'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Koweit [Kuwait] Affairs, 1896-1904' [‎2g] (19/132)

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^ ,c famil y ^ ie Sheikh have ruled at Koweit some five genemtions, or
about 250 years ; for, as these men live to the good acre of 120 years, their ^enprations are, of
couisc, neaily double ours, or about 50 years each. Originally the Sheikhas progenitors dwelt
m a small fort, called Mumgnssur, situated at the head of the Khore Abdullah, near Bunder
Zobair; they were the pirates of the north of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and lower channels of the
Shat-el-Arab ; but about 250 years a^o the Busrah authorities attacked and expelled thera.
The original Sheikh then came down the Bubiyan creek with his followers, and debouched on
t ie bay, at present known as that of Koweit or Grane. Crossing the bay, he settled on its
southern shore and there erected a Fort or Khote ; hence the name Khote, or Koweit. The
teim Grane is rather applied to the shore line of the entire bay, from its resemblance to the
curve formed by two horns, Keor or Ghern, meaning horn. The settlement was sulsequently
increased by the son of the founder, who erected the longer portion of the present walls which,
owevei, have since been again extended along the shore line as the increase of population
from time to time demanded.
153, No doubt, much of the prosperity of Koweit may be due to position and to the
comparatively healthy climate : it was in ancient days the point where the sea tradfi took to
caravans or river carriage ; it still maintains its natural advantages, and, although I would
not recommend the artilicial forcing of trade from its present course, I will still keep an eye on
Koweit for future purposes. It n, in my opinion, hy no mean* impossible that Kotoeif, under
the effective development of the Gulf trade, would become the terminus for our sea goin<j
steamers, a Coal Station, and a Telegraph Station. The m re you analyse the question, the
more will you be probably struck by the fact that the trade of the East and West has a
marked tendency to resume its old linen under improved means of transit. Kow^it appears to
me a preferable port to Basrah for the samp reasons that Karachi is preferable to Tatta.
The climate of Busrah is fatal, that of Kowpit comparatively good. The water of Koweit, it
is true, is brackish, yet fever is unknown. Dysentery and ophthalmia are rare ; and when
men commence begetting new families at 80 and die at 120, the climate cannot be considered
as prematurely exhausting.
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135. Koweit has a fine broad channel of creek watpr running from its bay up to within
twelve miles of the Busrah point of tho river. I landed close alongside the Zo(>eir Bunder,
in four fathoms, and this was the least water I found in a midehannel of an average width
or one mile from the Koweit and of the creek up to its head, within sight of the date trees
on the Shat-el-Arab near Busrah. The cutting of a broad canal across these twelve miles of
fiat soil would be a work of little cost and labour."
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141. The Sheikh said that his family had always been tributary to Turkey; but I learned
from another source that, during some years, thpy had hoisted'their own flag; they found,
however, that the customs levied on their exports to Bombay were more inconvenient whnn
levied ^ against an unrecognised flag than when levied against a Turkish craft. Koweit
shrinking from this foreign pressure, turned to her Sultan and suddenly changed color. Truly,
trade is sensitive as woman's modesty. 0 '
142. Be the suzerainty of the sublime Porte, however, oF old or recent date, it is merely •
nominal; the Arabs acknowledge the Turks, as we do the 39 Articles, which all accept and
noue remember.'
Colonel Felly'i re' .
6. In bis published report No. 57, dated 15th May 1806, relating to his
port.rns. journey to Riadb, Colonel Pelly wrote as follows about Koweit :—
" 18. It may not be uninteresting in this place to submit a few remarks on the bay of
Koweit the sacred bay of the ancients, on whose shores stood Giranhensis. The word Grane
is said to be derived from Genern, a horn, which the bay is said to resemble in shape. The
present Koweit, from Koot, a fort, may be about a hundred years old. Originally the Sheikhs
of Koweit occupied a fort called Mongassar, on the Zobair ( reek a little to the northward.
They were the pirates at the entrance of the Shat-el-Arab ; but. being attacked by the Turks
they sailed south, and pitching at their present position, fortified it on the island "side against
the attacks of the Bedouins. The tract around for a radius of about 8 or 10 miles in con
sidered to belong to ihem ? but it is, with the exception of two "or three forts and their sur
rounding irrigation, entirely unproductive ; the water of Koweit itself is brackish Neverthe
less, Koweit is one of the most thriviug ports in the Persian Guif. Its craft are large and
numerous, trading with India and the Arabian Coasts. Its sailors are reputed the best in
these regions. Its trade is considerable ; importing rice from Shushter, Busrah, and the
Malabai voa,st j corn from the Persian Coast, dates from Busrah ; and timber for ship build
ing from the west Coast tf India. On the land side it barters with the Bedouins who during
the winter and spring, bring down "row^han " wool, and horses ; exchanging these for coffee
rice and other necessaries. The Bedouins have free access to the town on condition
only of leaving their arms at the gate, wheie the Chief Sheikh and the Kadhees sit daily to
hear the news, superintend trade, and adminste'- justice. A large dinner is prepared daily in
an allotted hah for the entertainment of strangers. The currency at Koweit is in Maria
Theresa dollars, Persian krans, and Turkish copper coin. English sovereigns are occasionally
to be found. Bills can be obtained on Busrah, Bushiie, Bombay, and the VVahabi capital