'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎75] (208/458)

MEMOIR ON THE « TIGRIS.”
75
faster,,,
l al, ^
of t ‘"'‘'I
resor t of i,
portio ", w
re S ai 'd to il,
at once
i for the
us'oad of ft,
r to year, ij
3 of taxes asi
oh other, #»]
t of Govern-
) more to tli.
country, the*
! V occasion in-
reason would the locality be unregarded by the capitalists of the
i ce ; and in a short time we might hope to see its deserted towns
tored, and its minor irrigants re-opened for the encouragement
• 1 . ‘t* ft) O 1 O . v,
res
0 f the few industrious agricultural families that are met with,
Example would then work its effects ; population would increase ; and
a moderate taxation, exacted with strictness and impartiality, would
soon swell the exhausted revenues. Security of property must, how
ever, be first guaranteed by the strong arm of the law, and the existing
corruption in all classes, and in all offices, must be gradually eradicated.
A small place like this, amply surrounded by water, is a fit spot for the
introduction of improvement, and I feel confident of its progressive
character, if some enlightened Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. would devote his energies to the
task. He must, however, combine in se both statesman and soldier,
freeing himself in the first instance from avarice and pride—those great
vices of Turkish national character, and like Peter the Great, must de
vote himself entirely to the task of regeneration. A lamentable want
of energy in the present ruler precludes a hope of this for the time; but
while recording this failing, it is but fair to state, that the vicious
stumbling blocks to amelioration and improvement are alike absent in
his character, which, while noted for good nature, is remarkable for
taciturnity, and a child-like simplicity of manner. The capital of the
Dijeil district is now represented by the miserable village of Sumey-
eheh, * enveloped in a date grove, the first on the West side of the Ti
gris, above Kathemein. It numbers at the present time about 200 mud
tenements, inhabited by cultivators principally who are of the Shiah
sect of Mahomedans. It boasts of a mosque and 66 seraiV' f the mina
ret of the former being a stunted pillar fast falling to decay, and within
ayear, mail probability, will be numbered with the things that have
been. The date-trees, formerly so thick, are now few and far between,
and year by year are decreasing from the pervading neglect. Some
enclosures surrounding the village, courteously styled “ The Gardens t ,,
boast of a few pomegranate trees, which are nearly hid from the pas
senger by the great height of the mud walls that enclose them. These
speak of the character of the Sumeyeheh people, who are reputed
* Same)eiieh, I ani inclined to think, stands upon the site of Suwama.
t Serai « palace” a Persian word in common use both by Arabs and Turks. It is
^ppliedalse tc any mansion, however small, in which the chief of a town or district resides,
bavin tu 6 j n ^ ue8 ^ on differs only in its construction from the rude dwellings around, in
S tfte doorway and one room only built of burned bricks.