carpets; and the linen awnings which
were suspended from the tops of houses prevented any inconvenience
from the heat of sun. Indian cabinets ornamented with gilded vases, o?
China filled with flowering' shrubs or aromatic plants, adorned their apart
ments; camels laden with water were stationed in the public squares
Persian wines, perfumes, and all the delicacies of the table were furnisher
in the greatest abundance; and they had the music of the East in it
highest perfection : in ^hort, universal opulence and extensive commerce
a refined luxury, politeness in the men, and gallantry in the womei
united all their attractions to make this city the seat of pleasure.
“ An English traveller, Ralph Fitch, who visited this island, Jescrih
it thus :— i
“ Ormuz is an island in circuit about five and twenty or thirty mil<
and is the driest island in the world, for there is nothing growing on
( 19 )
but only sail, for the water, wood, or victuals, and all tilings necessary
come out of Persia, which is about twelve miles from thence. All there¬
about is very fruitful, from whence all kinds of victuals are sent into
Ormuz. The Portuguese have a castle here, which standeth near unto the
sea, wherein there is a Captain for the King of Portugal, having under
him a convenient number of soldiers, whereof some part remain in the
castle and some in the town. In this town are merchants of all nations
and many Moors and Gentiles. There is a very great trade of all sorts
of spices, drugs, silk, cloth of silk, fine tapestry of Persia, great store of
pearls, which come from the isle of Bahrein, and are the best pearls of all
others, and many horses of Persia, which serve all India.”
74. That the island, instead of the present port, was at that time
made the entrepot, was due probably to the circumstance that a foreign
settlement of merchants preferred to sustain the cost of a double landing
and shipment rather than run the risk to property and person incident to
a residence on the main-land,
75. When, however, Shah Abbass, a Sovereign whose serais for the
accommodation of trade are among the noblest and most enduring archi¬
tectural structures in Persia, turned his keen commercial eye towards the
Gulf, he put his finger on its entrance, preferred the main-land to the
island, established a port, and gave it his own name : it is possible we
may have put a finger down too.
76. As to the Customs of Bunder Abbass, they are lumped in the
farm with its inland revenues for 16,000 Tomans per annum of which
10,000 may represent Customs. The farm has some thirteen years yet
to run, and the terms of the Treaty including it are hostile to the intru¬
sion of foreigners and afford Persia considerable room for interference.
The Sultan of Muscat in turn farms both the Muscat and Abbass Customs
to a Bunnya for 95,000 Tomans, of which, perhaps, 20,000 Tomans may
represent Abbass dues; but, on the whole, the trade of the Muscat State
is in a partially transition condition owing to the division of the Imaum-
sliip into the two separate Sultanuts of Zanzibar and Muscat under the
arbitrament of the late Earl Canning. The web and woof of the home
trade is, of course, for the moment, rent asunder, and commerce takes
time to readjust itself along new groves under altered circumstances.
77. The small town of Kishm, on the southern end of the island of
that name, is another port, farmed from Persia by Muscat; its principal
export is salt, which it sends eastwards; its imports are mainly for con¬
sumption on the island. Perhaps a sulphur and saltpetre trade might
succeed at Kishm.
78. The islet of Angaum, on the seaside of Kishm, might be a
convenient point for a coal depot. The sound is always calm on one side,
with a channel of 6 or 7 fathoms; but it should be borne in mind that
this islet, like Kishm itself, may revert to -Persia a few years hence, and
that Persia is jealous of any footing whatsoever being gained on her
territory by an European.
79. My suggestion is, that, in developing the trade of the Persian
Gulf, we keep as free as may be convenient of dependence upon foreign
( 20 )
States; I believe we can do so whether we regard our trade, our Telegraph,
or our Coal Stations.
80. Before crossing to the other side of the Gulf, it may be well to
turn a general glance over Persian trade considered as a whole and as it
may be expected to develope.
81. The greatest consumers in Persia, area* for area, are to be found
within an obtuse-angled triangle, of which a line drawn from Tabreez on
the west along the southern shore of the Caspian to Meshed on the east
would form the base, and of which lines drawn from Meshed and Tabreez
respectively to Ispahan would form the other two sides. Now trade must
reach these consumers along one or more of the following routes:—
IsL— Vico Turkish Armenia from Trebizond to Tabreez.
2nd,—Vico the Russian Caucasian Provinces from Poti to Tabreez.
3rd.—From the line of the Volga across the Caspian to Resht or
Asterabad.
Mh,—From Kurraekee via the Candakar line to Furrah, and thence
either through Herat to Meshed, or through Ghayn to the Nishapoor
portion of the Teheran road.
5th.—From Bunder Abbass through Yezd or Kerman.
§th.—From Buskire via Shiraz, and thence through Ispahan or
Yezd,
7 th.—From some port on the Persian Gulf other than Buskire and
Bunder Abbass; or
8th.—Along some line between the head of the Gulf and Bagdad,
and thence continuing either into the plateau of Persia via Kermanskah
or Shuster, or else keeping northward through the Kurds.
82. But trade coming by the first route has to meet the Turkish
Custom Houses, to traverse 500 miles of mountainous country, sometimes
impassable from snow, and oftener unsafe from plunderers, until it reach
Tabreez; it has then to meet the Persian Customs, and, if sent on to
Teheran, to make another land journey of 700 miles, or, if to Ispahan, of
800 or more. If finally it go on to Meshed, it has a further land route
of 800 miles along a frontier road scant of water and supplies, and broken
in upon by the Turkomans of the Attruk and Goorgan,
83. If trade come via Georgia, it has the Russian duties to pay,
many difficulties of carriage from Poti to Khoi, then to meet the Persian
Customs at Tabreez, and so on, as above detailed. If it debouche on the
Caspian at Lenkeran, it has reshipment, relanding, and the tropical,
unroaded Provinces of Ghelan or Mazanderan to traverse before it ascends
the Ghats to Casween, or debouches on the Meshed road, at Bostan.
84. The Volga line, though enjoying lengthened water carnage, has
also to bear a long land journey to meet Custom Houses, repeated reship¬
ments, sometimes the cost of steam transit, and eventually to land at
Resht or Asterabad, and proceed as above described.
( 21 )
85. If trade come from Kurrachee, it must pass up either Siude or
Beloocbistan to the Affgban Frontier, near Shawl, a distance of some
500 miles, a road singularly rocky and mountainous if by Beloochistan,
and involving the Bolan Pass if by Sinde. From Shawl it has a journey
of 200 miles nearly to Candahar, and of 800 miles on to Furrah, sub-
* The direct road to the Fort of Herat jected en route to Affgban interfer-
leaves the Fort of Furrah to its left, and ence and dues. At Furrah it must
passes hy Geraneh, diverge either 200 miles to* Herat
or 400 or 500 miles to the Teheran road; and in either case to traverse a
wild region, where the borderers of Persia, Seistan, Affghanistan, and
Herat meet on their conterminous frontiers. From Herat to Meshed,
200 miles, it must travel along a border tramped and desolated by the
Saloor, Sarookh, and Tekkee Turkomans of the Moorghab and Merve.
These plunderers have already carried into slavery the men, women, and
children of hundreds of villages along this line, and those villages still
lie waste and tenantless. From Meshed and the Nishapoor point the
route is as before noticed.
86. For trade to proceed from any point on the Gulf other than
Bushire or Bunder Abbass would involve the opening up of a new line
along a route more arduous, less safe, and not shorter; and the same
remark would apply to the Shuster line.
87. As to Bagdad, it seems at first glance to possess some advan¬
tages if that trade could reach the triangle sought by shortening its
land and lengthening its water transit. But merchants object that this
route would involve sailing sea-going craft up to Busreh, of their running
the gauntlet of the Turkish Custom Houses, of changing to river craft,
breaking bulk, and of eventually having to cross an unsafe tract between
Bagdad and Kermanshah, there meeting the Persian duties. Hence
this line is not availed of unless for the trade of the Skaat-el-Arab,
Tigris, and Kermanshah, and Hamadan lines of consumption; but I am
ill acquainted with this line, although I find among my recollections a
passing visit, that the walls of Bagdad appeared to have been built for a
bigger city, and that there were few trading craft on the Tigris.
88. Similar remarks would apply with increased force to any route
running north from Bagdad towards the Kurds.
89. If, to the foregoing glance along these routes, I might add a
fact or two drawn from personal observation, I would remark that I met
comparatively little traffic between Trebizond and Tabreez, although
Tabreez itself seemed a considerable commercial town with well cultivated
environs. The road from Tabreez to Teheran was as unfrequented, until
one arrived at Casween, the nearest town of any importance to the Capital.
Between Teheran and Meshed I met very few caravans, and they were
principally engaged in carrying dead bodies or pilgrims from Bokhara
and Meshed to Kcrbela, Nejd, and Mecca, or in carrying pilgrims east¬
wards to the shrine at Meshed. From Meshed to Herat, and from Herat
through Furrah to Ghirisk on the Helmund, I did not meet a single
kafila, although I came on the track of one which was utterly destroyed
next morning near Lash Jowain, and although I met at the Kohi
(
)
99
Doozdan, on the Kash Rood, the SeLstanees, who had a night or two
before smitten the only kafila they had been able to fall in with.
00. Between Candahar, Quetta, Ivhelat, and the head of the Bulan,
* I went half way down the Moollah ^ 110W and then a string ol
Pass, but I did not meet any traffic there : camels,* but I found between Kilob¬
it was in December. dar and Kurraehee a larger 1>ulk of
goods on camels than I had met along the entire route from Meshed to
Ivhozdar; I might, perhaps, add from even Teheran to Khozdur. I lling
these facts out without wishing to strain them into a theory for deter¬
mining the proportions of trade along any given distance; and it is
possible, had I returned to Teheran, the facts might have been different.
91. I think, however, all circumstances considered, that trade, if
left free, or even if only moderately harrassed, should be able, when
landed at Bunder Abbass, to command the markets of Kerman and Yezd,
the latter one of the wealthiest and most enterprising towns in Persia ;f
that it should further be able to compete with trade coming along any of
the lines above enumerated, to Ispahan, Teheran, and Meshed; and then
that it should flow along the Tabreez line until overpowered by the
counter-currents of the Russian and Turkish Armenian lines. Bunder
Abbass would naturally absorb also any little trade that might be needed
for Western Mekran.
92. I think, secondly, that trade, without smuggling at Lingah,
should command the immediate neighbourhood of Lar and the adjacent
coast line.
93. Thirdly, that trade landed at Bushire should command those
districts below the Passes, and also the market of Shiraz and the Pro¬
vince of Pars in general; it might compete with other routes as far
north as Ispahan, but not, I think, at Teheran; finally, it might be able
to throw a sprinkling of goods towards Yezd.
