'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎572v] (1146/1386)

10
PERSIA.
easy full. Thence, an inshore channel down stream could be
made as suggested by Colonel Bell, or one that now exists
opposite, close under the island, could be used, as is done at
present, by large boats which are worked slowly up through and
past the rapids. I saw a boat of 20 tons being thus taken up
in December when the river was very low. But in the mean
while, and for some time to come, the tramway may be expected
to suffice for all traffic purposes.
Transport of The land transport of goods past the rapids between the
g00dspt.t upper and lower waters is now effected quickly and comparatively
Ahwaz.' cheaply, owing to competition between the Arabs and the
soldiers. The Arabs come readily to work at Ahwaz, but very
few were so engaged when I was there, as, heavy rain having
fallen, all were busy with the winter sowings.
Trade. The opening of the Karun has already had a marked effect
on the well-being of the Arab population. Labour at I kran
(8d.) a day has put many in the space of a year in possession of
sufficient capital to buy a pair of donkeys and a plough (donkeys
do most of the plough work in Arabistan), and seed corn where
with to cultivate Government lands on their own account, besides
leaving a small balance in hand with which to live, without having
to borrow at robbery rates on the coming crop. The Sheikhs,
who before had a full command of labour in return for little more
than the simplest food, now find this condition of things rapidly
changing, so many of the very poor who depended on them having
started as small farmers. It was a sight to see the whole Arab
population on the river banks hard at work taking advantage of
the copious rain which had just fallen ; every available animal fit
for draught was yoked to the plough—horses, mules, bullocks,
and donkeys, and even mares with their foals following them up
the furrows.
The land tax is light, and every encouragement appears to be
given to cultivators.
Nasiri The Nasiri Company has a small steamer, the " Nasiri," plying
Company. on the Lower Karun, and it evidently runs in connection with the
" Susa” on the upper stream. The " Nasiri ” is principally used
as a tug, taking two Arab boats of about 27 tons each lashed
alongside her. It is now intended to transfer this steamer to the
upper stream, passing her up the rapids at next spring floods ; the
“ Karun,” a steam-launch of about 60 tons, belonging to Sheikh
Mizal, Governor of Mohamrah, taking the "Nasiri’s” place
below. Arrangements are also being made for a second steamer
to run for the Nasiri Company on the lower stream.
Sheikh Mizal, Sheikh Mizal is exceedingly wealthy, both by inheritance of
Mxennrr.of lands, flocks, and herds, and subsequent increase cf material
° ' prosperity. He exercises great personal influence in Arabistan
along the left bank of the Karun, from the sea to Wais, above
Ahwaz. He now appears to be moving with the times, and to be
well inclined towards trade and traffic on the Karun. The fact
of his steamer being about to ply on the river, and to carry for
the Nasiri Company, indicates his joining it, and this, with the