'Précis of the Affairs of the Persian Coast and Islands, 1854-1905 By J A Saldanha, BA LL B' [‎10r] (19/212)

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Bushire. For the past two months Bushire lias been crowded with mendicants form all
parts and since the outbreak of the cholera in the middle of February^ many of the
absolutely poor have succumbed to starvation. The local authorities have attempted to
induce the poor to leave the place by bestowal of money and dates, but without success.
The destitute have either returned or others have taken their place.
Cholera and small pox prevail at Bushire ; the maximum of deaths reported in one
day is forty-five and the average number daily about fourteen or fifteen."
10. In July 1871 Sir C. Alison reported continued prevalence of famine and
Political A., July 187., Nos. 463-64. accepted pecuniary assistance from a
Charitable Committee m India.
11. In January 1872 the Shah formed a Relief Committee. In the mean-
General b ., F.bruar, .s?., No S . 88-90. ''"I 6 donations were received from London
and India and a famine Relief Fund was
started. A committee of European gentlemen with the Resident in the Persian
Gulf as chairman took over the administration.
12. Between July 1871 and February 1872 the receipts amounted to 148,507
General E., April .872, Nos. .JS-So. kranS i the expenditure tO 33,775 kranS.
On 15th August 1872 the Famine Relief practically closed. The committee
submitted a statement of accounts showing a balance of 9,713 krans exclusive
of a Reserve Fund for orphans amounting to Rs. 3,000 or 7,260 krans (and
^"1,000 eliminated as unavailable).
13. The following brief account In the Gulf Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Administration Report
Volume m of 1873. 0 ^871-72, especially in connection with
the work done by the Relief Committee,
is interesting :—
" Every endeavour has been made to counteract the effect of the famine which has
raged with such dreadful effect for the last two years.
Bushire seemed to be the place where the poor from all parts of the country flocked,
and all our endeavours to relieve the distress were futile. In fact the condition of affairs
seemed irremediable. The people who arrived here were footsore and in a most emaciated
state, some having just sufficient strength to reach the precincts of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. and
there drop dead.
After having failed in distributing food in cooked form, the plan of distributing copper
coin was resorted to, but this was also found to be impracticable, and had to be abe ndoned
on account of the vast assemblages, the confusion and the consequent abuse of the
charity.
The Relief Committee in Bushire eventually discovered that employment of labour in
making roads in the country, scavenging in the town, and the establishment of an
orphanage and infirmaries for the aged and helpless men and women were the best means
of meeting the evil, and this course has been attended by every satisfactory results.
Bread is daily given to the poor in Subzabad, where the women and children from
most of the villages congregate.
Relief in cash has also been afforded to many persons of respectability, whom the
famine had reduced to poverty.
Ispahan, Shiraz, and Kazeroon have also been aided by the funds of the Relief
Committee at Bushire.
The rainfall has been good, and the prospects of a plentiful harvest are entertained,
although the breadth of land brought under the plough is comparatively limited.
The funds at the disposal of the Relief Committee will, it is believed, enable them
to meet satisfactorily the wants of the poor for the next five months. But fears are enter
tained that even after the lapse of this period it will be difficult to throw over those who
have hitherto been provided for, and in this view the attention of the Relief Committee
in London, Calcutta and Bombay has been drawn to the fact that more funds may still be
needed.
Khoja Abdul Ghanny Meah, C.S.I., and his son Assad Oollah of Decca, have merited
the thanks of the Relief Committee at Bushire and the gratitude of the poor in this place
for being the first to extend charity to the unfortunate famine-striken of these regions.
Mr. Vurjeevundass Madhoudass and three others have also contributed liberally.