'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎112r] (228/470)

Administration Report, Shifathah and Rahhaliyah for 1918.
1. Political and Tribal : ( 1 ) Shifathah .—Is a large oasis situated about 30
miles west of Karbala in the desert. It is watered by three large and nine small
springs, which are slightly sulphurous, but good for purposes of drinking and
cultivation. Shifathah consists of a large date grove, containing about 281,500
trees in bearing and about 57,500 trees not in bearing. In addition, there are
estimated to be 31,000 fruit trees in bearing.
The inhabitants of Shifathah are estimated to consist of about 8,000 souls in
all; they do not belong to any particular tribe, being merely known as the people
of Shifathah. ,
(2) Rahhaliyah.—Is a similar but smaller oasis to Shifathah, from which it lies
about 25 miles north-west. It is watered by five springs of a similar quality to
those at Shifathah. It contains 42,600 date-trees in bearing and 6,000 trees not
yet in bearing. Fruit trees number 1,969.
The inhabitants number about 1,000 souls, of whom about 160 belong to a small
tribe called the A1 Bu Shibil.
(3) Until October 1918, these two places were administered by a muclir under
orders of the Political Officer, Desert. They are at present being administered from
Karbala.
( 4 ) The people are indifferently armed with obsolete rifles. They are at present
law-abiding, and have given no trouble.
(5) Shifathah and Rahhaliyah exist chiefly by selling their date crops to the
‘Anizah and the Dulaim. Previously these places were not self-supporting in the
matter of cereals, but this year it is hoped that sufficient grain has been sown to
render them independent of outside assistance.
( 6 ) As far as one can judge after having been in charge of this district for just
under one month, it is efficiently run by the Mudir in charge, who appears to be an
energetic and capable man.
2. Revenue: Land Revenue. —(1) The major portion of the land is derived
from the date crop. Each date-tree in bearing in Shifathah pays 2 annas 3 pies,
and in Rahhaliyah 4 annas. It is estimated that in 1918 this will amount in the
case of—
Rs.
As.
P.
Shifathah to - - - -
-
35,447
8
0
Rahhaliyah, date-trees
-
10,652
0
0
These amounts have not yet been collected, but
will
probably be received before
the end of December 1918.
(2) The taxes on fruit trees are expected to yield-
Rs.
As.
P.
For Rahhaliyah -
-
61
7
6
For Shifathah -
-
875
0
0
(3) The land revenue paid on account of
one
-fifth share
of the miri for
Shifathah is—
As.
Rs.
P.
Wheat -
-
8,436
4
0
Barley -
-
4,029
0
G
For Rahhaliyah—
Rs.
As.
P.
Wheat and barley
-
1,264
12
6
Miscellaneous and Special Revenues for 1918.
Kodah —
Rs.
As.
p.
Shifathah -
-
-
1,575
0
0
Rahhaliyah
-
-
1,010
0
0
Camel tax from Badawin -
* 10 1162*—*1
7,267
0
0
Q