Report No.67 of 1863 detailing the tribes, trades and resources of the Gulf Littoral [‎5v] (10/58)

10
Kupees.
Zinc to value of. 4,000
Quicksilver „ 4,000
Sundries „ 100,000
Total Imports Eupees. 4,706,000
49. An Abstract of the Bushire trade prepared last year, is also subjoined.
Abstract Statement of the estimated Exports and Imports at Bushire.
Exports to
Bombay
Java
Jeddo
Total approximate Exports ^
Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. j
Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. .
1,000,000
350,000
180,000
1,530,000
Imports from
Bombay-
Java ..
Total approximate Im
ports Kupees
}
Eupees.
3,700,000
1,000,000
4,700,000
50. Some clue may be found to the 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 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , of which 15,000 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. may represent the Cus
toms ; and the balance octroi receipts, andlandand poletax from the tribes and villagers.
52. Suppose the Governor to clear 10,000 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. on the year, and 5,000
Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. more to stick to the fingers of undeiiings. Take the low rate of 5 per
cent (being that of the most favored Foreign nation) as an average custom due on
both exports and imports; and the gross value of the entire trade of Bushire, so
estimated, would amount to Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. 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 seagoing 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 sprin klin g
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 sea-port, an im-
comparable commerce. But the commonplace sense of an Englishman weighs
upon the facts of the terms of the farm from a Government not celebrated
* N ote —One of the 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 + 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 + C. ( + D + E's + P's profits). He
cannot pay. P. complains to E. and E. to A., who is dunned for his contract sum from the capital. A gives
to his sub-fanners 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 Governors lease.