"دليل الخليج. الجزء الأول. المواد التاريخية والسياسية. ملخص حول شؤون الكويت، ١٨٩٦-١٩٠٤" [ظ‎‎٧] (١٢٨/١٤)

,l 128 The family of tlie present Sheikh have ruled at Kowelt some five generations, or
about 250 years ; for, as these men live to the good a^e of IfO years their
course, nearly double ours, or about 50 years each. Originally the Sh e lkh 8 P^g^itors dwelt
in a small fort, called Mumgussur, situated at the head of the Khore Abdullah near Bunder
Zobair; they we the pirares of the north of the Persian Gulf and ower channels of the
Shat-el-Arab ; but about 250 years a^ro the Busrah authorities attacked aild ex P e11 ^, J *
The original Sheikh then came down the Bubiyan creek with his followers, and debouched n
the bavt at present known as that of Koweit or Grane. Crossing the bay he settled on its
southern shore and there erected a Fort or Khote ; hence the name Khote, or Koweit. Ihe
term Grane is rather applied to the shore line'of the entire bay, from its resemblance to the
curve formed by two horns, Keor or Ghern, meaning horn. The settlement was subsequently
increased by the son of the founder, who erected the longer portion of the present walls which,
however, have since been again extended along the shore line as the increase ot population
from time to time demanded.
*
*
.
133. No doubt, much of the prosperity of Koweit may he due to position and to the
comparatively healthy climate : it was in ancient days the point where the sea trade took t
caravans or river carriage ; it still maintains its natural advantages, and, a mug wou
not recommend the artificial forcing of trade from its present course, I will dill keep an eye o*
Koweit for future purposes. It is, in my opinion, by no means impossible that Koweit, unde
the effective development of the Gulf trade, would become the terminus for our sea going
steamers, a Coal Station, and a Telegraph Station. The nx're you analyse the the
more will you be nrobably struck by the fact that the trade of the East and West has a,
marled tendency to resume its old lines under improved means of transit. Kow^it appears to
me a preferable port to Basrah for the samp reasons that Karachi is preferable to latta.
The climate of Busrah is fatal, that of Koweit comparatively good. The water of Koweit, it
is true, is brackish, yet fever is unknown. Dysentery and ophthalmia are rare ; and when
men commence begetting new families at 80 and die at 120, the climate cannot be consideied
as prematurely exhausting.
*
*
*
Colonel Pdly't re- .
port, 19i3,
f
135. Koweit has a fine broad channel of creek water running from its bay up to within
twelve miles of the Busrah point of the river. I landed close alongside the Zoheir Bunder,
in four fathoms, and this was the least water I found in a midchannel of an average width
of one mile from the Koweit and of the creek up to its head, within sight of the date trees
on the Shat-el-Arab near Busrah. The catting of ^a broad canal across these twelve miles o£
flat soil would be a work of little cost and labour
** هذه التواريخ تقريبية ** هذه التواريخ تقريبية ** هذه التواريخ تقريبية ** هذه التواريخ تقريبية
141. The Sheikh said that bis family had always been tributary to Turkey; but I learned
from another source that, during some years, they had hoisted their own flag; they found,
however, that the customs levied on their exports to Bombay were more inconvenient when
levied against an unrecognised flag than when levied against a lurkish cratt. Koweit
shrinking from this foreign pressure, turned to her Sultan and suddenly changed color, iruly,
trade is sensitive as woman's modesty.
142. Be the suzerainty of the sublime Porte, however, of old or recent date, it is merely
nominal; the 4.rabs acknowledge the Turks, as we do the 39 Articles, which all accept and
none remember.
6. In his published report No. 57, dated 15tb May ISfiG, relating to bis
journey to Eiadb, Colonel Pelly wrote as follows about Koweit
" 18. It may not be uninteresting in this place to submit a few remarks on the bay of
Koweit—the sacred bay of the ancients, on whose shores stood Giranhensis. The word firane
is said to be derived from Genern, a horn, which the bay is said to resemble in shape. The
present Koweit, from Koot, a fort, may be about a hundred years old. Originally the Sheikhs
of Koweit occupied a fort called Mongassar, on the Zobair C reek a little to the northward,
they were the pirates at the entrance of the Shat-el-Arab ; but. being attacked by the Turks
they sailed south, and pitching at their present position, fortified it on the island side against
the attacks of the Bedouins. The tract around for a radius of about 8 or 10 miles is con
sidered to belong to ihem ? but it is, with the exception of two or three forts and their sur
rounding irrigation, entirely unproductive ; the water of Koweit itself is brackish, Neverthe
less, Koweit is one of the most thriving ports in the Persian Guif. Its craft are large and
numerous, trading with India and the Arabian Coasts. Its sailors are reputed the best in
these regions. Its trade is considerable ; importing rice from Shushter, Busrah, and the
Malabar Coast; corn from the Persian Coast, dates from Busrah ; and timber for ship build
ing from the west Coast tf India. On the land side it barters with the Bedouins who during
the winter and spring, bring down "rowghan." wool, and horses ; exchanging these for coffee,
rice and other necessaries. The Bedouins have free access to the town on condition
only of leaving their arms at the gate, where the Chief Sheikh and the Kadhees sit daily to
hear the news, superintend trade, and adminster justice. A large dinner is prepared daily in
an allotted hall for the entertainment of strangers. The currency at Koweit is in Maria
Theresa dollars, Persian krans, and Turkish copper coin. English sovereisrns are occasionally
to be found. Bills can be obtained on Busrah, Bushire, Bombay, and the "Wahabi capital