'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part II: Geographical and descriptive materials, Section II: Western Side of the Gulf' [‎74v] (148/280)

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south-east, is narrow with an average depth in midchannel of about 25 feet, hut
^either it nor the basin have been thoroughly examined. The depth of the
basin, which is 4 miles long, 1 to 2 miles broad and perfectly sheltered from
all winds, exceeds in many places 20 feet. The Khor communicates on the
north-west with the open sea by a long, narrow and shallow channel which
passes between the towns of Muharrak and Manama.
KARBABAD.— Village close to eastward of Portuguese Port.
KASHASH.—Rocky reef off Kalali village on which are 2 fresh water
springs.
KHALID (BENI).—Arab tribe at Bahrein.
KHALIFA (AL).—Tribe to which ruling family at Bahrein belong.
KHASEIFA.— Small rocky islet off Muharrak Island about 3| cables
north of Dir; between it and shore are 3 fresh water springs, uncovered at low
tide, from which village is supplied with water.
KHATHA.—Town mentioned by Ritter (vol. 12, page 395) as belonging
to Bahrein and being a place where good spears are made.
KHOR FASHT.—Reef of coral about 6J miles north-west of Bahrein
Island. On it is remarkable spring 3 feet below sea at low water from which
Whish obtained 700 gallons of perfectly fresh water in a day in 1859. Pearl
fishers use this spring in the season, but in the cold weather it is closed up
by the natives.
KIBLIYA (AL). —Name given by natives to Portuguese Fort.
KOEFIH (UMM).—Place with wells 20 fathoms deep, from which drink
ing water is brought to Manama.
MAH AM A (AL KABIR).—Village on east coast of Bahrein Island, short
distance south of south end of Sitra Island. (Whish spells the name Mahamir,
and Admiralty Plan No. 20 gives Mahana).
MAHAMA (AS SAGHIR).—Small fishing village at south end of Sitra
Island.
MAHANDE (AL).—Arab tribe at Bahrein.
MAHTR (BIT).—Fresh water spring from which Muharrak town is
chiefly supplied. It lies in sea £ mile east-south-east of fort and has always a
fathom of salt water over it. Whish says the water is warm and is drawn off
by a bamboo with hose attached.
MANAMA.—Town. (1) At the north-east corner of Bahrein Island in lat-
26 u 14' N. and long. 50° 35' E. (2) At west end in 1862 was large square mass
of white building forming residence of Governor of town. Palgrave found first
aspect dingy* quarter next beach being three-fourths occupied by sailors* and
fishermen’s cabins. He gives dimensions of town as 1|- miles in length (accord
ing to Bent nearly 2 miles and to Gulf Pilot only f mile) along beach and $
mile deep inland; and level as 12 feet and less above sea. Cabins of palm-leaf
formed majority of houses; they were of varying size and arranged mostly in
streets and rows. There were some houses of brick and stone in Persian (Bent
calls it Saracenic borrowed from Hasa) style with latticed windows and balconies,
but ^ were falling into decay. At centre of town was market-place, a covered
square with labyrinth of shop lanes, some vaulted, surrounding it. There were
at least 20 coffee-houses in the town, mostly near the beach ; and several mosques
(Bent calls them barnlike with low minarets) mostly Shiah, rest Sunni. Behind
town was level plain of saltish soil, barren and often swampy. Gulf Pilot adds
that landing is inconvenient except at high water, there being (1898) no piers
or wharves; the shore reef being very shelving boats cannot get within mile
of the beach at low water and donkeys are used to land passengers and unload
goods. (3) The Sheikh’s house at the west end is a semi-fortified building. (4)
Douglas gives population as 25,000, Gulf Pilot as 8,000 and Zwemer as 10,000.
(5) Many Banyans. (6) Exports consist chiefly of pearls and dates, but also
of hides, cotton sail-cloth, grain, mats, wool, cattle and a few fine horses and