Report No.67 of 1863 detailing the tribes, trades and resources of the Gulf Littoral [‎2r] (3/58)

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 Uindeean (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 sheep, but not for cattle. I was informed, however, that in
ordinary seasons, the grass is above a horses 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
fortunate to collect some of inferior quality at Dorack; and carry it not only to
the Hindeean, but to Bunder Dill am.
13. Hindeean is one of two entrepots (the other being Dillum) for the
Behbehan line of Trade. At the town of Hindeean the river is unfordable; I
found no^ ferry-boat,^ and was lucky in getting my baggage across in a chance
Bugla Large trading vessel. , lying in the river. The Hindeean is navigable for light boats and canoes
to within a short distance of Behbehan. Zeitoon, formerly Zeidoon, is a central
point higher up the stream, and distant 10 fursacs from Hindeean, where trade
from Hindeean and Dillum converges. Goods go up by land, passing to Deh
Moollah, then Arab, and then Zeitoon. These three marches are level;—but the
fourth and last march of 5 or 6 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 hundred
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, sulphurouslooking 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 com
ing finally down to within 3 or 4 miles of the sea., until you reach the narrowest
neck, at the frontier village of Sheikh Abool Sheikh of the Cbaabs; 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 Imam 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 and law.
16- I subjoin a statement of the principal Chaab Tribes: but the numbers of
their fighting men are I think overstated.
Alboogbesh Chief Moraid 6,000 grown men Boozeeah their principal Town.
Asarkeerah ,, Zair Kraidee ... 4,000 ,, Oushar near Boozeeah.
Mukasebah ,, Saadoon 2,500 ,, Anayetee more S. &. E.
Albooalee ,,Saadoon 2,500 ,, On a creek no name.
Sowayhat „ Showash 2,500 „ do. do.
Aimukhndum,, Shureeb 4,500 ,, Khoot near Dorack.
* N ote .—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 Knbbers, or Poojah
places &c., have since been confirmed as shrines or places of Pilgrimage by both Soonees and Sheeahs.
W hereas 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 be resorted to by the old infidels, and by
the Mahomedan invaders and their converts.
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