94. The advantages of Bunder Abbass as a port for the supply of
the markets under notice may be compared with those of Bushire as
follows:—
95. Bunder Abbass is less interfered with by authority; the dues
are more moderate, and are levied without needless delay or injury to
goods; absence of octroi no subsequent governmental demand, unless at
Yezd, where it is moderate, readily levied, and whence trade moves on
direct to the Capital (while trade at Bushire sustains eii route not only
octroi, but a heavy demand and delay at Shiraz, and a third demand at
Ispahan), an easier and more level road; an abundant supply of camels
instead of a limited supply of mules, each camel carrying 4501bs against
a mule’s 340H3s., and costing one-third less ; avoidance of delay and risk
incident to sea passage up the Gulf against the prevailing Nor-Westers.
f The principal merchants at Yezd are Guebres, also some Hindoos and a few Ispa-
hanees : the Hindoos are from Mooltan.* It is remarkable that on the Herat and Bokhara
line the Indian traders come from Shikarpoor principally; then towards South Persia from
Mooltan. At Zanzibar they are principally from Kuteh and that neighbourhood. At
Bushire there is not a single Banyan. The fact is, a Banyan will stand any tyranny, any
misery, anything you please, except permanenlloss of profits; when this last calamity arrives,
he goes away, as he has done, from Bushire.
( 2;3 )
96. The disadvantages of Bunder Abbass are—
1st.—That its town and road are considered less safe, but this
objection is mitigated by the largeness of caravans. An
Abbass fcafila may number from 1,000 to 2,000 camels.
In Bushire it is rare to see 100 mules in the samekafila.
2ncl.—That the distance from Bunder Abbass to Teheran via
Yezd is longer than that of Bushire from Teheran via
Ispahan and Shiraz; but then the Yezd road, as before
mentioned, is easier and less interfered with, hence less
delayed.
97. Looking forward to the possible development of Persian and
Central Asiatic trade from the Gulf line, I should say that, compared with
its area, it must always be small; but that the area for the supply of which
the Persian Gulf is the only continuous Ocean line is so immense, that the
trade, naturally seeking its waters, would, if not stifled by authority, rapidly
increase and be very considerable regarded as a whole. The Persian
peasant is a frugal, avaricious, trade-seeking man; the climate over the
entire area to be served necessitates clothing : I have never met a man
without a hat or turban of some sort. The Persian khula is an article
of fashion, and may cost anything from 10 shillings to £10. The
Illyat wears a felt; the Persianized Arab a holy tUrban. Everybody
carries a pair of shoes or sandals on his feet or in his hands. Trowsers
obtain in towns, but are wisely discarded in country as an impediment
to free walking. As to coats, they are universal, of the length of the
body, and of all colors and descriptions. The Persian usually carries all
he possesses on his back; looks cool during his visit; and unpeels seven,
eight, or a dozen outer garments when he gets home. In Chinaware he
is a connoisseur, and it is difficult to deceive him. Arms of all sorts are
in request, but a double-barreled over and under pistol is wisely preferred
to a revolver. It is remarkable how long the awkward match or flint¬
lock holds its ground; and I cannot but think that it is in some degree
due to the want of a thorough trial of our modern rifles : they appreciate
our fowling-pieces. All this means trade.
98.But the fact is, that in Central Asia, as elsewhere, if you want
to trade, especially in the retail or fancy line, you must study fashion;
if you throw red broadcloth into a Persian town, or stone-color, black,
or sky-color, among the Bedouins, they may remain on hand. Exchange
the bales across the Gulf, and they may sell off-hand. When I was at
Zanzibar last year an enterprising Hanseatic merchant hit upon the idea
of imitating the famous Muscat turban; he found he could import from
Hambro an equally good (in my view better) looking article at a reduced
price; but the Arabs and Sowahailee men about town decided the colors
were a little too bright: the article was forthwith gassamer to a beaver.
Another gentleman sampled a large pink bead; the only objection
possible to it was, that it did not sell in Uniamesi among the mountains
of the moon. Similar accidents happened in piece-goods: a stripe too
broad or a line too little was sufficient to make the conversative ladies
of the Negro races doubt quality, and stick to the original Surat, Broach,
or Bengal.
( 24 )
99. In the articles of ghee, cotton, madder root, opium, and woo],
there is room for indefinite extension; it might be possible to create a
trade in horns, glue, hides, saltpetre, and sulphur. Persia possesses
great mineral wealth and coals, and sooner or later these must come to
market. The coal we used at the Teheran Legation was fetched some
10 or 12 miles from near Damawend; it was of good quality, and I am
of opinion that similar coal is findable in tl^e hills near Bush ire at
Gesakoon and Ilalila Hill.
100. But it is rash to foretell the future of trade, or to prefer one
route to another, so long as the arbitrary interferences of authority may,
by a stroke of the pen, ruin one line or force another.
101. I cross the Gulf to Mussendom; it is on this deeply-indented
and fantastically-outlined Cape that
the territory directly under the Sultan
Class No. 4.
of Muscat lies. A singular race of men inhabit the headland, and seem
to be an early race, driven by stronger growths of humanity into this
remotest corner; they appear as though they had paused here only
because precipiced over the sea.
102.As to the ports of this territory, they are of no present com¬
mercial value, but, as submitted more
in detail, in my letters now noted, I
am of opinion that the neighbour¬
hood of Khussub,at the outer entrance
of the Elphin stone Inlet, is a conve-
Koomzar Kfyussnb.
No. 1A., dated 13th January 1863;
No. 2A., dated 2nd January 1863; No. 6A.,
dated 16th February 1863.
nient point for the immediate establishment of an English Free Port,
under a clear, written, permanent, unquestionable title to be obtained
from our ancient ally of Muscat, concentrating there our Coal and
Telegraph main Stations for the Gulf, together with our Political Presi¬
dency. Politically and strategically considered, this point might be
rendered the key of the Persian Gulf. As a coal depot it affords calm
and good anchorage, and would save colliers the risk, time, and cost of
working up and down the Gulf; as a Telegraph Station, it is on the
Elphinstone Creek, whose head touches the neck of the promontory at
its narrowest part, and after a land passage of some 400 yards meets
the head of a deep water inlet opening on the eastern side of the Cape.
A trading steamer taking in coal at Khussub could run to Busreh or
Koweit and back without filling up. The entrance of the Gulf is the
natural terminus for your square-rigged vessels, and trade should be
delivered round the Gulf, and up the Busreh Piver, or Koweit Creeks, in
suitable native Gulf craft or steamers. A large bugla can run cheaper
than a square-rig, ton for ton, under particular circumstances; for
instance, between Bombay and East Africa they run down with the
north-east and return with the first breezes of the south-west monsoons;
but the argument fails to apply when the length of voyage and the
variability of winds and the intervening of heavy weather impede,
endanger,* or stop Pattimar sailing.
103.The case of Ormuz is a precedent for a like Station; the
interferences, incertitude, and want of accurate knowledge of the market
all round the Gulf, point to the alleviation of these evils by the creation
( 25 )
of a general entrepot at a convenient point, where all vessels passing
near the Gulf outside would, if they pleased to call, find cargo ready;
whereto all boats finding a favourable chance for exports from their
several jurisdictions could run a cargo in a few days, and whereto all
trade might converge, as circumstances admitted, from ports subjected
to sudden, but not permanent, arbitrary interference.
104. My respectful suggestion to Government is, that the forma¬
tion of a port so concentrating all our interests would do more to create
and to develope the trade of the Gulf and Busreh line, and would do
more to keep the Government accurately informed as to their relations
and the condition of commerce in the Gulf; and would further do more
to keep the maritime Arabs quiet, and to afford an issue for whatever
capabilities of trade may be possessed by Arabia, than could all the
Reports, all the figured Statements, and all the amicable interviews of
all the Residents and all the Native authorities, that ever had, or may
have, place round these waters.
105. But the port must be really free, and all tribes and people
must know and feel it to be free; and that, once there, their goods and
persons are secure and unmolested. Let the authorities of the port
limit their functions to keeping the peace, removing obstacles, enforcing
valid contracts, and punishing mercantile crime; for the rest, leave all
to private enterprise, and leave trade free as the tide to flow in and out.
I think that thus only can we practically test the commercial capabilities
of the Gulf; perhaps, in no other manner can trade attain its full and
undeformed growth all round the Globe.
106. The next class of territory to be noticed is that of the indepen¬
dent maritime Arabs : these tribes yield a tithe to the Ruler of Nejd,
whose Capital, centred at Rias, near Daryah, has an advanced Tort,
Beymer, astride the north-eastern portion of Arabia, midway between
Ras-el-khyma and the towns of Muscat; and as the Ameer of Nejd is
himself a tributary of Turkey, it follows that all the Arab maritime
Chiefs are quasi sub-feudatories of the Sultan, although they do not
acknowledge his suzerainty, unless, as on one or two occasions has been
the case with Bahrein, it suits their convenience. Bahrein once hoisted
in succession Turkish, Persian, and English flags; it is even added, she
has been known to hoist all three at once.
107.
Ras-el-khyma.
Sliargah.
Amulgavine.
ated by a long
Sheikhdom of
on the main.
These maritime tribes are located along the west coast of the
Gulf from Ras-el-khyma to Bahrein,
both inclusive; they may be distin¬
guished into Chiefdoms headed along
the so-called Pirate Coast, and sej>av-
reach of barren shore and desert from the most northerly
the Island of Bahrein, with its subject district of Guttur
Ejmaun.
Debaye.
Aboothabee, properly
Boozabee.
108. It is unnecessary to trace the intricate and lengthened gcnea-
T ^ logies of these tribes; suffice it to
Joasmees. Bern Yas. t .i , , , n 1 .
XJttoobees. note that as Pre!5Gnt round they are
named as per margin.
D
( 2<J )
109.Tlicir settlements are mainly dependent for subsistence upon
the proceeds of their pearl divings; they possess little territory, and, per¬
haps, even less real authority beyond their own immediate suburbs and
date groves ; the latter, too, are scant. As to the pearl banks, these are
held in common by the
tribes, and thousands of boats
collect there during the div¬
ing season, from April to
September; the revenues of
these banks are somewhat as
per margin. An English
during* the diving* season to
Sheikh of Bahrein.
„ „ Bas-el-khyma.
„ „ I)ebaye.
„ „ Amulgavine.
„ „ Abootahbee.
„ „ Ejinauu.
