‘Military report on south-west Persia, including the provinces of Khúzistán (Arabistan), Luristán and part of Fars.’ [‎38v] (81/470)

54
See estimate, page 39. The above estimate gives for the territories [4),
(5), (7) a population of 204,550 assuming the adult males to constitute
\th of the whole. The estimate, page 39, is 199,000, a very close approxima
tion. This latter table should be received in preference to the two preceding
ones.
They are a tall, warlike race; over the Persian tunic and drawers they
throw the national abba. They wear turbans, and each
Dress and arms, &c. man carries a long flint-lock musket slung over his
shoulder. They are said to be brave, but cruel.
Patties between Arab tribes are reported to be bloodless. A battle in which
10,000 men were arrayed on each side, and which lasted for 4 days, resulted in
five killed and wounded.
Their tents [see page 9S) are larger than those of the Lur Iliyats, and
are supported on poles, in parallel rows, lessening in height from the centre to
the sides.
In 1639 the KaO) Arabs were Turkish subjects, who pastured their
buffaloes near Kurnah, and lived in the marshes of the
Tigris, paying tribute to Bussorah (Busra) ; others came
from the Arabian coast of the Gulf. A season of drought compelled them to
migrate to lands watered by the Kanin.
In 1750 Shaikh Selman, a popular leader of the tribe, taking advantage
of troublous times in Persia and Turkey, and aided by the \\ all of Hawizah,
established himself as far as the llindiyan river, and northward alon O* the
Karun to Band-i-Kir, expelling the Persian tribe of Afshar, its original occu
pants. From Turkey he obtained the island of Abadan, in the Shatt-al-Arab
the territory of Dowasir, on tbe right bank of that river, and on the left bank
a tract of country in the neighbourhood of the Hafar canal, including the
present town of Muhammerah.
Little by little the tribe succumbed to Persian influence. In 1812 the
Montafik Arabs ousted them from their possessions on the left bank of the
Shatt-al-Arab. To resist their further inroads, Muhammerah was built by
Shaikh Mardao of the Muhaisin branch (father of Ilajji Jabir Khan), lii
1837 the Waif of Baghdad plundered Muhammerah.
Its Chief, Hajji Jabir, the son of the Ka'b Shaikh by a slave-mother,
threw himself into the hands of the Persians, who took advantage of the feud
between him and the legitimate Shaikhs of the KaT to occupy Muham
merah with Persian troops. In a greater or less degree the Persian authority
has since been recognised. J
Hajji Jabir Khan, Nusrut-ul-Mulk, Governor of Muhammerah, died in
History aud Govern- October 1881, and was succeeded by his younger and
mcnt - , , . abler son Shaikh Mizal. His elder brother Muhammad
resides, by order, at Ishtahan [see page 2).
On the death of Shaikh Jabir. the Persian
xva o territory.
It now will seek occasion or find a pretext to establish a
supervision over the tribe.
In 1883 the Persians endeavoured to establish a custom-house under
Muhammerah. Fortunately the endeavour failed.
Persian custom-house established in an Arab
poi t than its commerce at once falls off on account of exactions. Such was said
not to be the case if the Arabs manage their own customs.
more detailed