'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. I' [‎825] (880/1050)

/
HIL-HTL 825
Surrounded by gardens and fruit-trees, Hillah is the centre of a district which
produces wheat and barley in abundance; and a surplus of these, as well as of dates,
is ordinarily available for exportation. The agricultural prosperity of Hillah is
however on the decline in consequence of the failure of the Euphrates and may con
ceivably become, at no very distant date, a thing entirely of the past. At present,
it is calculated, the following supplies, could be collected at Hillah in a week if the condi
tions were favourable ; 400 tons of wheat, 600 tons of barley, 100 tons of rice, 1,000 oxen
and cows, 600 buffaloes, 300 horses, 1,000 donkeys, 50 mules, 700 camels and 5,000
sheep. The covered bazaars are extensive and well-stocked, containing it is said as
many as 2,000 shops ; they furnish all ordinary articles and some of European manu
facture. The number of 'alwahs or grain stores is stated at 120, of coffee shops at
20 and of khans or caravansarais at 18. There is also a warehouse for the storage of
petroleum. Hillah imports piece-goods and some other merchandise from Bahgdad
City, but the rest of its trade is with Kufah on the Shatt-al-Hindiyah, a means of
communication being provided by marshes which in some seasons extend from the
Hindlyah to within about 4 miles of Hillah. The chief exports are barley, wheat, dates
and ghi; the principal imports are piece-goods, sugar and coffee ; the only manufactures
of importance are a fine felt, used for rugs and for horse-furniture, and a particular
kind of Arab saddle.
Hillah is the chef-lieu of the Qadha of the same name in the Sanjaq of Diwaniyah and
is a municipal town. Under Turkish rule Hillah was probably, after Baghdad and Basrah,
the most important military station in 'Iraq. The old Turkish barracks, well built
of Babylonian bricks, are in the western town and form the back of a .large open square
which fronts the river at the boat bridge. The Sarai or offices of the former Turkish
civil administration consists of a large block of buildings in good repair a little to tho
north of the barracks. There are a telegraph and a post office. Schools number
3 and mosques nearly 30.
Hillah stands amidst historic sites. The ruins of Babylon begin only 3 miles
to the north, while the Tall Nimrud or prominent mound which marks the place
of the ancient Borsippa is 8 miles to the south-welt; and Hashimiyah, the first
capital of the 'Abbasid Khalifahs, is believed to have stood about 10 miles to tho
northward, a few miles to the east of the Euphrates. The eastern quarter of the town
existed already, as Jami'an in the 10th century A. D. ; and Hillah proper, on tho west
bank, was founded in 1102 A. D. The name means '' The Settlement.''
HILLAH (or Suq)—
See Baraimi (Village).
HILLAH—
The town proper of Hautah {q. v.), Southern Najd, as opposed to its outlying settle
ments.
HILLAH (or Qil'ah)—
See Kharfah.
HILLIAT (or Khubar-al-Majalibah)—
See Samail ( Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. ).
HILLAT (or Khubar Bani Harras)—•
See Samail ( Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. ).
HILLAT-AL-HISN—
A village in Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Tiwi in the 'Oman Sultanate.
HILLAT-AL-HISN— « •
HILLAT-AL-MAKHAILIF—•
HILLAT-ASH-SHAIKH—-
Wards, or quarters, of the town of Liwa (q.v.), in the 'Oman Sultanate.
HILLAT-AL-MANQAL—
HILL AT- AS-S U Q—
C52 (w)GSB 5o