The gross yiehlings are
given in margin of para¬
graph 117; they may ho
forBahrein itself 3,30,000
Dollars, and for the other
ports 4,00,000. Dollars.
No. 39, Political Dept., of 2nd February 18G3.
vessel of war usually cruizes on the banks
keep the jieace; bnt I have, in a former letter,* reported more in detail
on these banks and their present circumstances.
110. The maritime Arabs trade also with Zanzibar and the Mala¬
bar Coast, Mangalore being their favorite port, I hear, on the latter;
they export dried fish, and import from Malabar rice and some teakwood;
and from Africa masts for their boats (for which a capital kind of wood
of great strength and pliability is found up the Pangany River, on the hill-
land of Tangaty, and, I believe, further northward in Usumbarah), cloves, of
which Zanzibar grows enough for the world's consumption, and rice, which
was expelled the island of Zanzibar (to the great improvement of its salu¬
brity) to make room for cloves, but which is still grown of good quality on
the opposite African main-land. It is worthy of remark, however, that
although rice may be grown to a practically unlimited extent on portions
of the Gulf districts, yet that the Indian rice is imported and is preferred
to all others: the explanation seems to be that Indian rice is lighter, and
swells more in the boiling; hence it is more filling at the price and
takes longer to digest: a sufficiently nutritive substance being granted,
the essentials of a poor man's food are the greatest possible bulk at a
minimum cost. Cocoanuts are also brought to some extent from Zanzi¬
bar and Pembeh, but the market for these—and there is a rapidly in¬
creasing one—is towards Marseilles and Hambro; it is possible, indeed
that cocoanuts may soon replace the clove plantations. At present the
fruit leaves Zanzibar, in pulp, dried. It is obvious, however, that, if
circumstances should favor the expression of the oil on the spot, a larger
quantity of oil might be thrown into the European markets from a
reduced tonnage; it is surmised that a salad and olive oil of good repute
is refined from the Zanzibar cocoanuts. When in Africa I suspected the
salt-fish trade with Arabia to he a ruse for running a return cargo of
slaves; it is possible some of Her Majesty's Naval Officers still think so.
The salt-fish trade is, however, a bond fide one; and not only so, but it
is, pearls alone excepted, the sole export of these maritime Arabs. Men
must export what they can produce and spare, or else they must go with¬
out imports; if men situate like these Arabs do not export salt-fish and
pearls, they must either turn pirates or starve.
111. So long ago as 1323 Captain McLeod, reporting on the
Joasmee tribe (being then at Ras-el-khyma and Shargah), described them
as possessing “ no articles of export, since their pearls are generally pur¬
chased by merchants on the spot, and the produce of their country is not
( 27 )
even sufficient for their maintenance. Their only employment is fishing,
diving for pearls, and importing dates, grain, and other necessaries of
life, which they purchase with the price of those pearls. Their dates are
chiefly brought from Bahrein and Busreh, grain and cloth from Muscat
and the Persian ports; they are very poor, and perhaps can never find
much employment in commerce unless in carrying for others, although it
it said they at one time possessed a very extensive trade. The Joasmees
procure all their materials for building, as well as their warlike stores, from
Muscat, Bahrein, and the Persian ports in the lower part of the Gulf ”
112. Colonel Kemball writing in 1845 remarked :—
“ Upon the success of the pearl-fishing and the profits of the carry¬
ing trade which it brings into operation must depend the means of
obtaining the postive necessaries of life and those trifling luxuries desir¬
able to an Arab. It is needless to observe how materially their own
condition, and, by an easily deduced corollary, the safety of the Gulf,
might be affected by the failure of a single season."” Hence “the
anxiety and care attended with great expense which has been devoted” by
our Government “ to the maintenance of perfect tranquillity and security
on the pearl banks.”
113. The maritime resources of the Arab (or piratical) ports are
stated to be as follows :—
Poets.
Buglas engaged in
the Indian and
African trades.
Their tonnage in |
morahs. |
Smaller vessels for
Gulf trade from 500
to 1,000 morahs.
Pearl Boats.
Ras-ebkhyma ...
11
24,000
15
15
Ramse
1
1,000
5
J azirat-el-Hamra.
6
35
Ilimreeah
30
Shargah
6
14,750
25
400
Heyrah
25
Faskt ...
25
Khan ...
1
2,000
5
50
Total ...
19
41,750
56
580
Amulgavine
3
9,500
10
60
Ejmaun
4
6,000
10
50
Dcbaye
4
90
Aboothabee
2
4,000
10
600
E'emaeis.
Fays 800 Dollars annually to Ras-ol-kbyma.
900 to 1,000 „ „
200
1,500 „
60 to 75 Dollars annually to Shargah,
100
100
In addition to the places here enumerated as
Joasmee territory, Sheikh Sultan Ben
Suggur possesses several small places on
this as well as Coomza, Dibah, and Khore
Faeawn, and others on the other side of
CapeMussendom, which yields him a small
revenue. His supremacy over Cassab is
merely nominal.
The tax levied upon each diver and his attendant varies, under the different Arab
Chieftains, from to 7 Dollars. The amount too fluctuates each season at the will of
the Sheikh.
( 28 )
Il k The population varies in these towns, and the frequent eon-
vulsions sustained by society have precluded any permanent increase:
the ports of Abootlmbee, Sharjah, and llas-el-khvma may contain 8,000
households; those of Amulgavine, Ejmaun, Del)aye 1,200 or so; the
lesser settlements at Khan, I ley rah, Easht GOO. I append, for more
detailed information as to resources, a Statement of the number of inha¬
bitants, vessels, houses, and date trees of the Joasmees.
115.But the richest of the maritime Arab States is Bahrein,
which island is in part fertile and well watered; it is also singularly pic¬
turesque for this unfinished part of the world. The Sheikhs of Bali rein
enjoy a revenue of some two lakhs of rupees levied on the land, or on
boats engaged in the pearl fishery, whither this State may send some
1,200 boats annually. The gross trade may be 28 lakhs of rupees,
dependent principally on pearls. No Custom dues are levied, but society
has suffered many convulsions to the retardment and even falling off of
population. The principal exports
are pearls, dried fruits, and dates.
About 3,50,000 Crowns worth of
pearls are annually collected by craft
belonging to Bahrein, and something
more than this quantity is brought
from other parts of the Gulf for sale.
The imports are mainly from India,
rice, cotton, piece goods, and spices;
of these one-fourth may be consumed
in Bahrein and the remainder be re¬
exported to other ports in the Gulf.
116.The Chief of Bahrein pos¬
sesses a greater number of craft than
any other Arab Sheikh round the
Gulf; his marine has been quoted as
per margin. It is asserted that the
trade of this island was greater 30
years ago than it now is.
117. Forty miles to the northward of Bahrein commence the ports
of the 5th class, namely, those acknowledging suzerainty of Turkey, but
practically independent. Kuteef, the first of these, is the port of the
Wahabee ruler, or more strictly of the Nejd Arabs, whose chief town of
Bais, near Durayah, lies 11 days5 march westward in the interior of
Arabia. The present Buler of Nejd is the Ameer Fysul, highly reputed
for his stern, effective, and just authority. Kuteef, however, is con¬
sidered unhealthy, and is not frequented by the Arabs coming down for
exchange towards the coast. These stop at Lahsan, distant some ten
fursaks from Kuteef and rather inland. Lahsan itself is healthy and
produces a large quantity of dates, stated to be equal in quality with
those of Busreh. Few dates, however, find their way to the sea, unless
for a small portion sent to Bahrein, which is distant from Ojair, the old,
but now abandoned, port of Lahsan, only 14 miles.
118. It is this Nejd power, occupying the wide centre of Adnan
Arabia, and composed of nomadic or only partially stationary Arab
Exports.
Pearls, dried dates, bullion, of which
some 8 lakhs rupees worth of pearls may
first reach Bahrein from the other ports.
Imports.
Principally from India, rice, cotton,
cloths, calicoes, and spices, of which 1 may
be consumed in Bahrein and f re-exported.
16 Lakhs Rupees.
12 „
28 Lakhs Rupees.
12 Buglas, not trading.
25 „ of large size, trading with
India.
12 Buteels of large size, trading with
India.
1,000 or 1,200 boats, pearl fishing.
This Statement relates to the Sheikh, not
the whole of Bahrein.
( 29 )
tribes, some now in revolt and some now used for quelling revolt, that
threatens or dominates all round the shore line from the back of the
Euphrates and Shaat-el-Arab, down along the pirate coast above des¬
cribed, and thence round Cape Mussendom along Muscat, Oman, to
Bas-el-Iiad, on the Aden line.
119. It was a Kazee or Moollah of Busreh, named Wakab, who
(or whose son), permeating these tribes with the metamorphic agency of
a religious idea, fused them into an aggressive mass, which, cropping out
along the shore lines of Muscat and the western coast of the Persian
Gulf, compelled all these subdued tribes into plunder and piracy. Hence
the once notorious appearance of the maritime Arabs as pirates; hence
our expeditions to the west coast of the Gulf; and hence the Bas-el-
khymas and Beni-Boo-Alis blending with our colors. An Arab Sheikh
endeavoured to explain to me the nature of this unenduring Wahabee
power by likening it to the agency of Lord Clive in conquering India
with a Sepoy army. The leading tenets of Wahabis faith seem to have
been those common to prophets, to proclaim himself and the Unity of
the Creator and kill or plunder his immortal creatures.
120. I confess that during my recent journey to Koweit I was
much impressed by the Arab character; I found in it an aplomb, sound
sense, thoughtfulness, and ready energy, which contrasted favorably with
at least one other oriental people. It is worthy of notice that whatever
the Arabs possess seem to be the best of their kind, their horses, dogs,
poultry, their mules and donkeys, their dates, their coffee, their pearls,
their spices, and their frankincense.
121. They have been called for centuries vindictive, cruel. It is
remarkable, however, that in no country in the world is the brute crea¬
tion so much the friend of man; in no country is there that mutual con¬
fidence between man and beast; nowhere else that I have passed does
the horse, and even the greyhound, seem so thoroughly to comprehend
language addressed to them by man.
122. I crossed the desert when it was in blossom in the spring: the
plain had recently been trampled by the feet of Bedouin Camps, where
every man's hand is against his neighbour; yet even the birds seemed to
welcome me. The lark, rising trustfully just in front of my bridle,
startled the solemn silence of the desert with its happy song, and again
breasting earth, all was still. Anon a little lady of the Finch tribe
would trip along beside me, evidently quite glad of a chance for prettily
chirping the news : pity I could not make out what she said.
