"دليل الجزيرة العربية المجلد II" [‎١‎٠‎٨‎٣] (٦٨٨/١٢٠)

KUWAIT BAY AND TOWN 1083
The unit of length is a cubit or Dhira of 18J inches. Cotton and woollen goods and
some kinds of planking are sold by the Dhira, and it is used for measuring up masonry
work which has been given out on contract by the piece. Beams and masts are sold by
the Calicut kandy of 10 cubic feet and 29 cubic inches, chandals (round rafters or spars)
by the Korjah or score, and boat ribs by the Gari or cart load of 40 pieces or upwards
according to size.
Indian rupees and other coins are current; but the basis of the local currency is the
Maria Theresa dollar or Riyal of which 100 are on the average equivalent in value to
135 Indian rupees, but in 1905-06 the rate of exchange fluctuated between 133 and 152.
Trade, —Kuwait owes its mercantile, as distinguished from its political, importance
to its pearling and coasting fleet, to trade—especially a lucrative smuggling trade
with Persia and Iraq,
The richest merchants of Kuwait are Arabs who have made their fortunes in general
trade ; ten of them possess capitals ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 5,00,000. Of the
Persian trading community two are wealthy, while about 20 others have sums between
Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 invested in their business ; two Jews also employ from Rs. 40,000
to Rs. 50,000 each in local trade.
As no statistics of imports and exports are kept at Kuwait or, if kept by the Shaikh's
customs department, are not communicated, it is impossible to give reliable particulars
of foreign trade. According, however, to the most recent trade report the value
of foreign goods imported by sea in 1905-06 was Rs. 48,18,929, of which Rs. 27,69,054
represented goods arriving by steamers and the balance goods brought in native sailing
craft. In the year mentioned the chief classes of imports were as follows, in order of
value;—
Article.
Value in
lakhs
of rupees.
Remarks.
1
Arms and ammuni
tion.
10i
Entirely by steamer ; four-fifths of the total were of
British and one-fifth was of French origin. It is
said that about three-quarters of the rifles and
cartridges landed eventually find their way into
Turkish 'Iraq ; the remainder, with the exception
of a few which are smuggled into Persia, are
disposed of to Central Arabian customers. Very
few arms go from Kuwait to Hasa, which is more
conveniently supplied through Qat r.
Rice ..
n
More than half from 'Iraq by sailing boat, the
remainder by steamer from India. That from
Turkish 'Iraq arrives in the husk.
Piece-gooa»
5
By steamer, four-fifths from India and one-fifth
from America ; the latter are Mexicans. At present
half the superior piece-goods in cases go to Basrah
and more than one-fourth to Muhammareh.
Tobacco ..
By sailing boat from 'Iraq. Nearly half the
quantity received appears to be re-exported
to the same country.
Wet dates
H
From Iraq by sailing boat. Nearly one-third of
the quantity received was exported to Persia and
the Arabian coast.
6z