'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' [‎99r] (201/226)

xxix
restrain the encroachments of the numerous surrounding tribes, nor wisdom
nor prudence sufficient to exercise with effect the small share of power
yet left him, so as to conciliate his few remaining subjects, or raise
the slender resources of a failing revenue. Plague and famine commenced
the depopulation of his territories, tyranny and exaction, with a vicious
system of Government and collection on his part, and a constant exposure
to plunder by the Arab and Koordish tribes, from which he is unable
to protect them, have driven from their homes into other countries the
greater portion of those that remained, so that the villages are now
untenanted and the land lies untilled.
A short description of the Pachalic in its present condition, contrasted
with alteration which a very moderate degree of firmness and wisdom
and administration would infallibly produce, will best serve to illustrate
and give emphasis to the above statement.
The Pachalic of Bagdad extends in a direction nearly north-western
and south-eastern from Mardeen to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , a space of about 750
miles in length by a medium breadth of 800, and its boundaries may be thus
described: a line from Mardeen drawn up through Upper Mesopotamia
or at Jazeerah (as it is termed by the Arabs) to Kerkessia at the formation
of the Khabour and Euphrates separates it on the west from the Pachalics
of Arfa and Aleppo; again a line stretching from Mardeen to Arbeel,
including Nisebun and Mensel, and thence to the Gerdain Mountains
(called Karasadaeigh by the Turks and Joodee by the Arabs) running along
their feet by Zolhab to Mendeelee, thence again skirting the mountains
of Touristan to the lliver Kerkha or Karasa in Keezistan, following the
course of that river to Hameeza, crossing the Chaab country to Dorak
and touching the sea at Gobaitn will indicate its north-eastern boundary.
The habitable country west of the Euphrates from Kerbesia to
Meshed Allee, and from thence the canal of Pollacopas, affords a palpable
line of demarkation on the south-west, but as in times of prosperity and
strength the power of the Pacha extended over the Arab tribes that
range to the westward of that line, the boundary of the Pachalic on this
side may be considered as undefined.
This extensive territory, comprising some of the most fertile country
in the world, is by some divided into 26 districts, which may be separated
into those lying on the Euphrates and those upon the Tigris. They are
exhibited in the following list, where they stand nearly in geographical
order from N. W. to S. E., and those which are at present productive to
Government are marked to distinguish them from those that are not:—
Euphrates.
Tigris.
Anah.
Semanah.
Mardeen.
Tehreet.
Rahheh.
Soogu Shiook.
Nisebun.
Samevah.
Hit.
Bussorah.
Monsel.
Mendelee.
Kerbelah.
Erbeel.
Yohal.
Hillah.
Kerkook.
Jassan.
Nujjup.
Suleimaneeh.
Bagdad Bedraee.
Femloom.
Kiew Saujak.
Khesail.
Dour.
These districts are all governed by Pachas, Begs, Mussalleems, or
Yabits appointed either by the Porte or Pacha, but the degree of obedience