123. Meeting these Arabs you readily comprehend how they once
stormed across the world, and you leave them persuaded that they still
possess qualities which may again render them renowned should outward
circumstances favor. I could well understand how the tragic pastoral of
Job was written by an Arab. The originals of the patriarchs were
before you, their life, their manners, and the results of these. I thought
to myself these Pentateuch people cany out the principle of simpilieity
in its integrity; yet I felt also that our present civilizations may have to
return in part to natural sources before humanity can progress towards
perfection.
( 30 )
12k I left the Arabs impressed that their vices and their virtues,
their customs, their manners, and their government have been, in a great
degree, formed by physical and accidental circumstances. A man who
finds himself doomed to live in the Bedouin Desert cannot render his life
similar to that of a man, born of the same original stock, who finds
himself among the natural bounties of Arabia Felix. Perhaps the names
of Adrian and Kahtan, of the earliest recorded times, were only imper¬
sonations of the tribes who wandered for pasturage in the open, and of
the tribes who had settled down to agriculture on some favored spot;
both would naturally trace their origin to some one head, and this
head would receive a name as well as Adam. On the whole, the Arabs,
like most other people I have met, seem to cut their coat very much
according to their cloth. Ubi homines sunly modi suut; and as soil is,
so the mind of man.
125. I beg pardon for tbis seeming digression, hut it is, I think, of
importance from a commercial point of view to bear the character and
country of these Arabs in mind. A tract whose people can suddenly
appear in force on the lines of the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Euphrates,
must be sufficiently numerous and possess qualities to affect markets
along those lines for good or for ill. A country that possesses so many
articles of commerce unequalled in their kind may create an increased
demand and supply in the general markets under European management.
The Arabian, and perhaps other portions of the Gulf coast line, may be
capable of supplying at a profit hides, horns, glue, saltpetre, wool.*
126. The least erroneous notion I can convey of the exterior trade
Vide appended Statements of Exports and Imports to Kuteef and of the Nojd
and from Kuteef, Lahsan, and Bushire. coast line in general is US
Total trade of Kuteef may be annually 50,000 Dollars. per margin.
127. The next port falling under the class of those recognising
Turkish suzerainty, but practically independent, is Koweit, and the his¬
tory of this settlement is, in my opinion, so illustrative of what may be
done in the G ulf by common sense applied to the creation of trade, that
I shall venture to occupy a moment of the Government time with a brief
summary of its history as jotted down in my Diary during my recent
journey from the lips of the present Chief and other Sheikhs of Koweit.
128. The family of the present Sheikh have ruled at Koweit some
five generations, or about 250 years ; for, as these men live to the good old
age of 120 years, their generations are, of course, nearly double ours, or
about 50 years each. Originally the Sheikh's progenitors dwelt in a
small fort, called Moomgussur, situate at the head of the Kore Abdullah,
* r observed both on East Coast Africa, at Magadosha, and Brava, and also to some
extent at Kurrachee, that when the trade came to be opened up by English or Continental
merchants, these articles, especially hides, horns, and wool, were rendered valuable and
demand rapidly increased.
The same remark applies to sesamum seed at Lamoo.
( 31 )
near Bunder Zobeir; they were the pirates of the north of the Persian
Gulf and lower channels of the Shaat-el-Arab; but about 250 years ago
the Busreh authorities attacked and expelled them. The original Sheikh
then came down the Boobian creek with his followers, and debouched on
the bay, at present known as that of Koweifc or Grane. Crossing the
bay, he settled on its southern shore and there erected a Fort or Khote;
Ifenee the name Khote, nr Koweit. The term Grane is rather applied to
the shore line of the entire bay, from its resemblance to the curve formed
by two horns, Keor or Ghern, meaning horn. The settlement was sub¬
sequently increased by the son of the founder, who erected the longer
portion of the present walls, which, however, have since been again
extended along the shore line as the increase of population from time to
time demanded.
129. Perhaps no conjuncture of circumstances could have seemed
less favorable to the creation of a thriving commercial settlement than
the arrival of a band of Arab pirates on a baiTen shore with brackish
water and back-grounded by a series of Bedouins ; yet what is the fact ?
Here is a clean active town, with a broad and open main bazar and
numerous solid stone dwelling-houses stretching along this strand, and
containing some 20,000 inhabitants, attracting Arab and Persian mer¬
chants from all quarters by the equity of its rule and by the freedom of
its trade. It imports from Malabar and Bombay some two lakhs of
rupees value, principally in longcloths, rice, coffee, planks, and spices;
it exports some 800 horses at an average value of Rupees 800 each,
Rupees 40,000 worth in wool, Rupees 60,000 of dates, and perhaps
Rupees 40,000 worth in miscellanies, or say approximately nearly four
lakhs of rupees worth of exports against two and a half lakhs imports.
Of the horses some 600 are shipped direct from Koweit, the remaining
200 from Busreh. The horse dealers of Koweit have their agents among
the Shemma, Anizee, and other Nejd and miscellaneous tribes, collecting
accurate detailed information as to all the pedigrees of horses and as to
all the foals coming on. These agents, towards the commencement of
the Bombay season in July and August, bring down their purchased
horses overland to Koweit, preferring this tedious route, with its cost of
protection by the way, to running the gauntlet of the River Custom
Houses, bad climate of Busreh, and other inconveniences.
130. The sailors of Koweit are highly reputed, and there may be
some 4,000 of them afloat; but Koweit sends to Muscat for boat-builders,
as they are esteemed superior workmen. Among a long row of native
craft of all sizes I observed two small boats made at Cochin.
131. Koweit* sends about 30 boats annually to Bombay, each boat
on an average of 100 tons, containing 2,000 baskets of dates, worth, say,
1,000 French Rials; hence the date export of 30,000 Rials, or 60,000
Rupees. The dates are received or shipped from the Shaat-el-Arab.
* I found English saddles much esteemed among the Arabs at Ivoweit, and it occurred
to me that, if among the presents made by Government in this part of the world to the
Native Chiefs, useful articles like a saddle were included, not only would the receivers benefit
by them, but some want might be created, whose supply would involve subsequent trade.
( 32 )
Horse forage comes in part down the Boobian creek from Bunder Zobeir.
Mutton, which is good, and milk, butter, &c., they receive from the
Bedouins, who flock to the towir and are pitched in tents or huts all
along the outside of its walls: these Bedouins are not allowed to enter
the town armed, but they sell at the gate, where the Chief daily sits and
looks on. Koweit may boast of some 6,000 fighting men within its
walls, but the policy has been to keep the peace *internally and with all
its neighbours; it pays no tribute to the Ameer Fysul, hut maintains
friendly relations with him ; it receives no tribute, customs, or revenue
from any one, save small offerings at the gate, or from merchants,
amounting perhaps to 20,000 Rials per annum, and a complimentary pre¬
sent of dates from Busreh in token of suzerainty and for the supposed
protection of the 'mouths of the Busreh River. The Government is
patriarchal, the Sheikh managing the Political and the Kazee the Judicial
Departments. The Sheikh himself would submit to the Kazee’s decision :
punishment is rarely inflicted.; indeed, there seems little Government
interference anywhere; and little need for any. When my father was
nearly 120 years old, remarked the Sheikh to me, he called me and said,
u I shall soon die. I have made no fortune, and can leave you no
money; but I have made many and true friends, grapple them: while
other States round the Gulf have fallen off from injustice or ill govern¬
ment, mine has gone on increasing. Hold to my policy, and though
you are surrounded by a desert, and pressed on by a once hostile and still
wandering set of tribes, you will flourish.” It is thus under the fostering
care of a succession of common-sense rulers, and by means of a policy
wisely originated and systematically pursued, that an Arab band of
pirates appear as the masters of a thriving port, the refuge of the
oppressed and the peaceful free home of all. I confess that I looked
round with something like amazement at finding such a political and
commercial structure in such a region and the work of such hands.
132. If Arabs can do all this in the remotest corner of the Persian
Gulf, what might not we do if we held its key, gained the confidence of
our neighbours by justice, and forwarded their material interests by the
exercise of those moral qualities and that intellectual superiority which
the civilization of our country bestows on every English gentleman of
common capacity over an Asiatic ?
133. No doubt, much of the prosperity of Koweit may be due to
position and to a comparatively healthy climate: it was in ancient days
the point where the sea trade took to caravans or river carriage; it still
maintains its natural advantages, and, although I would not recommend
the artificial forcing of trade from its present course, I would still keep
an eye on Koweit for future purposes. It is, in my opinion, by no means
impossible that Koweit, under an effective development of the Gulf trade,
would become the terminus for our sea-going steamers, a Coal Station,
and a Telegraph Station. The more you analyze the question, the more
you will probably be struck by the fact that the trade of the East and
West has a marked tendency to resume its old lines under improved means
of transit. Koweit appears to me a preferable port to Busreh for the
same reasons that Kurraehee is preferable to Tatta. The climate of
Busreh is fatal, that of Koweit comparatively good. The water of
( 33 )
Koweit, it is true, is brackish, yet fever is unknown. Dysentery and
ophthalmia are rare; and when men commence begetting new families
at 80 and die at 120, the climate cannot be considered as prematurely
exhausting.
134. The only remedies in use are firing, accompanied by doses of
senna; if a man suffer from indigestion, he is fired in spots round the
navel; if he have ehes*t complaint, he is fired on the back near the
shoulder blade. The sores are kept open for months as issues; and the
efficacy of the treatment is much applauded: their constitutions are
strong however.
135. The prevalent north-wester is tempered from the desert by
blowing over ten miles of bay; yet it does not in that space gain that
muggy relaxing character with which it arrives on the opposite coast at
Bushire. Koweit is always approachable by ships, and affords good and
ample harbourage; Busreh is 70 miles up a river; Koweit has a fine
broad channel of creek water running from its bay up to within 12 miles
of the Busreh point of the river. I landed close alongside the Zobeir
Bunder, in four fathoms; and this was the least water I found in a mid¬
channel of an average width of one mile, from the Koweit end of the
creek up to its head, within sight of the date trees on the Shaat-el-Arab,
near Busreh. ThS cutting of a canal across these twelve miles of flat
soil would be a work of little cost and labor.
136. On the whole, and without endeavouring to change trade from
any present channel, I would bear Koweit in mind as a convenient point
for a Telegraph Station, for a coal depot, for the meeting of sea-going
and river steamers and other craft, and as a possible future port of im¬
portance.
137. I was a little surprised to find the Sheikhs at Koweit well
informed as to distant politics; they took in an Oriental Paris Gazette ;
they admired the generosity of our policy towards Turkey, but wondered
we did not do as much for Christian Greece; they thought 90 millions
sterling a heavy fee for the temporary restoration of an invalid friend.
