'Koweit: A Report' [21r] (46/140)
The record is made up of 2 volumes (60 folios). It was created in 1903. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
2 5
planks, spices, etc.) were estimated at about two
lakhs
One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
of
rupees
Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf.
; while the exports were approximately as follows
Horses ,
Wool
Dates
Miscellaneous
Totai
Climate.
The climate is distinctly good, as compared with that of
many ports in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
. At the time of my visit (Decern-
ber and January) it was perfection, and could only be compared
with that of Egypt, fine and bracing in the mornings and even
ings, and never unpleasantly hot. Even during the hot months
of the year, the prevailing wind, from the north-west, which
blows from the desert, is somewhat tempered by crossing ten
miles of the waters of the bay, while, on the other hand, it has
nQt absorbed enough moisture to have that muggy, steamy, and
relaxing character with which it reaches Bushire. Though the
drinking water is brackish, fever is practically unknown, and
dysentry and ophthalmia are rare.
In short, as has been rather quaintly remarked, with
reference to the phenomenal longevity of the Sheikhs of Koweit,
“ where men commence begetting new families at eighty and die
at 120, the climate cannot be considered as prematurely ex
hausting.”
Communications.
The whole country is entirely open, and the information as
to even the main routes is extremely meagre.
The most important, in view of the situation at the end of
1901, while I was at Koweit, were the communications in the
direction of Basrah, These are two-
{a) The direct, or inland, road which after leaving Jehara
crosses the coast range “AI Aghthi ” about 3£ miles to the
north-west of that place, and thence trends northwards to Basrah.
As far as can be seen from the coast range already mentioned,
the character of the country remains the same as that around
Jehara and Koweit, viz., level and open, and a native informant
told me that the road was of the same nature all the way. In
this case it is suitable for the movement of troops of all arms,
the only place where movement is restricted to the immediate
track is at the Gap through which the road rises to the higher
level of the country behind fhe coa-t range.
Rs,
2,40,000
40,000
60,000
40,000
3,80,000 or approximately four
About this item
- Content
Two copies of a report, marked as secret, on Koweit [Kuwait]. The report was compiled in the Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General's Department, by Captain H H Dowding, The Essex Regiment. It was printed at the Government Central Printing Office, Simla, 1903.
The report contains information on the geography, history, politics, military strength, administration, resources, climate, and communications of Kuwait. It includes appendices on routes and prominent families in the region.
The volume also contains a number of photographs and maps:
- A photograph of the foreshore of Kuwait (folio 3)
- A photograph of Mobarek-Bin-Subah [Mubārak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ], Shaikh of Kuwait, and his youngest son Naser (folio 9)
- A photograph of the residence of the Shaikh of Kuwait (folio 17)
- A rough diagram of the village of Jehara (folio 31)
- A map of Kuwait Harbour (folio 32)
- A map of Kuwait and surrounding country (folio 33).
At the rear of the volume is an index, arranged alphabetically and with reference to the original pagination (folios 26-28).
Folio references given are for the first of the two copies. The second, identical copy runs from folio 34 to 66.
- Extent and format
- 2 volumes (60 folios)
- Arrangement
The report contains a table of contents (folio 6) and an index (folios 26-28) which is arranged in alphabetical order. Both refer to the original pagination.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: this file consists of two physical volumes. The foliation sequence commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-33) and terminates at the inside back cover of volume two (ff 34-66); 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.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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'Koweit: A Report' [21r] (46/140), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F111/383, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100075142659.0x00002f> [accessed 29 March 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- Mss Eur F111/383
- Title
- 'Koweit: A Report'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:29v, back-i, 31r:33v, front-a, back-a, spine-a, edge-a, head-a, tail-a, front-a-i, 35r:62v, back-i, 64r:66v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence