'IRAQ AND THE PERSIAN GULF' [‎339r] (680/862)

PORTS AND INLAND TOWNS
52 ?
the central market for agricultural produce of a wide area irrigated by the
Khalis, Khurasan, Mahrut, Ruz, and other canals, and commands the rail
and road crossing over the Diyala on the main road from' Baghdad to
Persia. It is inhabited mostly by non-tribal Arabs.
In Abbasid times Baquba derived its importance both from the Persian
road, which brought the trade of the Far East to Iraq, and from the great
waterway of the Nahrwan canal, which silted up by the thirteenth century.
The Persian invasions of Ottoman times usually engulfed Baquba, the
most recent Persian occupation being by the Governor of Kermanshah in
1821. The building of the railway to Khanaqin has enhanced the impor
tance of the trade route. During the Great War Baquba became in 1917
a forward base for the defence of Baghdad, covering the routes from the
Assyrian plains to Baghdad. The Assyrian refugees were originally housed
in a great camp near the town. The Arab rebellion of 1920 involved
Baquba, which was evacuated by the British military forces, though the
political officers remained and were murdered. In the reorganization of
Iraq, Baquba became the administrative capital of the new province of
Diyala.
General Description
The town contains over 1,000 mud-brick houses and more than one
bazaar, the principal one containing about 200 shops. There is a sarai, a
police barracks, and schools. Electric current is supplied by government
licensee. Water is obtained from canals in the vicinity. The great dry
course of the ancient Nahrwan canal is 2 miles west of the town. South
of the town the river is bridged by a modern 6-span steel-truss bridge
which takes both road and rail (p. 571). The bazaars are well stocked with
grain, meat, vegetables, and imported goods; large quantities of dates are
exported. There is a hospital with 30 beds.
Communications
Water : The Diyala is navigable up to Baquba in flood season between
December and April by launches and native craft, though the current is
swift and the bends very sharp.
Rail: Baquba station is on the metre-gauge Baghdad-Kirkuk line (Rly.
2); from Jassimiya just north of it a branch goes to Kut al Imara (Rly. 3).
Road : New motor-road [6] north-west to Diltawa, the Injana pass, and
Tuz Khurmatli, with poor unmetalled branch north to Delli Abbas, west
of the Diyala. Metalled tarmac road [7] north-east through Qizil Ribat to
Khanaqin, and Kermanshah in Persia. Unmetalled route [7a] east to
Mandali. Metalled tarmac road [6] south-south-west to Baghdad.
Air : Landing-ground south of the railway bridge.
Basra. See p. 505.