'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. II' [‎1255] (304/688)

MUHAMMAD
1255
'Usman Is now in occupation of the country on left bank of Tigris from some 14 miles
above Qui'at Salih down to Ezra's Tomb and has extensive rice lands at the outflow of
the Michiriyah canal and its branches, but these have been reduced in value by
the damming of the Michiriyah.
He has acted at all times in a friendly and straightforward manner.
His following number about 1,000 foot and he controls, though to a limited extent, the
Xawafil section of Shaddah (descendants of Bait Shudaiyid), and the Hulaichiyah,
a section of the Sarrai. These number probably another 1,000 rifles. 'Usman lives
about 6 miles inland from Qal'at Salih on the Michiriyah canal.
4. Bait Saihud. —Falih ibn Saihud, the Shaikh of this section, leases the Hafirah,
Jamshah and Kasrah estate on right bank of Tigris from 8 miles about Qal'at Salih to
immediately below Ezra's Tomb. He lives about 8 miles up the Hafirah canal which
takes off opposite Qal'at Salih.
Falih has behaved very well since our occupation of 'Amarah and appear to have dealt
with us in a straightforward manner, but his brother, 'Abdul Karim, is of very doubtful
Virtues. •
Falih has a following of about 800 men and also controls to a limited extent the A1
Bu Bukhit Arabs (section of Shaddah) camped in his limits just below Ezra's Tomb.
Another brother of Falih's, by name Hatim, with whom he is on very bad terms,
occupied the small estate of Jawwar, lying a few miles inland from the Tigris on the
right bank between the Jawwar and Majar-al-Kabir Canals.
Hatim's following is some 200 foot.
Hatim's son Tahir, who quarrelled and separated from his father, leases the estate of
Jurait situated on the left bank of Chahalah canal.
Neither Hatim nor Tahir had a very savoury reputation, but they behaved well from
the date of our occupation, until November, 1916, when Hatim fled to the Turks,
alleging grievances with regard to water and boundaries. His estate was leased for
one year to Majid al Khalifah.
B . -Bait 'Ahud. —Are now split up into small insignificant sections and scattered
throughout the territories of Baits Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. , Khalifah, Yasir and Saihud.
They comprise among other the following sections :■—•
'Ali, al bu.
Baidhan, al.
Haddam, al.
Khulaifah, Bait.
Masalikh, al.
Mutair, al bu.
Shumaiyil, Bait.
Their following have been included in the numbers given for Al bu Muhammad Shaikhs,
C, —Bait Shudaiyid. —From this are descended the Shaddah which comprise four
chief sections :—-
1. Nawafil, Shaikhs Kuhaij ibn Shukhaiyir and Daghir ibn Kham'ab living
in 'Usman ibn Yasir's territory.
Their principal sections are avS follows ;—■
Naicdfil, al.
Abul 'Aitah, Bait .. .. .. .. Muhawwis.
Shadhar.
Al Haid ibn' Abdullah.
Humud, Bait .. • • .. . • Salman.
Jasim, al .. .. .. .. Al Ruhaij ibn Shukhaiyir.
Al Sughaiyir,
Rudhaiyi, al .. .. .. .. Rashid.
Muhawwis and Shadhar of the Abul 'Aitah section are in the Qurnah district between
Suraifah a Haddamah on good terms with Al bu Bukhit, but the latter have a
buffalo feud with the other sections of the Nawafil who are with 'Usman al Yasir,
their usual position being roughly from opposite Zichiyah north-east towards the
Hor.