'Precis Containing Information in regard to the First Connection of the Hon'ble East India Company with Turkish Arabia, as far as the Same Can Be Traced from the Records of the Bombay Government, together with the Names of the Several British Residents and Political Agents Who Have Been Stationed at Bagdad [Baghdad] and Bussorah [Basra] between A.D. 1646 and 1846, accompanied by Other Information' [‎59r] (119/226)

WITH TURKISH ARABIA A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. —1646 TO 1846.
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army ; but other circumstances render it evident that were it blockaded for but a few
days it must surrender. The population on both sides the Tigris does not exceed 102
M. souls, for the support of which almost every necessary article is brought from
such a distance and in such a manner that the interception of these indispensable
supplies would be easy to the enemy. The single article of firewood is brought from
a distance of 100 to 200 miles ; wheat is either brought from Coordistan or the country
surrounding Mousul; rice principally from the country between Killah and Samavat.
With an enemy before its walls, the want of forage would prevent the possibility of
bringing any number of cattle into town, and those flocks which did not fall into the
enemies' hands, the Arabs assuredly drive off to places of security in the desert. The
plague has, my Lord, at the moment I am addressing Your Excellency, carried off near
2,000 souls; we hope the approaching heat will check its present progress, but we
know to a certainty that its ravage next autumn and spring will be dreadful.
" The Pacha probably at the beginning of a blockade might mount about 2,000
horse within the town. The Janissaries, undisciplined and unruly, who probably, when
distressed by the inconveniences of a siege, would turn like a wounded elephant on
their own party, may amount to between 6,000 and 7,000: these with five hundred
ragamuffins under the names of Barataties, Tuffingues, &c., compose.
" In respect to Bussorah, Your Excellency no doubt has received from the Kesi-
dent there more correct and detailed accounts of its present situation than I am able
to give; but my own opinion is that it is as weak, defenceless, and hazardous a one as
can well be imagined, besides which that unfortunate city can hardly hope to escape
next year the visitation we are now suffering of the plague.
" The cities of Merden and Kerkook, which are dependencies on this Government,
come so little within the prospect of this paper that is scarcely worth mentioning
them, but the town of Killah on the Euphrates is without walls, without other means
of defence. I have not a doubt left on my mind if things are left to go on in their
present train, but the Wahabee, during the course of the summer, will make himself
master of it. The moment that event takes place, Bagdad will begin to feel
straitened for provisions, and the Carad Arabs, who from being Shyahs, might
naturally be expected to surpass every other tribe of dependent Arabs in their willing
ness and steadiness to encounter the Wahabee, will have no other alternative than
submission to them or extermination. I fear Your Excellency will think I err if I
tell you the Government here is so besotted as not to perceive the importance of the
port of Killah, but on my honor, my Lord, this is the case.
" The principal military assistance, which in case of need the Pacha can make
use of, is drawn from Coordistan, the greatest part of which country is now under the
Government of Bagdad. That part of it which forms a part of the Turkish Empire
is divided into Pachalics, Sangiacks and other species of feudatury possessions.
The policy by which the Pacha of Bagdad has hitherto prescribed his authority
there is that of alternately elevating and deposing its Chiefs. From time immemorial
there have always been two families, or two branches of the same family, with
equal pretensions to each Pachalick or Sungeach, and consequently one may say
there is a Pacha or Sungeah Resident, and another expectant, who always resides, until
this Government have occasion for him at Bagdad. Discontents and jealousies have
manifested themselves to a considerable extent amongst the Chiefs of Coordistan, and
although the Pacha since his departure from Bagdad has brought several of them
to his camp, it is a well known fact that these persons measure their tribute and
obedience according to the strength of the arm which enforces it.
" The principal tribes of Arabs dependent of this Government, and inhabiting the
eastern banks of the Tigris, are the Benelarn and Sharner. The deposit Shaik of the
former has within these few days attacked the Shaik lately appointed by the Pacha,
and the country from Coole to Gissan, from Gissan to the environs of Haviza, is in an
actual state of confusion. The Shumer Arabs have been on many occasions so cruelly
treated by this Government that there can be no doubt of their joining the Wahabee
whenever an opportunity shall offer.
" On the Euphrates and between the Euphrates and Tigris to the southward of
Bagdad, the principal tribes are the Casaets, the Montificks, and the Mydan, the
Casaet Arabs possess but little territory on the western bank of the Euphrates. The
tribe is numerous, the men composing it are brave and warlike. The country extends