Report No.67 of 1863 detailing the tribes, trades and resources of the Gulf Littoral [‎9v] (18/58)

ing 450 lbs. against a mule's 340 lbs, and costing one-third less; avoidance of
delay and risk incident to seapassage up the Gulf against the prevailing Xor-
Westers.
96. The disadvantages of Bunder Abbass are:—
1^.—That its town and road are considered less safe; but this objec
tion is mitigated by the largeness of caravans. An Abbass Kafla
may number from 1,000 to 2,000 camels. In Bushire, it is rare to
see 100 mules in the same Kafla.
2nd. —That the distance from Bunder Abbass to Teheran Yezd, is
longer than that of Bushire from Teheran via Ispahan and Shiraz;
but then the Yezd road, as before mentioned, is easier, and less
interfered with: hence less delayed.
97. Looking forward to the possible development of Persian and Central
Asiatic trade from the Gulf line, I should say that, compared with its area, it must
always be small; but that the area for the supply of which the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
is the only continuous Ocean line, is so immense, that the trade, naturally
seeking its waters would, if not stifled by authority, rapidly increase; and be
very considerable, regarded as a whole. The Persian peasant is a frugal, avaricious,
trade-seeking man. The climate over the entire area to be served necessitates
clothing. I have never met a man without a hat or turban of some sort. The
Persian Khula is an article of fashion, and may cost anything from 10 Shillings to
£10. The Illyat wears a felt; the Persianized Arab, a holy turban. Every
body carries a pair of shoes or sandals on his feet, or in his hands. Trowsers
obtain in towns; but are wisely discarded in country, as an impediment to free
walking. As to coats they are universal, of the length of the body, and of all
colors and descriptions. The Persian usually carries all he possesses on his
back; looks cool during his visit; and unpeels seven, eight, or a dozen outer
garments, when he gets home. In chinaware, he is a connoisseur; and it is
difficult to deceive him. Arms of all sorts are in request; but a double-barrelled
over and under pistol, is wisely preferred to a revolver. It is remarkable how
long the awkward match or flint-lock holds its ground; and I cannot but think
that it is in some degree due to the want of a thorough trial of our modern rifles.
They appreciate our fowling-pieces. All this means trade.
98. But the fact is, that in Central Asia as elsewhere if you want to trade
especially in the retail or fancy line, you must study fashion. ' If you throw red
broad-cloth into a Persian town; or stone-color, black, or sky-color, among the
Bedouins, they may remain on hand. Exchange the bales across the Gulf, and
they may sell off hand. When I was at Zanzibar, last year, an enterprising
Hanseatic merchant hit upon the idea of imitating the famous Muscat turban.
He found he could import from Hambro an equally good (in my view better)
looking article at a reduced price; but the Arabs and Sowahailee men about
town, decided the colors were a little too bright: the article was forthwith gos
samer to a beaver. Another gentleman sampled a large pink bead. The only
objection possible to it, was, that it did not sell in Uniamesi, among the mountains
of the moon. Similar accidents happened in piece goods: a stripe too broad, or a
line too little, was sufficient to make the conversative ladies of the Negro races
doubt quality; and stick to the original Surat, Broach, or Bengal.
99. In the articles of ghee, cotton, madder-root, opium, and wool, there is
room for indefinite extension. It might be possible to create a trade in horns,
glue, hides, saltpetre and sulphur. Persia possesses great mineral wealth, and
coals, and sooner or later these must come to market. The coal we used at the
Teheran Legation was fetched some 10 or 12 miles from near Damawend. It was
of good quality, and I am of opinion that similar coal is findable in the hills near
Bushire at Gesakoon and Halila Hill.
100. But it is rash to foretell the future of trade, or to prefer one route to
another, so long as the arbitrary interferences of authority may, by a stroke of
the pen, ruin one line or force another.