One white beard said that with States, as with individuals, when their
hour strikes, it is of no use for man to alter the clock. To bind a crum¬
bling Government was like darning a Bedouhris coat too worn-out to be
mended, too rotten to be even washed; it would fall to pieces in spite of
you. They considered our efforts against the slave-trade more humane
than successful; and they thought we might spend the money to better
purpose on our own poor, with whose condition they were unfavorably
impressed, as summarized in the Paris Gazette.*
138. The chief Sheikh was a remarkable man in all respects, as he
sat in the gate, his eyes undimmed by 80 years, and his patriarchal hands
grasping a plated watch of the description commonly known as warming
* One green young Sheikh asked me why we took so much trouble to protect dhows
from piracy, while we ourselves took more dhows than any other tribe ? At this another
Sheikh asked if it were true that I was enquiring into the facts of our recent seizures ?
The old Chief sat silent looking in at his nose with crunched features like the rings round
the gnarl of an olive stump. All evidently awaited an explanation, which I did not accord.
E
( )
pan (l am now sending him a gold watch and chain) ; he never wears
shoes; and his feet seem to have been the original of the Hercules .at
Florence. lie has a voice like a trumpet, stopping every now and again,
with a loud llah, something between that of the patriarch of the lloek
and the sudden blast and pause in a favorite polka; his speech recalls the
large utterance of the early gods; he told me that among the heirlooms
of his family was an injunction, still daily, .religiously observed, to
relieve the stranger; a large dinner, in an allotted hall, is prepared every
evening for all wanderers and strangers who may wish to share it: the
sole restriction is that arms must he left at the gate. Practices like this
may, perhaps, account for much of the peace, good-will, 4ind neighbour¬
hood, and mercantile prosperity of this town. Charity, attraction of
sorrow, relief of actual want,—these are sentiments little thought of;
yet they are, perhaps, beyond all else, unless justice, the keys of personal
power throughout the Fast.
139. The Sheikh said that his family had always been tributary to
Turkey; but I learned from another source that, during some years, they
liad hoisted their own flag; they found, however, that the customs levied
on their exports to Bombay were more inconvenient when levied against
an unrecognized flag’ than when levied against a Turkish craft. Koweit,
shrinking from this foreign pressure, turned to her Sujtan and suddenly
changed color. Truly, trade is sensitive as woman's modesty.
140. Be the suzerainty of the Sublime Porte, however, of old or
recent date, it is merely nominal; the Arabs acknowledge the Turks, as
we do the 39 Articles, which all accept and none remember.
141.
The territory directly
Class No. 7.
under Turkey is that of Busreh; it
does not fall within my charge, nor
on the Gulf shore, unless at one
point not worthy of analysis, Faon.*
One is struck by the extent of the
ruins at Ashureeah, out in the desert,
near Zobeir; but on examining the country it is found that this site was
well chosen as being the last healthy spot, not flooded, and a point the
nearest practicable at once to the Zobeir Bunder, to the land still covered
with a network of hundreds of bunds lying between the Zobeir Creek
and the Busreh Fiver, and to the line of the Shaat-el-Arab itself.
* In my opinion Faon would ill suit our
purposes; its climate and locality amid
delta marshes would render it fatal to
Englishmen.
As to Busreh itself, whose revenues may be as per margin, it
looked to me, when seen from a
house top, like a blending of lloree
and Nuggur Tatta, in Sinde, the
same out skirt of date trees and half-
discarded canals, the same river fring¬
ing, the same irregular tumble-down
piles of mud-brick houses, with a
gleam here and there from a ruined
tesselated minaret or mosque of better
days, the same dirty picturesque
walled in for privacy, yet everywhere
142.
Goods to the value of from Rs. 15 to 20
lakhs from Bombay, in piece goods, pep¬
per, sugar, miscellanies.
Goods to the value of from Rs. 5 to 10
lakhs from Bagdad.
Exports nearly Rs. 40 lakhs worth of
dates of 3 qualities, known as 1st, 2nd, and
3rd sorts.
Customs dues are levied according to a
tariff of from 5 to 10 per cent.; the aver¬
age may be 8 per cent.
children, the same flat roofs,
( 35 )
overlooked, the same wonder how the place ever got half built, and
whether anything was ever new, finished, or repaired!
143. Yet the little creek that leads from the town steps to the
main river, if unwholesome, was still very welcome; the apricot and
almond, in full blossom, hanging bonnily over the hedges, called back
the apple and the cherry tree gladdening the orchard and greeting the
iuadside in a country where these objects were something more to us than
to the passing foreign employe,
144. I may, perhaps, be expected to offer a remark or two upon the
prospects that any extension of the present steam communication through
the Gulf would have. I infer that the present line pays well, and that
the steamers running from Busreh to Bagdad also pay. Having had
occasion to visit Busreh with part of my establishment by the Mail
Steamer, I found her first class accommodation all occupied, and was
glad to be permitted sitting and dining-room in the orlop deck forward.
I calculated that the receipts for that upward trip of twelve days’ steam¬
ing from Bombay to Busreh must have been Rupees 45,000 ; and, from
what I subsequently learned, that her return trip must have brought in
Rupees 30,000.
145. I think that some descriptions of goods would readily avail
themselves of steam communication along this line; such, for instance,
as bales of shawls and other costly packages, also copper and stores : I
further presume that a considerable passenger traffic is waiting, and might
be indefinitely increased by the supply of means. Merchants would
gladly pay a higher passage money to save their time and be in advance
of their coming goods. A wealthy and numerous class of Mahomedans
seek Bagdad, Kerbela, and Nejd for purposes of religion and pleasant
residence. The numbers of this class would doubtless augment were the
ease and rapidity of the journey to become known and appreciated.
146. But my suggestion to any merchants embarking in this enter¬
prise would be to render their arrangements from the first public and
definite, and as convenient as may be to all parties concerned.
147. Let them publish as early as practicable their probable dates
of arrivals and departures, and then adhere to these; if it once becomes
the general notion that the steamer will wait, Oriental traders will
certainly dally, and then either the Company must lose their cargo or
lose their time.
148. Be careful in the selection of Agents, and see that they fulfil
their duty.
149. If it be found that the cargo boats from the shore cannot be
depended on for punctuality or in a breeze, establish independent cargo
boats and include this charge in the Bill of Lading.
150. Let the cargo brought be delivered in good condition.*
# Since writing this I have received an official complaint from the Governor of Bushire
of the nou-delivery of goods and'of the departure of the Steamer for Busreh carrying the
Bushire goods on witli it. A second complaint of the injury sustained by goods while
on board. A third complaint that the steamer gives no notice of departure, and last time
left a passenger who had paid his passage-money. In my opinion, there are faults on both
sides.
( 3(5 )
151. If a promise be made to drop even the lowest class of pas¬
senger at a certain point, let the promise be fulfilled : it is better to lose
a little time in anchoring and to expend a'few extra pounds of coal,
rather than to allow a whisper of breach of contract to find its way
into the interior.
152. If a berth be once regularly secured, never infringe its tenant’s
rights in favor of a more advantageous offer : slick to contract.
153. Adapt the accommodation of the vessels to the description
of passengers frequenting the route. An upstart native will push any¬
where, but there are many Maliomedan gentlemen whose families were
old before England was born, and who yet, partly from modesty, partly
from religious prejudice, and partly from a pardonable reserve, cannot
bring themselves to intrude into the European saloon. Let the best
arrangement practicable be made to accommodate Orientals according to
their class in some other part of the ship.
154. I would suggest to the Government to require from steamers
carrying their mails that punctuality and those rates of speed which are
usually now required from similar steamers on other lines. At present
the dates are named only for Kurracliee and Bombay, and the result is
that, if a Mail Steamer finds herself late at Busrek, she gives up all
thought of reaching Kurrachee in time, loiters for cargo, thus detaining
the Gulf, Bagdad, and Teheran letters, and trusts to some other steamer
taking her place at Kurrachee on the specified day.
155. It is not my duty to speculate on the general opening up of
this route as a main artery of communication between England and
India; but analyzing the map one spontaneously recalls the first lesson
of Geometry that the shortest road between two points is a straight line.
A line drawn from London to a point on the western coast of the Penin¬
sula of India traverses the Persian Gulf. Kurrachee seems to be pointed
out by nature as the place where our English telegraphic cable should
enter our Indian Empire; it would of course be an advantage to have
our Telegraph line identical with our line of trade, and post, and
passengers.
156. In conclusion, His Excellency having directed me to report
on the trade of the Persian Gulf, I have now woven a thread through
these sheets; but I confess at the same time that I write on trade with
much diffidence and some reluctance. The remarks of a non-trader
must be superficial and theoretic. In trade, as h\ other professions,
there can be no real school but experience, acting on original capacity;
and all that an outsider can do of useful is to bring a little grist
to that mill. The principles of Political Economy, mathematically
true in the abstract, may be rendered by circumstances ruinous in
detailed practice. The merchant knows there is no workable law of
commerce, but to watch the market and mistrust general maxims. To
costly experience he must add continued care and forethought; his com¬
binations are not less comprehensive and complex than those of a General.
Like him, too, he must first fight the campaign in his head; and when
( 37 )
the time conies to leave strategy for tactics, fight it over again on the
decisive field of competition. Ruin or fortune hangs on a day; and
when all is done that can be done, that day may still be adverse. A
touch at the other side of the Globe may vibrate through the whole
mass he is dealing with, and disconcert his combinations at the last
hour; and this, I presume, is the reason why the best laid plans of
merchants, as of mice, do still go oft awry,
P.S.—I apologize to the Government for sending in the Office
copy of this Report, but my Clerk really has not time to make a fair
copy of it before the outgoing steamer starts.
( 38 )
Statement of the number of Inhabitants, Vessels, Houses, and Date
Names of Places.
In 1826.
. In 1831.
Increase.
In 1826.
Number of Men.
Number of Women.
Number of Youths and Chil¬
dren of both sexes.
Total.
Number of Men.
Number of Women.
Number of Youths and Chil¬
dren of both sexes'.
Total.
Number of Pearl Boats.
Number of Fishing Boats.
U
.o
00
tf
TS
to
to o
~ *xs
» t
*4
J
£
Number of Boats or Buteels
for Trade.
3
Shaam and Kuleela
250
300
700
1,250
250
300
700
1,250
15
i
15
Ramse
250
300
700
1,250
300
350
1,000
1,650
400
15
...
15
Ras-el-khyma
800
950
2,000
3,750
1,150
1,250
3,000, 6,400
1,650
*10
15
, 5
15
.45
Jazirat-ool-hamrah
400
600
1,600
2*600
650
850
2,600
, 4,100
1,500
i 15
101 ...
