"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎١‎٢‎٠] (١٧٨٢/٢٦٣)

1756.
1756-58.
120
Bombay, 3,240 maunds remained awaiting shipment, 750 maunds were
expected from up-country, and the funds remitted to Kirman for
investment during the year amounted to upwards of lis. 74,000. There
were also u large remains of old copper " at Bandar J Abbas, and fresh
consignments of woollen goods were earnestly desired there, before the hot
weather should put an end to the trade for the season.
In the spring of 1756 wool and copper to the value of 1,620,987
Shahis were shipped to Bombay from Bandar 'Abbas, and the Agent and
Council explained that silver rupees were required for purchases at
Kirman, as the merchants there would accept no other coin and bills
of exchange were difficult to obtain. Between the 29th of September
and the 7th of December the Agent had remitted lis. 10,000 to Kirman
on account of the " investment " of the current year and Rs. 22,000 for
that of the coming season; he had actually received 2,580 maunds of wool;
and he hoped that the quantity would reach 10,000 maunds for the year
then closing. " He mentioned his apprehensions that a refusal to take
" the blac k sort of wool wou'd be attended with bad consequences, as the
'' Dutch made no exceptions to any colour and used every means in their
"powerto engross the whole investment.""
During the years 1756 to 1758 the Court of the Company in London
seem to have given great attention to suiting the Persian market; they
even had cloths designed and manufactured in imitation of Dutch and
French fabrics which sold well in the Gulf; and they constantly asked
for samples of their rivals' goods. They were not satisfied, however,
with the Kirman wool sent them; and in 1758, having lost considerably
by their sales in that article, they insisted that no more of the black
sort should be sent them and that an attempt should be made to buy
red without either black or white; if wool could be procured at Kirman
at 70 Shahis per maund, exclusive of charges, 20,000 lbs. of it might
be purchased, but otherwise only 10,000 lbs. at a price not exceeding 80
Shahis a maund. The Court also demurred to the building of warehouses
at Kirman and ordered that, if extra accommodation were needed, it should
be hired. Dr. Ives, who visited Bandar 'Abbas in 1758, specifies the
following as minor articles of export from Persia in which the Company
did not deal but left the trade to private merchants,—common assafoe-
tida and the superior sort called Hing, dragon's blood, opopanax,
sa.gopenum,* ruinas, cummin-seeds, almonds, seedless raisins, black raisins,
pistachios, prunes and dates. He adds : " I cannot conclude this account
* Meaning " Indian madder."