'Field notes: Mesopotamia. General Staff, India. February, 1917.' [‎28r] (62/350)

Rashid; in this case, perhaps, the exaggeration may not be
quite as great as it would appear at first sight. If the apparent
over-estimate of “ fighting men ” be reduced to the numbers
mentioned in another estimate, also furnished by the bhaikti,
ru'.. to between 6,000 and 7,000 men, with a roughly propor
tionate deduction from the numbers of women and children, the
total number of inhabitants would seem to work out to between
30.000 and 40,000, the former of which is the number usually
considered to be approximately correct.
The population is Muhammadan, Arab fashion, that is,
tolerant to others and not over-rigid to themselves. The
Wahabi faith is proscribed, and all the efforts of^ Naid have
never succeeded in making one single proselyte at Kuwait.
Resources .—Nothing grows near Kuwait, save grass and
vegetation for camel-grazing; the agricultural resources may,
therefore, be -considered nil except at Jahrah, (q. v. page 42).
During the winter months there is some sparse grazing, enough
for the needs of- the Bedouins’ herds of frugal goats, even on
the apparently arid plain round the town of Kuwait; Dut the
best grazing grounds, much frequented by Bedouins, are those
around Jahrah, Kadhamah Bay, and thence along the north
ern shore, between the Zor hills and the water’s edge. No sign
of cultivation can be seen on the higher ground north and
north-west of these heights. The wealth of the place proceeds
from its trade, shipping, shipbuilding, fishing, pearl fishing,
and, to a small extent, cattle-breeding.
Some 500 boats, with crews averaging from 15 to 40 men
each, are engaged in pearl fishing. The size of these boa s
varies from 30 to 300 tons burden, while some, of as much as
1.000 tons are engaged in trade with India and Mesopotamia.
The sea-going cargo boats number between 30 and 40.
There are about 300 carpenters, who gain a livelihood by
boat building; all the material is imported from India.
Fishing is evidently a considerable industry; the fish weirs
on the flat beach between Kuwait and the open sea are a very
conspicuous object. Besides the fish most commonly met wi
in Eastern waters, excellent soles are to be had, which would
be, no doubt, a feature in the “ menu ” of the hotels, should
this harbour ever become the ocean terminus for any railway
such as that now contemplated.