8
33
Amulgavine
400
500
1,450
2,350
750
900
2,900
4,550
2,200: 15
15
8
r38
Ejmaun
500
650
1,800
2,950
650
850
2,600 4,100
1,150
30
20
15
65
Ileera
100
150
500
750
250
300
900
1,450
700
l 10
5
4
19
Shargah and Fasht
1,700
1,800
4,000
7,500
2,500
2,600
8,800 13,900
6,400
• 160
67
301
Khan
...
...
150
| 200
400
j 750
750 ...
| 77
...
|... '
Total ...
4,400
6,250
12,750
22,400
6,650
j 7,600
J 22,900j 37,150
14,750
j 240
, 172! 6
1 l
117, 03.4
Note.—The reason of the number of houses exceeding the total of male inhabitants is, that only the
come in from the interior, and remain four or five months in the towns. Many of these indivi
List of detailed
Statements of Imports and Expo
*ift
1. Imports into Bushire from England,
2. Exports from Bushire to England.
3. Imports into Bushire from Mauritius.
4. Exports from Bushire to Mauritius.
6.Imports into Bushire from India via Bombay.
6. Exports from Bushire to India via Bombay.
7. Imports into Bushire from Java.
8. Exports from Bushire to Java.
9.Imports into Bushire from Aden and Jedda.
10. Exports from Bushire to Aden and Jedda.
11. Imports into Bushire from Kurrachee.
12. Exports from Bushire to Kurrachee.
13. Imports into Bushire from Muscat.
14. Exports from Bushire to Muscat.
15. Imports into Bushire from Bunder Abbass.
16. Exports from Bushire to Bunder Abbass.
British Residency,
Bushire,
The 13th April 1863.
( 39 )
trees of the Joasmee Ports in 1826 contrasted with the same in 1831.
fixed residents are enumerated in this list; hut at certain times of the year great numbers of the Bedouins
duals have fixed places of residence, which they do not remove when they take their departure.
at Bushire, enclosed m No. 67 of 1863, P. B.
* 17. Imports into Bushire from ports on the Persian
Coast.
18. Exports from Bushire to ports on the Persian
Coast.
19. Imports into Bushire from ports on the Oman
Coast.
20. Exports from Bushire to ports on the Oman
Coast.
28. Exports from
21. Imports into Bushire from Bahrein.
22. Exports from Bushire to Bahrein.
23. Imports into Bushire from Kuteef and Lahsan.
24. Exports from Bushire to Kuteef and Lahsan.
25. Imports into Bushire from Koweit.
26. Exports from Bushire to Koweit.
27. Imports into Bushire from Busreh.
ishire to Busreh.
(Sd.) Lewis Pelly, Lieut .-Col
Acting Political Resident a7id Consul-
General, Persian Gulf
Approximate Annual Imports hj Sea from England, to Bushire, present and future.
Approximate present Annual Imports.
Approximate future Annual Imports.
Bemarks as to cause of in¬
Value
in Bombay
Bs.
Duty
in Bombay
Bs.
Article.'
Quantity in Ta-
breez Maunds.
i
Article.
Quantity.
Value.
crease or decrease.
Crushed sugar
50,000
87,500
1,000 )
Future importations depend much
Loaf sugar
16,000
40,000
' 640 J
upon the state of the Persian
market for sugars.
Flint stones ...
Cotton goods of all descrip¬
400 Cases.
10,000
Free,
This article is brought for the use of
the Persian Government.
tions
2,00,000
10,000
Should cotton goods continue to com¬
mand the present high prices in
England, future importation will
not be so large.
Guns, pistols, gold and silver
watches and chain ...
10,000
Watches are imported free,
Future importations depend upon the
but duty at £ Bombay
Rupees is levied upon
every ease of guns or pis¬
tols, whether the case con¬
demand there may be.
English iron ...
tains one or more of them.
14,000 Tabreez
5,000
300
This article was re-exported to Bus-
Maunds.
sorah, the consumption of it in this
place being very small. Swedish
\
iron is much consumed in Persia.
Approximate Annual Exports by Sea from Bushire to England, present and future.
Approximate present Annual Exports.
Approximate future Annual Exports.
Bemarks as to cause of increase or decrease.
Article.
Quantity in Ta¬
breez Maunds.
Value in Bombay
Bupees.
Article,
Quantity.
Value.
Wheat
64,000
11,000
This quantity was ready and about to be shipped for
England on account of an English Mercantile
House in themontnof February NM per English
Barque the Laritna, Captain lladdcti, when the
local authorities prohibited its exportation.
Approximate Annual Imports hj Sea from the Mauritius to Bushire, present ancl future. Blank Statement.
Remarks.—Mauritius sugars are not cheap enough for this market. Vessels from Mauritius come on ballast.
Approximate Annual Exports ly Sea from Bushire to the Mauritius, present and future.
Approximate present Annual Exports.
Approximate future Annual Exports.
Remarks as to cause of in¬
crease or decrease.
Article.
Quantity
in Tabreez
Maunds.
Value in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Article.
Quantity.
Value.
Wheat
Dates
Tallow
Ghee
Grain
Raisins
Cummin seeds
Almonds
Mules
Asses
Horses (common)
Sheep
480,000
96,000
10,000
10,000
40,000
10,000
5,000
3,000
300
100
100
300
72,000
12,000
10,000
20,000
10,000
2.500
3,000
1.500
35,000
2.500
10,000
750
The export trade with Mauritius is never regularly carried on; it would, however, be much enlarged if traders were not subjected to
great inconveniences by the Governors of Bushire placing sudden embargo on the exportation of wheat. Should merchants be able to trade with
Mauritius without any let or hindrance from the local authorities, the above articles would form the annual exportation from this place for the
first lew years, with a fair prospect of gradual increase. English merchants and others sometimes engage in the trade, but there have been no
exportations this year.
Approximate Annual Imports by Sea from India via Bombay to Bushire} present and future.
Appeoximate peesentSAnneal Imposts.
" Appeoximate
peteee Anneal Impoets.
Bemarks as to
cause of in¬
crease or de¬
crease.
Article.
Quantity.^
Value in
Bombay
Bupees.
Article.
Quantity^
Value in
Bombay
Bupees.
Amount of
duty levied
in Bombay
Bupees.
Cashmere shawls ...
10,000 Pieces.
15,00,000
Cashmere shawls ...
10,000 Pieces.
15,00,000
13,600
Copper
60,000 Mds.
3,00,000
Copper ...
60,000 Mds.
3,00,000
Not known.
Piece goods, Europe
6,00,000
Piece goods, Europe
6,00,000
30,000
Sugar
200,000 Mds.
2,00,000
Sugar
200,000 Mds.
2,00,000
2,000
Tea .
' 2,500 Boxes.
1,00,000
Tea
2,500 Boxes.
1,00,000
2,000
Gold cloth
75,000
Goldcloth
75,000
Tins, pigs of
14,000 Mds.
70,000
Pigs of tin
14,000 Mds.
70,000
500
Spices
50,000
Spices
60,000
Pepper *
60,000 Mds.
50,000
Pepper
50,000 Mds.
60,000
1,250
Sugarcandy
25,000 „
50,000
Sugarcandy
25,000 „
60,000
1,000
'Coffee
20,000 „
40,000
Coffee
20,000 „
40,000
350
Yarn
40,000
Yarn
40,000
1,200
Blackwood * •
120,000 Mds.
30,000
Blackwood
120,000 Mds.
30,000
Pree.
Iron
13,600 „
10,000
Iron
13,500 „
10,000
250
Cocoanut oil
1,140 „
2,000
Cocoanut oil
1,140 „
2,000
Pree.
Preserves, chiefly ginger ...
300 Boxes.
5,000
Preserves, chiefly ginger...
300 Boxes.
6,000
75
Wax, sealing
1,000
Wax, sealing
1,000
Wax, candles
350 Mds.
2,000
Wax, candles ... ...
350 Mds.
2,000
20
P lints, gun
6,000
Plints, gun
6,000
Pree.
Bead
7,000 Mds.
7,000
Lead
7,000 Mds.
7,000
•140
Tin, sheets
5,000
Tin, sheets
5,000
Paper and stationery
2,000
Paper and stationery
2,000
100
Leather
4,000
Leather ...
. 4,000
150
Camphor
2,000
Camphor ... ...
2,000
20
Wood, Brazil
4,000
Wood, Brazil
4000
Drugs
7,000
Drugs ... ...
7,000
Steel
3,000
Steel
3,000
80
Glassware ...
t
7,000
Glassware
7,000
Zinc
4,000
Zinc
4,000
Quicksilver
4,000
Quicksilver
4,000
Sal Ammoniac
2,400 Mds.
6,000
Sal Ammoniac
2,400 Mds.
6,000
125
Indigo
100 Boxes.
1,00,000
Indigo
100 Boxes.
1,00,000
7vr T? T4- 1 r j ■*»•**
Approximate Annual Exports by Sea from BusTiire to India via Bombay, present and future.
Appboximate pbesent Annual Expobts.
Appboximate eutube Annual Expobts.
*
Remarks as to cause of increase
or decrease.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay
Rupees.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay
Rupees.
Duty in
Bombay
Rupees.
Cotton ...
250,000
7,00,000
Cotton ...
500,000
14,00,000
2,500
The increase is expected from
the continuance of the Civil War
in America. •
Madder root
100,000
55,000
Madder root
100,000
55,000
1,000
Raw silk
10,000
5,00,000
Raw silk
10,000
5,00,000
500
Gall nuts
7,000
28,000
Gall nuts
7,000
28,000
70
Almonds...
50,000
25,000
Almonds
50,000
25,000
500
Raisins ...
40,000
20,000
Raisins ...
40,000
20,000
400
Rose water, carboys.
10,000
12,500
Rose water in carboys
10,000
12,500
600
Ditto in flasks.
10,000
2,500
Ditto in flasks..
10,000
2,500
50
Asafcetida
6,000
20,000
Asafcetida
6,000
20,000
240
Saleb ,
1,200
6,000
Saleb
1,200
6,000
60
Gum, Persia
25,000
10,000
Gum, Persia
25,000
10,000
250
Wool
100,000
1,50,000
Wool ...
> 100,000
1,50,000
1,000
-
Wheat ...
300,000
45,000
7,600
Wheat is not usually exported
to Bombay; the present export¬
*
ation was owing to a rise in price
in the Bombay market.
Ghasp dates, baskets.
- 20,000
40,000
Ghasp dates, baskets.
