'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART I: A to K' [‎316r] (636/1278)

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FAL—FAL
by ’Aquleh, a spot 8 miles west of Ma’shur, and finally reaches the Khur
Musa near the point where that inlet breaks up into the two Khurs of
Dauraq and Ma’shur.
Physical geography, climate .—The Jarrahi, which runs through the middle
of the district, is bordered by a belt of canal-irrigated cultivation. Outside
this cultivation are at the eastern end of the district flat, alluvial plains,
which are waterless except after rain. On the north of the Jarrahi, on
the borders of the Ahwaz district, there are large swamps both to the east
and the west of Gharaibeh.
In the damp parts the heat in summer is almost intolerable, and mosqui
toes abound to an almost incredible extent. From June to September mill*
tary operations would be practically impossible owing to climatic reasons.
In the drier parts of the district tamarisk and camel-thorn are found.
Inhabitants. —The population of the district is almost entirely of the
Ka’b tribe; the people form fixed communities and should therefore be
regarded as settled. The probable number of souls is about 45,000.
Most of the villages are settlements situated on canals from the Jarrahi
river, and known by the same name as the canals.
Agriculture and trade. —Dates are the principal crops of the district.
Rice, wheat and barley are also cultivated on a considerable scale. Sheep
and goats are plentiful and numerous herds of cattle are to be seen ; there
are a few horses and donkeys.
The chief exports are dates, rice, wheat, barley, hides and melons.
Buzieh is the only port situated in the district and most of the trade is
carried on there.
The Fallahieh man is equal to about 248dbs. English, and is equivalent
to 16 Shushtar mans ; it is divided into 12 waqiyahs of 20 lbs. each.
Communications .—The drier tracts can be traversed in any direction.
In the moister parts progress is difficult, but even there in places there are
paths practicable for laden animals. There is little information about sup
plies, but canals being numerous there should be no difficulty as to water.
The first step in a military occupation of Fallahieh would be to seize
a position near Janjireh commanding the irrigation of the district; this would
prevent the inhabitants resorting to their usual tactics of flooding the coun
try, and by manipulation of water-supply combined with a blockade they
should be brought to submission.
Water communication. —The main artery of internal communication is
the Jarrahi river, which boats of considerable size can navigate to the upper
most limits of the district. The Jarrahi is not connected by a navigable
channel with the Khur Musa, but it is prolonged to the Karun, which it
enters at the Marl creek by the Fallahleh-Marld canal. For a number
of miles in the neighbourhood of Fallahieh this canal is only a ditch 6 to
8 feet wide with a depth of 11 to 2 feet, and it is therefore impracticable to
boats of more than 5 tons, but it could probably be widened without much
difficulty. At 10 miles from the Karun the canal begins to become wider
and deeper.
Very few boats are owned by the riverside population of the Jarrahi,
yet there is said to be no lack of small craft when necessary. About 300
ballams are said to be at Fallahieh.
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