'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOL. III. PART I: A to K' [‎79r] (162/1278)

} ARA—’ARA
73
tics of the imports via Bushire and the ports of ’Arabistan (to which a great
deal of the Bushire trade has lately been deflected) for the last five years.
The figures have been converted at the rate of 50 krans to the 11. :—
—
1906-07.
1907-08.
1908-09.
1909-10.
1910-11.
Bushire
Arabistan .
.
£
863,842
286,624
£
1,052,043
284,747
£
793,465
261,859
£
717,091
300,000*
£
675,614
537,079t
Total
1,150,466
1,336,790
1,055,324
1,017,091
1,212,693
It will thus be seen that while the Bushire imports have steadily declined
during the last three years, the ’Arabistan figures have increased sufficiently
to render the total fairly stable.
The currency is that of Persia, with the silver krdn as a basis, and nickel
and copper coins of smaller values. The krdn has a fluctuating value be
tween annas 4 and annas 4|, the coin chiefly in circulation being a piece of
hrdns 2. Besides the 1 and 2 krdn pieces there are a limited number of silver
5 krdn pieces in use. The nickel coins are pieces of the value of 1 and
2 shdhis, respectively ; 20 shdhis going to 1 krdn. Copper pieces are called
'pul-i-sidh, which are subject to great fluctuations in value ; though the unit
of these coins may be taken to be worth 2 shdhis. The tumdn is an ima
ginary unit, though of the fixed value of krdns 10. Besides these the Turkish
lira, a gold piece of a fluctuating value of about Rs. 14, and the Indian rupee
have no difficulty in finding a market of exchange. The only fixed weight
is the misqdl, which is used as a standard for comparing different weights ;
100 misqdls are equal to 1 lb. avoirdupois. The commonest weight in use
is the man, which is extremely variable. Those that come under notice in
the province are—
■ .
Man-i-Bazar
(Muhammareti
) =148
lbs.
avoirdupois.
Man-i-Sif
( do
) =160
lbs.
do.
Man-i-Basrah
( do.
) =168
lbs.
do.
Man-i-81iushtar
(Nasirieh
) = 15*4871bs.
do.
Man-i-Ismd’ilieh
( do.
) =392
lbs.
do.
Man-i-Shdh
( do.
) =13-25 lbs.
do.
Man-i-Tabrlz
(Imperial Customs) =6’675 lbs.
do.
Besides these, Dizful, Fallahieh, Hawizeh and Ramuz each have their
local man. Each man is uniformly divided into 8 charaks. Grain is
nominally sold by the kharwdr, which contains 50 Shah or 100 Tabriz man.
The unit of linear measure is the zar, which is as nearly as possible 41 inches.
The unit of square measurement is the jarlb, which has a superficial area
of about-2| acres, though n practice it is somewhat variable.
Climatic conditions.—See ’Arabistan (Northern).
Communications. —The Persian telegraph line connects Muhammareh
with Ahwaz and that place with Shushtar ; while a line runs from Ahwaz
* Exclusive of Analo-Persian Oil Company’s machinery, etc.
t Exclusive of Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s machinery of 67,144J.