Rebellion of Mohammad Yaqub Khan [‎238r] (165/174)

1870. ]
BOKHARA NEWS—MERCANTILE.
207
752. Diary ending 8th July 1869.—
“ On tie 6th July a mercantile letter from Tashkoorghan announced in Cabul that the
Bussians levied 2-8 per cent, as octroi duty on the value of cloth goods, hut -imposed a little
more on teas of superior quality, and that they prevented the transmission of cloth m^rchnn
dize towards Kokund.”
753. Diary ending 19th July 1869.—
“ The Russians have been injured by the people of Dushti Kabchak and their subjects in
Tashkund, Khojund, Oratippa, Juzzak, Samarkund, and Kutta-Kurghan, are disaffected towards
them, and have determined to wage a religious war. For the above reasons, the Russians
have deferred urging on the King the necessity of fulfilling their demands. Merchandize from
India is taxed Rs. 2-8 per cent, on the value by the Russians. Formerly the Russians wrote to the
King not to allow the sale of Indian goods in his country, or they would levy a duty of one-third
or one-fourth value in the territories in their possession, stretching from Tashkund to Kutta-
Kurghan ; hence the duty on Indian goods became heavy. The exports and imports between
Bokhara and Russia and other countries are taxed at the rate of Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 2-8 per cent, on value.
The Russians have again requested the King to interdict the Indian merchandize, and have intimat
ed that, if this order is not attended to, they wuold seize the goods. The King has paid no re
gard to their request, and has not replied to the letter. The Russians feel uneasy since the
Ameer of Cabul has renewed his bonds of friendship with the English Government f
754. July 2§th. —News that tea and cloth goods had arrived in abund
ance in Budukshan from Yarkund.
755. September 28£4.—
“As heretofore duty is levied on all goods coming from Hindoostan into Bokhara. There
has been an order directing a slightly increased tax to be levied on tea. In Samarkund duty is
levied as usual on goods from Hindoostan, but such goods are not allowed to pass into Kokund
and the country beyond ; but the prohibition does not extend to indigo.”
756. January Qth, 1870.—
“ A mercantile letter from Bokhara reported that the Russians have directed in Samarkund
_ that the Indian traders should pay, if they desire
Diary ending 10th January 1870. to se]1 Indiau goodS) 5 0 per cent, on value of
muslin and long-cloth (luttah) as octroi duty. No mention was made as to the taxation
duty leviable on other articles. Briefly, the Russians desire that the import of Indian goods
may be obstructed by heavy duties.”
757. January Zkth .—
fc mercantile letter from Bokhara states that 1,000 loads of tea have arrived in Bokhara
from Russia, and 1,000 more loads are shortly
Diary ending 24th January 1870. expected; also, that white muslin, manufactured
in Russia, which is finer than the English muslin, has also been received in Bokhara, and conse
quently neither tea nor piece-goods should be exported from India, otherwise a great loss may
be sustained.”
The Commissioner thereupon remarked
“ This is quite opposed to the latest mercantile news.
758. July l\th .—
“Indigo is sold at three Tillas ^ three Tung as a dhurree [one dhurree is eqpd to
lbs.) on 30 months* credit.
“Tea varies in price from 30 to 65 TiUas a sheerah {am sheerah is equal to eight dlmrreei),
and muslin is sold at 13 Tillas a koree equal to 20 thans..
759. The Bokhara correspondent, whose letter is transoribed in the diary
of the 17th July, mentioned that tea of a superior quality fetched 70 JMas a
sheera.
Simla;
The T&th August 1871.
H. LePOER WYNNE,
Under Secretary.