20,000
40,000
200
Cummin seeds
4,000
2,500
40
This article is seldom exported
to Bombay; the present export¬
*
1
ation has been owing to a demand
v
in the Bombay market.
Carpets, different
2,500
Carpets, different
2,500
50
qualities.
qualities.
Wine, carboys
200
1,000
Wine, carboys ...
^ - 200
1,000
100
Approximate Annual Imports ly Sea from Java to Busiire, present and future.
Approximate present Annual Imports.
â–  Approximate euture Annual Imports. "
Eemarks as to cause of increase or decrease.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez
Maunds.
Yalue in Co/s
Eupees.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez
Maunds.
Yalue in Co/s
Eupees.
Amount of
duty leviable
in Eupees.
Sugar
13,60,000
17,00,000
Sugar ...
9,00,000
11,25,000
21,600
The expected decrease will be owing to tbe
Persian market being overstocked with an
unusual quantity of loaf sugar; some
eighteen thousand cases or about 360,000
Tabreez Maunds brought into Persia via
Trebizond.
Cassia ,,,
8,500
8,500
Cassia ,.,
8,500
8,500
150
It is probable that the importation of this
article will increase next year owing to its
being preferred in Persia to the Indian or
any other.
Coffee
3,400
8,500
68
The importation of next year will depend
entirely upon the state of the Persian
market and the prices ruling in India, whence
large quantities are usually imported.
Eum, cases...
300
2,250
Bum
None.
*
No demand owing to the absence of the
Persian Gulf Squadron ; a few years back
the importation was much larger.
Tin
None.
This article was formerly imported in large
quantities, but the high prices in Java have
stopped importation.
Approximate Annual Exports ly Sea from Bushire to Java, present and future.
Approximate present Anneal Exports.
Approximate eutere Anneal Exports.
A
*
Article,
Quantity
in Tabreez
ALaunds.
Yalue in
Co/s
Bupees.
Article.
Quantity
in Tabreez
Alaunds.
Yalue in
Co/s
Bupees.
Amount of
duty leviable
in Bombay
, Bupees.
Bemarks as to cause of increase
or decrease.
Wheat ...
850,000
1,27,500
Wheat ...
510,000
76,500
12,000
The expected decrease will be owing in a
great measure to want of confidence in
the Bushire Government, which will pre¬
vent merchants from storing grain for
fear of a prohibition.
Cummin seeds
85,000
21,875
Cummin seeds
10,000
6,250
350
The decrease is apprehended from the
unpromising state of the cultivation
Bees* wax
4,000
30,000
Bees’ wax
4,000
30,000
60
and want of demand in the Java market.
Gram
5,000
1,250
Gram ...
5,000
1,250
50
Baisins ...
16,000
8,000
Baisins...
16,000
8,000
160
Bose water, flasks
10,000
2,500
Bose water, flasks ...
10,000
2,500
50
Almonds...
8,000
5,000
Almonds
8,000
5,000
80
Black seeds
8,000
5,000
Black seeds
16,000
10,000
80
The increase is expected from an extension
of the cultivation this year in Shiraz
Opium ...
8,000
4,00,000
Opium ...
8,000 •
4,00,000
2,800
and Cazroon.
Gall nuts
8,000
12,000
Gall nuts
3,000
12,000
30
Ghee ,.. • ...
The present annual exportation is very
small owing to the dearness of the article
here, but in good years it sometimes
amounts to 20,000 maunds, valued at
Bombay Rupees 30,000.
Dry fruit
The annual exportation varies from 4,000
to 12,000 boxes, valued at Bombay Rupees
Dates
2,000 @ 6,000.
About 30,000 baskets Bussorah and 3,000
baskets Lahsan are annually re-exported
hence to Java, whereof value amounts
to 1,00,000 Bombay Rupees, and duty
Rupees 330,
Approximate Annual Imports by Sea from Aden and Jedda to BusMre, present and future.
Approximate present Anneal Imports.
Approximate eetere Anneal Imports.
Remarks as to
cause of in¬
crease or de¬
crease.
Article. *
Quantity in Ta¬
breez Maunds,
Yalue in
Bombay
Bupees.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez •
Maunds.
Yalue in
Bombay
Bupees.
Amount levi¬
ed as duty
at Busbire
in Bombay
Bupees.
Nothing is imported from Aden
Osta Ghoddos (drug)
2,000
3,000
Osta Gboddos
2,000
3,000
20
From Jedda.
Senna leaves
4,000
1,000
Senna leaves
4,000
1,000
120
From Jedda and
Cassia ...
4,000
4,000
Cassia ...
4,000
4,000
40
Hodeida.
From Hodeida.
Lime juice, carboys
200
400
Lime juice, carboys ...
200
400
20
Ditto ditto.
Egyptian loaf sugar
2,400
6,000
Egyptian loaf sugar
2,400
6,000
80
Ditto ditto.
Approximate Annual Exports by Sea from ‘BusMre to Aden and Jedda, present and future.
Approximate present Anneal Exports.
Approximate fetere Anneal Exports.
Remarks as to
cause of in¬
crease or de¬
crease.
Article.
Quantity in Ta¬
breez Maunds.
Yalue in
Bombay
Bs.
Article.
Quantity in Ta¬
breez Maunds.
Yalue in
Bombay
Bupees.
Amount levi¬
able in Bom¬
bay Bupees
as duty.
Tobacco
28,000
17,500
Tobacco...
28,000
17,500
650
To Aden.
Bose water, carboys
600
625
Bose water, carboys ,.,
500
625
60
Ditto.
Wheat
32,000
4,800
Wheat ...
32,000
4,800
800
Ditto.
Carpets
2,600 Pieces.
25,000
Carpets...
2,600 Pieces.
25,000
500
To Jedda.
Wheat
8,000 T. Mds.
1,200
Wheat ...
8,000 T. Mds.
1,200
200
Ditto.
Tobacco
7,000
4,375
Tobacco..,
7,000
4,375
137|
To Mooha.
Approximate Annual Imports ly Sea from Kurrachee to Bushire} present and future.
Approximate present Annual Imports.
Article.
Quantity in Ta~
breez Maunds.
Yalue in Bombay
Rupees.
Approximate future Annual Imports.
Article.
Quantity.
Yalue.
Remarks as to cause of
« increase or decrease.
Lamp oil
2,400
3,600
Lamp oil
2,400
3,600
Duty-free.
Approximate Annual Exports ly Sea from Bushire to Kurracheei present and future.—None.—Blank Statement.
Approximate Annual Imports ly Sea from Muscat to BusJdre, present and future.
Approximate present Annual Imposts,
Approximate future Annual Imports.
Eemarks as to cause of in¬
crease or decrease.
Article,
Quantity in
Tabreez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay
Es.
0
Article.
Quantity in
Tambreez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay
Es.
Amount of
duty leviable
in Bomby
Eupees.
Mat bags (Kafat)
200,000
40,000
Mat bags (Kafat)
200,000 !
40,000
1,600
Empty rice gunny bags ...
200,000
35,000
Empty rice gunny bags .,.
200,000
‘35,000
700
Coffee
4,000
10,000
Coffee
6,000
15,000
60
It is expected to be cheaper next year.
Pepper
4,000
5,500
Pepper
4,000
5,500
100
Bengal sugar
28,000
31,500
Bengal sugar
28,000
31,500
250
Turmeric
4,000
3,000
Turmeric
4,000
3,000
80
Sugarcandy ...
800
1,600
Sugarcandy ...
800
1,600
32
Swedish iron ...
4,800
3,600
Swedish iron
4,800
3,600
72
Steel
50p
500
Steel
500
500
10
Hides of all kinds
6,00 a
3,000
Hides of all kinds
6,000
3,000
150
Tin
1,000
5,000
Tin
1,000
5,000
140
Cardamoms ...
150
3,000
Cardamoms ...
150
3,000
20
Dry lemon
20,000
25,000
Dry lemon ...
20,000
25,000
200
Fathanee (Cutch leather) ...
8,000
12,000
Eathanee (Cutch leather)...
8,000
12,000
120
Chundles (rafters)
4,000
400
Chundles (rafters)
4,000
400
Eree.
doves
Lamp oil (Cutch manufac¬
Lamp oil (Cutch manu¬
Free.
This article was largely imported
some years ago, but the importation
has gradually decreased, so that
there has been none imported this
year owing to its having got out of
use in Persia. About 40 years ago
cloves were worth 40 Kraus the
Tabreez maund, and at present only
2£ Kraus.
ture)
Janpoor indigo (Sind ma¬
'5,000
6,500
facture)
Janpoor indigo (Sind ma¬
5,000
6,500
nufacture ...
4,000
40,000
nufacture)...
4,000
40,000
800
Approximate Annual Exports ly Sea from Bushire to Muscat, present and future.
APPROXIMATE PRESENT ANNUAL EXPORTS.
Approximate etjtube Annual Expobts.
Remarks as to cause of
increase or decrease.
Article.
Quantity
in Tabreez
Maunds.
Yalue in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Article.
Quantity
in Tabreez
Maunds.
Yalue in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Amount of
duty leviable
in Bombay Rs.
Opium ...
Wheat ...
Raw silk
Ghee
Rose water, carboys
Cummin seeds ... ... *
1,000
80,000
1,000
3,000
4,000
8,000
30,000
12,000
50,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
Opium
Wheat
Raw silk
Ghee
Rose water, carboys
Cummin seeds
1,000
80,000
1,000
3,000
4,000
8,000
30,000
12,000
50,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
360
2,000
50
45
400
120
/
\
Approximate Annual Imports ly Sea from Bunder Allass to Bushire, present and future.
Approximate present Annual Imports.
Approximate future
Annual Imports.
Remarks as to cause
of increase or de¬
crease.
Article.
Quantity
in Tabreez
Maunds.
Yalue in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Article.
' Quantity
in Tabreez
Maunds.
Yalue in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Amount of
duty levied in
Bombay Rs.
Grind stones
Henna leaves
Minao indigo
150 Pairs.
1,000 T. Mds.
1,600 „
200
500
11,200
Grindstones
Henna leaves
Minao indigo
150 Pairs.
1,000 T. Mds.
1,600 „
200
500
11,200
Pree.
16
Uncertain.
A large quantity of Minao indigo goes to Yezd through Bunder Abbass, to the detriment of the Indian indigo: its being cheaper it is preferred by the dyers.
Approximate Annual Exports ly Sea from Bushire to Bunder Allass, present and future.—None,—Blank Statement,
Approximate Annual Imports by Seafront Ports on the Persian Coast (not Bunder Abbass) to Bushire, present and future*
Approximate present Annual Imports.
