File 234/1917 'Muscat trade reports. (1911-1924)' [‎50v] (109/428)

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would probably be a complete failure and largely
useless.
The poverty of the people and their depen
dence on the import of rice by the merchant and
the sale of their dates also by him place the latter
in a position of autocratic power. This position
he uses.
There are no European traders, and with the
exception of the merchants of Sur there are actu
ally no Arab merchants of importance. All
trade, that is, export and import trade, is in the
hands of Indian banias and khojas, who are Bri
tish subjects. Again, with the exception of at
Sur there are few sailing vessels owned by Arabs*
and at this latter port alone survives a remnant
of the once far famed Arab traders of Oman.
Oman is a perfect example, as were Genoa
and Venice in former days, of the decay produced
by a change of trade routes and methods of trans
port. And this process of decay has not yet
ceased. The opening up of Dubai on the Pirate
coast as a steamer port has seriously affected
Muscat through which it was formerly supplied,
and has more than halved the trade of Sohar which
only a few years ago supplied the whole Birami
oases and Hinterland. Manchester piece goods
have killed the local industries, wealth has passed
almost entirely into alien hands, and it is prob
able that few people in the world have less cause
to bless the advance of European civilization than
the Arabs of Oman.
Currency.
The currency of the country is the Maria
Theresa dollar and the copper coin minted in
1895 to the order of His Highness the Sultan.
In Muscat and Muttra sovereigns, Indian cur
rency notes and Indian rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. are generally ac
cepted.
The Maria Theresa dollar fluctuates in value
considerably, being affected by the world price
of silver and also by the local demand in the
date season, and by the state of the Bahrein
pearl market.
Trade accounts are kept in Mahomadis and
Gajh imaginary coins. There are two kinds of
Mahomadis — black and white. Black 20$ =
Idollar, and white 11$= 1 dollar. The white
is used in wholesale trade accounts and the black
for fruits, vegetables, etc. Most hundis from
India show their face value in Mahomadis and
not in rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. .
20 Gajh = l Mahomadi.
11$ Mahomadis = Idollar.
100 Mahomadis =1 Toman 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. .
The average rate of monthly exchange between
the Maria Theresa dollar and the rupee varied^
from Rs. 237 to Rs. 256-8 per 100 dollars, the^
lowest being in August 1919 and the highest in
September 1919.
The following gives the average rates ruling
in the local market in each month during the year
under report Rs. 15 = £1.
April 1919 •
May 1919
June 1919
July 1919
Bs.
254
239
248
250
per 100 dollars,
ditto.
ditto.
ditto.
August 1919
2*37
clitto.
September 1919.
256-8
ditto.
October 1919 •
262
ditto.
November 1919 .
254-3-3
ditto.
December 1919 .
256
ditto.
January 1920 .
255-12
ditto.
February 1920 .
242
ditto. •
March 1920
239-8
ditto.
Weights and Measures.
The weights used in the Customs Depart
ment are now prescribed for use in Muscat,
Muttra and the coast towns. They are :—
1 Kiyaa = the weight of 6 dollars or 5-9375 oz.
24 Kiyas = 1 Muscat mound.
10 Maunds = 1 Farasala.
200 Maunds = 1 Bhar.
Rice is sold by the bag; other cereals by the
following measures
40 Palis = 1 Fat rah.
20 Farrahs = 1 Khandi.
The rupee which weighs one tola, and the
dollar, of which the weight is called “ Aukia ",
are used for weighing drugs and perfumes. One
aukia equals eight miskals;—
Measures (Linear).
1 Shibr = 1 hand of 4$ inches.
4 Shibr = 1 Dhira or cubit.
4 Dhiras = 1 ha’ or fathom.
Population and Country.
The population of Muscat is probably not more
then 2,000, but Muttra has increased consider
ably and may be almost 20,000. The majority
of the bouses in Muscat are empty or in ruins,
but building is brisk at Muttra. Sur is an
enterprising sailing vassel port o£ about 12,000
inhabitants and what alone prevents a probable