‘Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Precis of Turkish expansion on the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf and Hasa [Al-Hasa] and Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] affairs.’ [‎2] (14/160)

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Early referenoes in our records.
•Page 254, of Bombay Political
partment, Volume 51 of 1821.
that this district remainod permanently estranged from Islam, a heap oF moral
and religious ruins, of Carmathian and esoteric doctrines, where.naturalism, to
use a modern phrase for a very old thing, and materialism were mixed up and
confused with Shiyai transmigrations and incarnations, with the now reviving
relics of Sabaeisrn and with the fatichism common among the lower and un
educated classes all over the globe, though it may vary in form and name.
5. When Niebuhr visited the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , he found the whole district
dominated by the Beni Klialid, who have since declined in power and are
supposed now to be incorporated between Rus-al-Gbar and Koweit with the
A1 Ajmau ( Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Pilot).
6. The earliest mention of the Kafif and Hasa coasts in our records is
contained in Major Colebrook's report
De- about the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. littoral dated 10th
September* 1820. "We shall extract his
account of this const as also of the neighbouring Islands including Bahrein,
as the tribes inhabiting them had once intimate connections with one another,
which it would be well to note, and a description of the state of things in 1820
is well worth comparing with the existing state.
Katif. —Katif is situated within a deep Khoor or bay, the approach to which
is renderpd difficult by the shallow water extending along the coasts to the westward and
southward of Bahrein, The chfinnel o£ entrance to Katif is by the north side o£ the Bay,
and commanded by tbe insulated Fort of Damanm erected by Rama bin Jauber. Near the
hnad of the Bay is the Island of Taroot inhabited by fishermen and cultivators of the date.
Tbe town of Katif is defended by a fort composed of the common Arab watch towers con
nected by walls, with a long face to the sea. A citadel, (the original fort) defends the north
angle, and contains a spring of fresh water. There are about 20 old guns of different
calibres in Katif and 8 in Taro t. Damaum Island is surrounded by unconnected watch
towers similar to those at Ul-Kumra, near Rasulkeima. The population of Katif has been
estimated at 25,000, but the chief part of them are connected with the Bahreinese, an un-
wanike race of Sheas, who have been for some generations in subjection to their more 'martial
neighbours. They pay a tax called J eh and, the price of exemption from military service.
The armed population of Katif and Taroot, have been reckoned at 10 } 000, accordino- to
detailed estimation at 9,000. They are of the tribe of whom 2,000 (the Beai
Asseyn) are horsemen 1,500. (They) were subsidized by Abdullah bin Saud, and employed
m his wars. They are all on occasions mounted (excepting 1,500 the Awazien) and retire
annually to Zihaya, Mecca and Hodiedah, residing at Katit in the date season, viz., from May
to December or January. Fresh water at Katif is abundant and the source of great fertility.
Bahrein.— prinoipd of these Islands, called also Awal, is the residence of the elder
Sheikh Solyman bin Achmed. In the smaller Island of Arad, resides Abdullah bin Achmed
who is charged with the defence of their possessions. These Islands are separated by a
channel 8 miles broad, which is a complete bed of shoals, at half tide requiring a pilot for a boat
drawing two feet water. The seaport towns oi Manawa ani Mahurrug are opposite to each
• The latter the most populous,
other. i»Ianawa in Bahrein, Mahurrug in Arad ♦
1 bey are fortified with towers, walls and ditches, and
contain each from forty to fifty old guns. Manawa is open to the sea. Mahurruo- besides its
walls is defended by a stone Ghurry, on a sandy point commanding the channel. "These towns
though near the shores are difficult of approach ; vessels of burthen,' anchor at a mile or £
distance. In the centre of Bahrein is the Fort of Ruffa where the Sheikh resides. This Island
is fertile and productive. Water supplied from the
interior but said to be unwholesome in the autumn
and spring. Arad is sterile and supplied with
water from sub ma rme springs. It might be un
tenable it this resource were cut off. Near Mahur
rug is a deep Khoor or cove called Sai, in which
are eight fathoms water. These Islands are ia
subjection to the Khalifah branch of the Utubi
tribe, who are variously estimated from 13 000 to
19,000 armed men. The probable estimate may
of
Names of tribes incorporated with the Utubis
Bahrein Khalifah (family of the Sheikh) : —
Bokuara ul Zayd, ul Sulatta, ul Bahauain, ul
Sjitid, ul Mahaudi, ul Man an*, ul Salain Maodi,
Zeayni, ulYusif, Hooshboog, Ba bummait, numerous —
some at Nahon and Fureiheh.
Ul Musellim once powerful on the Arab coast-
Doasir froTi the Shat el-Arab originally froir. Nejd.
Genahat, Moreghat retire to Ul Budu annually.
Total 1,00,000. Bahreinese cultivators not incor
porated.
be about 14,000 including Sedees, 500 are horsemen.
Aj
a Khoor
fair.—On the coast opposite to Bahrein is the small Island of Aiair at *
r or Inlet. It is protected by a small Fort or Ghurry with 80 Beni Khaled Arabs
is distant
The inhabitants a mixture of strangers, Ajair is the sea port of Hasa, from which it
of three days journey, no water on the road.
Zobarah. -On the coast, is dependant on Bahrein, protected by a tower and occnoied at
present merely for the security of fishermen that frequent it. The Utubis were once coUeoti-
vely established at Zobarah. It has a Kluor with three fathoms water which Bu^alahs ma