Report No.67 of 1863 detailing the tribes, trades and resources of the Gulf Littoral [‎4v] (8/58)

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43. To the South of the Geramha ruins, lies the bed of a once abundant
river, the Kuleel. It passed close 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 Kvileel is now a saltwater creek. An earth-
quake 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 com
parative desolation of the Genaweh plain. I picked up some 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 destroying art. The quickest destroyer of men, is
man.
44. Bunder Reigh is very inferior in size and importance to Deelum. It
imports only for its own wants; and'for those of its neighbourhood. It is not a
port for any route to the interior. Its trade may be somewhat as below:—
Exports.
Wheat and Barley 20,000 Krans worth.
"W^ool 10,000 Ditto.
Imports.
100 Karehs of Dates and Piece goods to the value of 10,000 Krans; also a few
miscellaneous articles for home consumption.
The gross of the Customs may be 10,000 Krans.
45. To the South of Bunder Reigh, and immediately North of Bushire
creek, lies a flat, corn-growing circle of some ten Arab villages, known as liohilla
indeed, it may be remarked that, coming southward from the Chaab territories,
the plain, there wholly pastoral, becomes gradually patched with corn, until,
towards Eohilla, large breadths are found under the plough. A fresh waterstream,
fordable only in one or two places, runs through this district which, none the less,
depends solely on rain. It is traditioned that, this Rood-hulla, or Hulla river,
received a portion of the waters, turned by the earthquake, from the Kuleel river
of Genaweh: the remainder of that stream having burst northward, towards
Behbehan; and found exits in the Hindeean (Ah Sheereen); in an affluent ol
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 3 miles from the nearest
hamlet in this circle. The cornj of these districts, being dependent upon uncertain
and scant rain fall, is sparely sown, broad cast; and carelessly ploughed in with
the old scratch. But there is little doubt that, under proper management of water,
and free of restriction 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 dili
gence, by Mr. James Edwards, the Head Accountant in this Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. . These
statements^ may form a rough index to the general character of the trade of the
| These districts rear a good half-bred diseription 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 roadstirs than the pure
Arab. But they lack his quietness, intelligence and endurance. By recrossing the Eohilla Chaab with a
pure Arab it is found that a good looking and serviceable horse of large bone and height is obtained. But
on the whole no cross is a satisfactory animal. And he is never so gentlemanly whether in manners or
appearance as the real Hamadanee Saglair, Khaltan, or Anezee.
1 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 es
tablished 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.
* Called Gopals.
They are picked up
in other places
along the Coast.