'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From December 1854 to March 1856. (New Issue.) Edited by the Secretary. Volume XII.' [‎73] (184/258)

OBSERVATIONS ON BAGIIDAD.
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annualiy on plundering expeditions, or to adjust quarrels by the sword or nego
tiation as may appear advantageous to them at the time. The principal horde
of these independent races is that of the Shammar Jerbeh, wandering all over
northern Mesopotamia from south of Sinjar and the Khabur river to the
Saklawiyeh, west of Baghdad, and even at times to the Hye stream. They are
the terror of the Turkish authorities and people. They live entirely in the
desert tracts, or rather tracts where they appear have become deserted ; and
as caprice or fancied neglects on the part of the authorities seize them, they
issue forth on ghazus, or plundering excursions, carrying off every thing far
and near even to the gates of the cities. Unable to drive them away, the
Turkish Government has consented to pay their Chief a monthly salary to
secure his allegiance, or in other terms, to buy the forbearance of the^ tribe.
This, however, serves only a purpose, and, as the Chief Farhan says, is not
sufficient to purchase coffee for his hourly recurring guests. A sort of hollow
peace is however patched up by the contract, and comparative quiet broken
only by occasional reports of petty plunderings, exists for a time. They
are useful to Government only under general rebellion of the minor Arab
tribes, when they are called upon to face on them with fire and sword,
and are prompt enough generally in availing themselves of the permission.
They sweep the country on these occasions. Friends and foes of authority
are indiscriminately visited, and though there is not much blood shed, there
is universal wreck. The tribes hasten to get out of their way, and so quick
are Bedoin movements, that they succeed only in escaping from them with
their families. Flocks, tents, household furniture, crops and kine are aban
doned, and fall into Bedoin hands, to be driven off and sold at the lowest
possible price to any who will pay them in ready money. Plunder being
their only object, they care not to pursue the proprietors, for they have no
real sympathy with the Government in these affairs. Farhan, the son of
Sofuk, is the Chief of these people.
The Anizeh and Dhiffyr are the other Bedoin tribes which visit Irak in any
strength. The latter generally locate in the desert about the Montafik ter
ritory to the west of the Euphrates, and occasionally make forays in southern
Mesopotamia. They cross the Tigris also at times and levy contributions as
far as Badrai and Mendalli.
Parties of the former range between NajufandDeir on the west of the
Euphrates, and content themselves with occasional forays only into Mesopo
tamia They are generally at feud with the Shammar Jerbeh, and unless
something offers as a bait, will not come readily on to them pasture grojds
They have not, indeed, force sufficient to match them ; the strength of the
Anizeh being spread at a distance over Syria. The Dhiffyr give assistance to