Report No.67 of 1863 detailing the tribes, trades and resources of the Gulf Littoral [‎6v] (12/58)

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returned good crops, until changes in taxation, stopped the sowing, and the culti
vators decreased in numbers.
60. The Sugar trade with Java has increased during the past 20 years from
5,000 Peculs (17 Tabreez maunds each) to 50,000 Peculs. 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.
61. 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 unadul
terated, is of excellent quality. Accounts ditFer 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 1,00,000 Tabreez maunds is, I
think, inconsiderable, as compared with what might take place. 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 Bushire inland, it is rugged, stony, mountainous,
Via the Dulikee Pass, Kazroon, to Shiraz; but less so along the plateau to Ispahan
and thence to the point where and Tehran: a mule load of 340 lbs, or so may cost
trade diverges, Shiraz. about 5 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , or a little less, in carriage, from
Bushire to Tehran.
65. Moving southward from Bushire you pass along a series of small coast
Congoon, Asseeloo, Nabend, villages, or insignificant Ports lying amid a skirting of
Kakheeloo, Cheroo, Khelat, Char- date trees, and immediately below a precipitous
rack, and Mogoo. 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 Lingah, the Port next in importance to Bushire,
That is of Ports, ethnological- of the 2nd Class, as now considered. The general
ly Arab; but considered under character of the commerce of these two Ports is simi-
< ~ !ass _ lar; 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 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. per annum, under the local
Government of Lar. The farm subsequently rose to 200 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. . 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 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. . The increase of trade then
slackened. It may at present have a trade equivalent to about one* fourth that * I suspect its
ot Bushire, The principal attractions of the place are that goods can be dropped trac ' e is more than
there more quietly than at Bushire; and with less interference and cost. They one f ourt has large.
can then sometimes find their way through the dilapidated walls of Shiraz without
a second demand; while a caravan coming from Bushire, is 2;enerally advertized
to the authorities at Shiraz,
67. But Lingah, in point of position and lines of road to the interior, is less
favorably situated, perhaps, than any other Port. The route to Shiraz is arduous,
ill-supplied, and unsafe. It is probable, its commerce, as compared with (hat of
other Ports, would rather decrease than otherwise, under a thorough development
of the Gulf trade.
68. Apart however from its landwards trade, Lingah enjoys a sea carrying