Report No.67 of 1863 detailing the tribes, trades and resources of the Gulf Littoral [‎3r] (5/58)

feud witli his old Chief. When I Avas at Dorack, both Sheikhs had been called
before the Prince Governor A Prince of the Royal line who also acted as Governor of a large Iranian province during the Qājār period (1794-1925). , 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 Mahomera via
the Huffar, and is mixed tip with the trade of that Port, which, in turn, is some
times included under the general trade of the Shat-ool-Arab, or Busreh line. The
wealth of Mahomera as of the Shat-ool-Arab in general, consisting, mainly, in
dates.
24. Dorack itself exports some wool, and abbas (the Arab cloak). Of rice
also, about 600 Karehs (each Kareh 100 Hashem, maunds of 124 lbs. each). It
possesses fine reaches of dategroves along its streams. But these are wholly for
home consumption.
25. The principal sea Ports of the Chaabs are Bunder Mashoor and
Hindeean. 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 20,000 Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. ,
eventually paid into Shuster.
26. The exports from Bunder Mashoor may be approximately analyzed as
follows:—
Wool to the value of one lac One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. shipped to Koweit or Busliire for ultimate transport to India.
Grain, mainly wheat, and barley to the value of 22,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. .
Hice from the Jerahee and Eam Hormuz fields to the value of 10,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. .
Eogun to 5,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 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.
Eogun ^ Kran per Dubbeh.
And each sheep ^ Kran.
27. The imports at Bunder Mashoor are,
Piece goods to the value of 50,000 Krans, paying a duty of 2 Krans on an average of 10 yards piece per 20.
Dates 10,000 Karelis paying 5 Krans per Kareh.
28. Hindeean imports.
About 1,000 Karelis of dates from Busreli, eacli Kareli paying 5 Krans duty.
And Piece goods to tlie 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 ^ Kran per Hashem maund.
1,00,000 Krans worth of wool from the upper country.
10,000 Krans worth of Eogun. And some 10,000 sheep paying l Kran export duty each.
30. 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 Baghdad.—Rice,
corn, ghee, and the products generally, of semi-pastoral and semi-agricultural
tribes enjoying a rich soil and fine water command, are what might be expected
from the territory contained between the Karoon river, the Bahktyari, and Kho-
giloo mountains, the Hindeean, and the Bamsheer. Dates of course might form
an item, and be grown, as might also be cotton, over a large area.
31. I consider the Chaab* territory by no means an easy one to traverse.
* N ote —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 Soonee observed to
me with regret, that these Chaabs should wear a Syud's dark green Turban ; and fold angle with tea urns
and uniforms. The aseel Arab of the other Eiver bank would never intermarry with a Chaab. But a
Chaab would not only marry thence if he could, but 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 illhap, by saying that the
offender is a Mogullee, a Slieeah ; while the Persian excuses all gaucherie by the nasal words, they are
Arabs, goats. A young Sheikh who was hawking in the desert with me, explained a miss-flight, by saying
that his bird was a Mogullee. Had he been bred a Soonee, 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.
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