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'Field notes: Mesopotamia. General Staff, India. February, 1917.' [‎28r] (62/350)

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The record is made up of 1 file (169 folios). It was created in 1917. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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Rashid; in this case, perhaps, the exaggeration may not be
quite as great as it would appear at first sight. If the apparent
over-estimate of “ fighting men ” be reduced to the numbers
mentioned in another estimate, also furnished by the bhaikti,
ru'.. to between 6,000 and 7,000 men, with a roughly propor
tionate deduction from the numbers of women and children, the
total number of inhabitants would seem to work out to between
30.000 and 40,000, the former of which is the number usually
considered to be approximately correct.
The population is Muhammadan, Arab fashion, that is,
tolerant to others and not over-rigid to themselves. The
Wahabi faith is proscribed, and all the efforts of^ Naid have
never succeeded in making one single proselyte at Kuwait.
Resources .—Nothing grows near Kuwait, save grass and
vegetation for camel-grazing; the agricultural resources may,
therefore, be -considered nil except at Jahrah, (q. v. page 42).
During the winter months there is some sparse grazing, enough
for the needs of- the Bedouins’ herds of frugal goats, even on
the apparently arid plain round the town of Kuwait; Dut the
best grazing grounds, much frequented by Bedouins, are those
around Jahrah, Kadhamah Bay, and thence along the north
ern shore, between the Zor hills and the water’s edge. No sign
of cultivation can be seen on the higher ground north and
north-west of these heights. The wealth of the place proceeds
from its trade, shipping, shipbuilding, fishing, pearl fishing,
and, to a small extent, cattle-breeding.
Some 500 boats, with crews averaging from 15 to 40 men
each, are engaged in pearl fishing. The size of these boa s
varies from 30 to 300 tons burden, while some, of as much as
1.000 tons are engaged in trade with India and Mesopotamia.
The sea-going cargo boats number between 30 and 40.
There are about 300 carpenters, who gain a livelihood by
boat building; all the material is imported from India.
Fishing is evidently a considerable industry; the fish weirs
on the flat beach between Kuwait and the open sea are a very
conspicuous object. Besides the fish most commonly met wi
in Eastern waters, excellent soles are to be had, which would
be, no doubt, a feature in the “ menu ” of the hotels, should
this harbour ever become the ocean terminus for any railway
such as that now contemplated.

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Content

The file consists of a printed volume regarding the field notes on Mesopotamia. The volume was prepared on behalf of the General Staff, India and printed by the Superintendent Government Printing, India.

The volume is divided into the following chapters:

  • I. History.
  • II. Geography.
  • III. Population.
  • IV. Resources.
  • V. Notes on the Turkish Army.
  • VI. Maritime.
  • VII. Administration.
  • VIII Communications; Routes in Mesopotamia.

The volume also contains a number of appendices: A. Important personages; B. Table of Distances (in miles); C. Weights, Measures, Currency, Chronology; D. Some notes for officers proceeding to Mesopotamia; Glossary of Terms.

Extent and format
1 file (169 folios)
Arrangement

The volume is arranged in a number of chapters and appendices listed in the contents page (folio 4).

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 169; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Field notes: Mesopotamia. General Staff, India. February, 1917.' [‎28r] (62/350), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/15/50, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100037551545.0x00003f> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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