'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎309] (324/1050)

AZI-AZU
309
to the east of 'Aziziyah Village these deposits reach down towards the Tigris bank, and
the salt is removed in boats by a contractor to whom they are leased. Wild liquorice is
another asset of some value.
Administration. —The Qadha of 'Aziziyah belongs to the 2nd class. Aziziyah Village
was until recently the seat of the Qaim-Maqam, while the only Mudlr in the Qadha
was located at Salman Pak and was of the 1st class; after 1905 Salman Pak became
the headquarters of the Qadha, and 'Aziziyah Village (on account of its inconvenient
situation and the encroachments of the river) that of a Nahiyah only. The Dairat-as-
Sanlyah owned the Shadi tract together with the Mamlahah or salt-field whic hit contains.
'AZIZIYAH (Village)—
A village in Turkish 'Iraq, on the left bank of the Tigris about midway between Bagh-
dad and Kut-al-Amarah ; it is about 50 miles from either in a direct line, but by river it
is 117|: miles from Baghdad and 110 miles from Kut. Prior to 1860 there was at most
only a police station upon the site now occupied by 'Aziziyah; but some years later
the place began to develop in consequence of the acquisition of land in the vicinity by
the Dairat-as-Saniyah ; and in 1884 from being the headquarters of a Nahiyah it became
those of a Qadha. About this time the population of 'Aziziyah amonted to 1,000 souls
of whom three-fourths were Sunni Muhammadans and the remainder Shi'ahs with a
few Jews. After 1884 'Aziziyah again retrograded, partly in consequence of the in
roads of the river upon the bank; and in 1905 it exchanged places administratively
with Salman Pak, the latter becoming the chef-lieu of the Qadha while 'Aziziyah again
descended to the status of a Nahiyah. The population of 'Aziziyah is now under 200
persons : there are about 30 small mud houses, only, and half a dozen shops. The means
of artificial irrigation being wanting, there is consequently no cultivation; and the few
inhabitants who remain draw their supplies chiefly from the adjoining Shammar Toqah
tribe. The chief and almost sole kind of trade at 'Aziziyah is an export of liquorice •
it is carried on by a Jew who holds a monopoly of it from the Government.
A forest formerly reserved by the Turkish Government, exists on the Tioris bank
near this place.
'AZMIYAH—
A village, now possibly deserted, in the Biya lh district of Al-Hasa, in eastern Arabia;
and situated near the border of the Qatif Oasis. Palgrave describes 'Azmlyah as being
a wretched anl desolate village, of most unpromising appearance, but mentions that
fuel was to be had there.—(1863).
AZOV PATCH—
See 'Ali (Shab).
AZRAQ (Jabal-al)—-
A range of hills running east and west, the centre of which lies rather more than fifty
miles south-east from Salkhad, in Hauran. The usual caravan route between
Damascus and Jauf-al-'Umr skirts the western arm of these hills.
AZRAQ (Qasr-al).
A small settlement in north-western Arabia, used as a halting-place on the caravan
route between Syria and Jauf-al-'Umr. It consists of a ruined, Saracenic castle, stand
ing amongst a few palm trees. It is similar to, but in much better repair than, Qasr
Sal'dah at Kaf. Round Qasr-al-Azraq are many springs of good water. There are
usually about 10 or a dozen inhabitants.— [Butler and Aylmer, February, 1908,)
AZRAQIYAH.—
A village in 'Iraq on the Euphrates one mile to the west of Fallujah.
'AZUR—
A tribe inhabiting the village of Khashbat 'Azur in the Baldan-al-Habus division of
the Sharqiyah district, and said to be a section of the Bani Riyam tribe. {q,v.)