'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎106] (148/733)

106
BAHREIN.
and Ghoonchas are engaged in the Indian trade. The boats emploved
in the pearl fishery may be reckoned at about eight hundred.
The climate of the island is bad, and the inhabitants suffer more
t lan those of other places when any contagious disease appears in the
he rava g es of the cholera when it breaks out arc very much
greater there than in any other towns on the Arabian or Persian Coasts
, nU fever 18 also Prevalent at certain seasons, and stran-ers
sleeping on shore are liable to suffer from its deadly effects. Upon the
whole, with the exception of Muskat, Kishm, and Bassadore, Bahrein
may be considered the most unhealthy place in this quarter of the
globe.
The power of the Bahrein Chief has of late years been much weak
ened, by the contumacious conduct of his sons, and the divisions which
lave arisen among his other relations. Some of them, particularly the
ami y of lns nephew, Khaleefa, are supposed to be friendlily disposed
towards the Imaum. The secession of Esai bin Tarif, with 400
iollowers, has also been productive of injurious consequences to Shaikh
Abdoolla the more so as that person, who is a man of great courage and
energy, has now closely connected himself with the Government of
Muskat, and, through its influence, will probably aid materially in
promoting the views of Korshid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. in Bahrein.
Observations.Such was the description, and detail of resources, &c.
of the island of Bahrein, as given by Captain Hennell in 1839. Since
that period, owing to the increased dissensions, and subsequent hostili
ties between the members and relatives of the ruling family, the popula
tion, prosperity, and commerce of the island have gradually declined.
Numbers of the principal and most wealthy inhabitants, to avoid the
effects of increased anarchy and confusion, fled, upon the commence
ment of actual hostilities, to Koweit on the Arabian, and Lingah and
other places on the Persian Coast, where they have since temporarily
located themselves, in order to watch the course of events, and return
with the first signs of peace and established government, and conse-
quent security to life and property. Although the de facto ruler
Mahomed bin Khaleefa^ has met with no decided opposition to his
authority since his ejection of the old chief, his grand uncle, from the
island, m April 1843, through the assistance of the latter's aggrieved
and justly disaffected subjects, Esai bin Tarif and Bushire bin Ramah
yet Abdoolla bin Ahmed, refusing all compromise or understanding
which does not stipulate his re-establishment in his former position and
authority, continues to reside at Nabend, on the Persian Coast, havino-
at his disposal four or five moderate sized vessels ; and his intrigues
and overtures, having for their object to engage in his favour the
assistance and countenance of the Wahabee ruler, Ameer Fysul,