Approximate future Annual Imports.
Bemarks as to cause of
increase or decrease.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay Bs.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay Bs.
Amount of
duty paid in
Bushire in Bs.
Pepper
5,000
6,250
Pepper
5,000
6,250
120
Coffee
3,600
7,200
Coffee . #
3,600
7,200
60
Cotton piece goods (English)
8,000
Cotton piece goods
8,000
400
â–º From Linga.
(English)
Tobacco
2,800 •
1,750
Tobacco
2,800
1,750
65
Ditto
2,800
1,750
Ditto
2,800
1,750
55
From Assaloo.
Ditto
7,000
4,375
Ditto
7,000
4,375
137|
From Taharee.
Firewood...
12,80,000
36,000
Firewood
12,80,000
36,000
2,000
From Taharee, Charek,
and Ghoran.
Salt
8,000
150
Salt ...
8,000
150
Free.
From Khelat.
Approximate Annual Exports by Sea from Bushire to Ports on the Persian Coast (not Bunder Abbass) ,present and future.
Approximate present Annual Exports.
Approximate future Annual Exports.
Bemarks as to cause of
increase or decrease.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabieez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay Bs.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay Bs.
Amount of
duty levied at
Bombay Bs.
Wheat
80,000
12,000
Wheat
80,000
12,000
2,000
To Linga.
Barley
' 48,000
4,500
Barley
48,000
4,500
1,200
Ditto.
Tallow
1,600
2,000
Tallow
1,600
. 2,000
27J
Ditto.
Myrtle leaves.,,
4,800
750
Myrtle leaves
4,800
750
120
Ditto.
Hardly anything is exported from Bushire to other ports on the Persian Coast.
Approximate Annual Imports by Sea from Ports on the Oman Coast to Bushire} present and future.
Approximate present Annual Imports.
Approximate future Annual Imports.
Remarks as to cause of
increase or decrease.
Article.
Quantity
in Tabreez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay
Bupees.
Article.
Quantity
in Tabreez
Maunds.
Value in
Bombay
Rupees.
Amount of
duty levied
at Bushire
Bupees.
Dry lemons
\
9,000
11,250
*
—
•
Dry lemons
9,000
11,250
80
From Sohar.
Approximate Annual Exports by Sea from Bushire to Ports on the Oman Coast} present and future*—None.—Blank Statement.
Approximate Annual Imports by Sea from Bahrein to Bushire, present and future.
Approximate present Anneal Imports.
Approximate petere Anneal Imports.
Remarks as to
cause of increase
or decrease.
Article.
Quantity in Ta-
breez Maunds.
Value in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Article.
Quantity in Ta-
breez Maunds.
Value in Bom-1
bay Rupees.
Amount of duty
leviable in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Empty rice gunny bags
20,000 Pieces.
3,500
Empty rice gunny bags
20,000
3,500
35
Madda mats
10,000 „
7,500
Madda mats...
10,000
7,500
37J *
Juddoo ...
5,000 „
1,250
Juddoo
5,000
1,250
621
Date sticks (Gorz) ...
200 Bdls.
80
Date sticks (Gorz) ...
200 Bdls.
80
4
Khullas dates ...
2,000 Baskets.
4,000
Kbullas dates
2,000 Baskets.
4,000
20
Syrup of date . ...,
3,200 T.Mds.
* 1,200
Syrup of date
3,200 T. Mds.
1,200
40
Canvass (Bahrein ma¬
400 „
2,000
Canvass (Bahrein ma¬
400 „
2,000
Free.
nufacture).
nufacture).
Pearls ...
1,00,000
Pearls
*
1,00,000
Ditto.
Approximate Annual Exports by Sea from Bushire to Bahrein, present and future.
Approximate present Anneal Expoets.
Appboximate petube Anneal Exports.
'Remarks as to cause
Article.
Quantity in Ta- Value in Bom-
breez Maunds. J bay Rupees.
Article.
i
Quantity in Ta-
breez Maunds.
Value in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Amount of duty
leviable in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
of increase or de¬
crease.
Tobacco ...
28,000
17,500
Tobacco
28,000
17,500
550
Madder root
8,000
5,000
Madder root
8,000
5,000
110
Cotton ...
12,000
36,000
Cotton
12,000
36,000
165
Ahlook (nuts)
800
200
Ablook (nuts)
800
200
40
Nokhod (gram)
800
200
Rokhod (gram)
800
200
40
Jafth (dye)
3,200
800
Jafth (dye)
3,200
800
20
Sugar ...
500
625
Sugar
500
625
2?
Approximate Annual Imports by Sea from Kateef and Lahsa to Bushire, present and future.
Approximate present Annual Imports.
Approximate future Annual Imports.
Remarks as to
cause of increase
or decrease.
Article.
Quantity in Ta*
breez Maunds.
Yalue in
Bombay ,
Rupees. ,
Article.
Quantity in Ta-
breez Maunds.
Yalue in
Bombay
Rupees.
Amount of
duty levied
in Bushire.
Dates (Khunazee)
Juddoo
Date sticks (Gorz)
Ghel (Washmud)
Madda mats ...
Dates (Khullass)
Black Ghelan Abba (cloak)
1,000 Baskets.
3,000 Pieces.
2,000 Bundles.
50,000 T. Mds.
3,000 Pieces.
50,000 T. Mds.
200
1,000
750
500
1,000
2,500
12,500
2,000
Dates (Kbunazee)
Juddoo
Date sticks (Gorz)
Gbel (Wasbmud)
Madda mats...
Dates (Khullass)
Black Ghellan Abba (cloak)
1,000 Baskets.
3,000 Pieces.
2,000 Bundles.
60,000 T. Mds.
3,000 Pieces.
60,000
200
1,000
750
500
1,000
2,500
12,500
2,000
5
37*-
20
40
100
50
50
Prom Kateef.
Ditto ditto.
Ditto ditto.
Ditto ditto.
Ditto ditto.
Prom. Lahsa.
Ditto ditto.
Approximate Annual Exports by Sea from Bushire to Kateef and Lahsa, present and future.
Approximate present Annual Exports.
Approximate future Annual Exports.
Remarks as to
cause of increase
or decrease.
Article. *
Quantity in Ta«
breez Maunds.
Yalue
in Bombay
Rs.
Article*
Quantity in Ta-
breez Maunds.
Yalue
in Bombay
Rs.
Amount of
duty levied
in Bushire.
Silk thread, untwisted
Carpets, different sorts
"Wheat
Tobacco
100
250
32,000 •
7,000
7.500
2.500
4,800
4,375
Silk thread, untwisted ...
Carpets, different sorts ,..
Wheat
Tobacco
100
250
32,000
7,000
7.500
2.500
4,800
4,375
5
75
800
137i
| To Lahsa.
I To Kateef.
Approximate Annual Imports from Sea into Bushire from Koweit,present and, future.
Appboximate pbesent Annual Imposts.
Appboximate futube Annual Imposts.
Remarks as to cause of
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez Maunds.
Value in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez Maunds.
Value in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Amount of duty
leviable in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
increase or decrease.
Coffee (Malabar) ...
4,000
8,000
Coffee...
4,000
8,000
60
Pepper ditto
Cotton piece goods
5,000
6,250
Pepper
5,000
6,250
120
(English)
1,500 Pieces.
18,000
Cotton piece goods
(English)
1,500 Pieces.
18,000
750
Approximate Annual Exports by Sea from Bushire to Koweit} present and future.
Appboximate peesent Annual Expobts.
Appboximate futube Annual Expobts.
Remarks as to cause of
increase or decrease.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez Maunds.
Value in
Rupees.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez Maunds.
Value in
Rupees.
Amount of duty
leviable in
Rupees.
Tobaeoo ...
14,000
8,750
Tobacco...
14,000
8,750
275
Madder root
2,000
1,250
Madder root
2,000
1,250
27£
Ahlook (nuts)
3,000
750
Ahlook (nuts)
3,000
750
20
Nokhod (grain)
3,000
750
Nokhod (gram) ...
3,000
750
20
Carpets, different sorts
500 Pieces.
5,000
Carpets, different
sorts ...
600 Pieces.
5,000
150
Approximate Annual Exports ly Sea from Bushire to Busrehy present and future,
Approximate present Annual Exports.
Approximate future Annual Exports.
Remarks as to cause
of future increase or
decrease.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez Maunds.
Value in
Rupees.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez Maunds.
Value in
Rupees.
Amount of duty
leviable in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Eice
8,000
3,000
Eice
8,000
3,000
200
Madder root
40,000
25,000
Madder root
40,000
25,000
550
Tobacco
35,000
22,000
Tobacco
35,000
22,000
560
Sugar (Bengal) ..,,
14,000
10,500
Sugar (Bengal) ...
14,000
10,500
125
Do. (Java)
14,000
10,500
Do. (Java)
14,000
10,500
108
English iron
6,000
3,000
English iron
6,000
3,000
60
Approximate Annual Imports ly Sea into Bushire from Busreh} present and future.
Approximate present Annual Imports.
Approximate future
Annual Imports.
Remarks as to cause of
future increase or
decrease.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez Maunds.
Value in
Rupees.
Article.
Quantity in
Tabreez Maunds.
Value in
Rupees.
Amount of duty
leviable in Bom¬
bay Rupees.
Dates, baskets
20,000
50,000
Dates, baskets
20,000
50,000
200
Kidney beans
3,000
750
Kidney beans
3,000
750
60
Date syrup
3,200
1,200
Date syrup
3,200
1,200
80
Reed mats (Booria)..
50,000
12,500
Reed mats (Booria).
50,000
12,500
Eree.
Ox
Ox
(merahs
°Zoiair
SKETCH
<>^' 'it Ahocl S/iak
Delicrrv
OF THE
GULF of PERSIA
lo nawe)i
dictions enumerated
seven Classes of Jans.
It? 67 ot J3*April
'JtoJidZcv
cQOrmuq
<t2\'akhee<
S
V eke.
ELK ATIFF
JJUrQjfGLfUfQCot Capt +ai.
the, WaAcclees) 2'ke- prestn.
7t<zeas -yy/iert ike,j4m&er j.
os 7?£cw Di&rcoyaJo
• <^/>e ZHlussuijoIo.
foomjcO
rSkttfuiy
fp,*j:-iid^a.vK>4_n.) f
O / {
*1, Jrrmea
Out,post a/trie
) â– M~e.ycL CoujiZr Y
CpAV oothaTbee ,/C
LtTHO; nM THE OFFICE OF THE QUARTER M* C-ENU IsOtViKAY ARMY POONA FESRUA.&Y 1874