'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎359] (378/1050)

BAHEAIN 359
to Persia ; but the diminution of their numbers, together with the rise of their price
in the Bahrain islands, has brought about a cessation for the present of this trade. The
trade with Qatar is divided between the towns of Manaqiah and Muharraq ; that with
Hasa and Qatif is concentrated at Manamah.
Currency, weights and measures. —The currency of the Bahrain principality is mixed.
Indian coins of all denominations are the most popalar and circulate freely ; but Maria
Theresa Dollars or Riyals are largely current during the pearl season, as the divers, who
are mostly Arabs from the mainland, prefer them; and quantities are imported from
Bombay to meet the demand. The Riyal is at present (1905) worth normally Re. 1 as. 5,
but it is liable to fluctuations in value of as much as 1 or 2 annas either way. The Turkish
Lirah passes at a valuation of Rs. 14. The ordinary unit of small values is however
an imaginary coin called the Bahrain Qran which is worth 2-5ths of a rupee. The
Tawilah of the Hasa Oasis is seen and is valued at J an anna, but it is not readily accepted.
A large quantity of specie from abroad enters Bahrain. In 1903 the value of the coin
imported was 43 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. , and coin worth 4 J lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees is known to have left the islands
in the same year.
The ordinary weights of Bahrain are—
Ruba' Mithqal
•04
lb. English.
Nisf Mithqal
•08
lb.
do.
Mithqal
•16
lb.
do.
Nisf Ruba'ath-Thamin
•32
lb.
do.
Ruba'ath-Thamln
•64
lb.
do.
Thulth Thamm ..
•86
lb.
do.
Nisf Thamln
1-29
lb.
do.
Qiyas ..
1-54
lb.
do.
Thamln
2-57
lb.
de.
Alf ..
3*09
lb.
do.
Ruba* ..
4-11
lb.
do.
Mann ..
57*60
lb.
do.
Rafa'ah
676-00
lb.
do.
The table of lineal measure runs:—
6 Sua'arat Bardhun
or mule-hairs = 1 Habbat Shajr or " barley-corn."
6 Habbat Sha'ir = 1 Asba' or " finder-breadth."
4 Asabi' = 1 Qabdhah or " fist."
6 Qabdhat = 1 Dhira' or " cubit."
4 Dhira' = 1 Ba' or " fathom."
1,000 Ba' = 1 Mil Hashimi or " mile."
3 Amyal = 1 Farsakh or " hour's walk."
4 Farsakh = 1 Barid or " postal runner's stage."
3J Barid = 1 Darjah or " degree."
360 Darjah = 1 Dairat-al-Ardh or " crircuit of the earth."
Of these only the Qabdhah, Dhira,' Ba' and Farsakh are known to ordinary illiterate
people. The Dhira' is equivalent to 18f English inches.
General administration. —The Government of Bahrain is of a loose and ill-organised
character. It is ruled by a Shaikh—at present 'Isa-bin-'Ali—who, with the assistance
of a Wazir Minister. or principal adviser, disposes of matters of political or general importance
and personally governs, unless when absent on sporting expeditions to the mainland,
the island of Muharraq and the part of Bahrain Island which is adjacent to Manamah.
During four months in the hot weather the Shaikh has his seat at Manamah: his head
quarters during the rest of the year are at Muharraq Town, but he indulges in frequent
Journeys. A brother, sons, nephews and other near relations hold fiefs in various places,
of which they have almost independent possession for life; upon these estates they
collect taxes for their own behoof and exercise magisterial and seignorial jurisdiction.
The most important semi-independent holding of this sort at the present time is in the
hands of the Shaikh's brother Khalid; it includes the islands of Sitrah and Nabi Salih,
as well as all the villages on the east side of Bahrain Island to the south of Khor-al-
Kabb and the inland villages of Rifa'-ash-Sharqi and Rifa'-al-Gharbi. These fiefs are
resumable at the death of the holder; in theory, at least, there is no obligation to con
tinue them in favour of heirs.
r