'Precis Containing Information in regard to the First Connection of the Hon'ble East India Company with Turkish Arabia, as far as the Same Can Be Traced from the Records of the Bombay Government, together with the Names of the Several British Residents and Political Agents Who Have Been Stationed at Bagdad [Baghdad] and Bussorah [Basra] between A.D. 1646 and 1846, accompanied by Other Information' [‎100r] (203/226)

xxxi
or exactions of Government, and, as it appears by the foreg-oing- list, the
greater number with sueess, accordingly but a trifling' income is derived
from this large tract of country.
7. There are to the south-east of the last mentioned division
some small districts in the neighbourhood of Mendelee, which, when not
plundered and laid waste by the Persian troops and freebooters, return
a considerable revenue; but these excepted, the whole tract from that
line between the Soo Mountains and the Tigris as far as the River Kerkha
or Karasee is occupied by the field tribes of Sooristan and the large
Arab one of Ben-i-sam, the former keeping to the high grounds, the
latter ranging the plain. This district therefore yields nothing to Gov
ernment.
8. From the Kerkha to the sea being that part of Khazistan,
included in the Pachalic, is entirely occupied by the Chaab Arabs, who
pay nothing to Government.
9. Returning once more to the north-west and taking the line
of the Euphrates the whole country to the west of that river, and indeed
from the vicinity of Alleppo all the way to Hullah is undisputedly pos
sessed by the very numerous and powerful tribe of Anezah Arabs, who
range the desert to an unknown extent beyond, and to whom all minor
tribes yield implicit submission. They have lately shown their power in
a very alarming way, and yield of course neither revenue nor obedience
and thus exhaust the country, so that nothing can be obtained from it.
10. From Alllah to Sernavah the country is marshy from the over
flow of the Euphrates in consequence of the breaking of its bunds, and
this tract, including what are known as the Lemloom marshes, is held by
the large tribe of Khezal Arabs, who are principally cultivators, or who
feed large flocks of buffaloes in the marshes, and do not wander beyond
them. In this tract there are several towns which are independent of
the Arabs, and which pay considerable sums to Government: these form
a part of the revenue of the Shamerah (as the lands westward of the
Euphrates are termed by the Arabs)) and make a considerable item in the
Government income. The Khezail themselves pay nothing.
11. From Semavah to the sea is occupied by the Montifick Arabs,
and includes a number of petty tribes dependent upon them. These are
for the present obedient, and have lately paid some money to Govern
ment, but their obedience cannot be relied upon for any definite period.
12. Bussorah city and immediate environs may be considered as
forming another and concluding district, which contributes also largely
but to the Pacha^s resources.
Such being the mode in which the Pachalic is at present occupied,
the accompanying Statement will serve to convey a tolerably correct idea
of the amount and nature of the revenue actually now derived from it.
In collecting information from native sources absolute accuracy is rarely
to be obtained, and the obstacles met with in such a pursuit independent
of the indolence and indifference of those who must be the agents, forbid
both rapid progress and often ultimate precision, but it is confidently
believed that the Statement now referred to is sufficiently accurate for
the purpose it is intended to serve.