'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part II: Geographical and descriptive materials, Section II: Western Side of the Gulf' [‎88v] (176/280)

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by nomnds and water very bad except at one stage, (c) Ilofhuf to Katar, about
1*20 miles, entirely across desert but water is procurable. Journey occupies
3 or days. By this route communication is maintained between Hofhuf
and Bidaa garrison, {d) Route (Palgrave says there is only one) from Hasa
to Nejd across Jebel Toweik. It is all over desert and water is scarce.
Journey for caravans occupies about 10 days. More detailed information
will be found in Bombay Records, Selection XXIV, pages 111-115 and
in Appendix to Douglas’ “ Journey from India to the Mediterranean.” (6)
Trade is dealt with in the articles on component districts. (7) (a) Sadlier,
1319, estimated population of plain at 75,000. According to Ross, population
declined from 85,000 in 1820 to only 20,000 in 1865 ; but Cassim Izeddin (1897)
estimated it at no loss than 500,000, residing in 2 towns (Mubarraz and
Hofhuf) and 36 villages. (This last estimate is the more excessive if it was
intended to apply, as seems probable, to the district of Hasa Proper and not to
the division of Hasa). According to Turkish official report, quoted by Zwemer,
total population of province is 250,000. (5) According to Palgrave (1865)
the original settlers in Hasa were the Kahtanic Arab tribes of Beni Khalid
and Beni Hajir, followed by the Eezarah, the clans of Kelb, Belee, Tenookh and
various branches of the Kodaa. Douglas simply mentions agriculturists and
Bedouins, of whom the former are a majority in Hasa proper. Among the
Bedouins he mentions the Ejman, Beni Hajir, Manasir, Al Morrah and
Mutahir. Niebuhr described the whole district as belonging, in his day, to
the Beni Khalid who appear since that time to have declined in power. The
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Pilot speaks of the Beni Hajir as occupying the country round
Katif and of “ the remnant of the once powerful tribe ” of the Beni Khalid
as now being incorporated, between Ras al Gliar and Koweit, with the Al Ejman;
also of the Al Morra and Mukhatiba as two other tribes in the neighbourhood
of Katif. Isiebuhr mentioned also families of Turkish descent as owning con
siderable land but taking no share in the government, which was at that epoch
Arab, (c) The inhabitants (of the villages ?) are good sized and well propor
tioned ; they are sallow and less muscular than the Nejdeans, but as much
superior to them in intelligence as they are inferior in military qualities and
physical force. They wear gold and silk without scruple and smoke tobacco,
while the turhan, Oman vest and light red cloak of the east coast frequently
replace the kefiya and Arab smock. They are fond of literature and poetry
and indulge in pleasure parties, song and dissipation. Their features are regular
but not so marked as those of Nejdeans. The Bedouins are averse to all forms
of settled government and unlikely ever to fight for the Turks but would
probably be willing to attack an invader for sake of plunder, {d) Niebuhr says
most of the inhabitants of the towns, especially near the coast, are Shiahs ;
while the Bedouins and villagers of the interior are Sunnis. According to him
there are many Sabaean Christians and a few Jews, (e) (f) (y). The Arabic
of Hasa is less copious, pure and flexible than that of Nejd. (£) (i) Douglas
estimates the fighting strength of the Bedouin tribes at 4,600 men. (/) Nation
al arm of the Bedouins is the lance, but about 15 per cent, have breech-loading
rifles, mostly Martinis, and some of the remainder muzzle-loaders of different
kinds. (8) The Mutasarrif is appointed from Constantinople but is under Waif
of Basra. In the districts of Hasa and Katif, and, perhaps, though to a lesser
extent in the southern part of the Katar peninsula, Turkish authority is firmly
established. The poor agriculturists are easily kept under control by military
force, and fear of the Turk is very real; but both agriculturists and merchants
are disaffected and favourable to extension of British influence. Regular
garrison in 1896 consisted of troops of 6th Army Corps relieved periodi
cally from Baghdad, viz., 2 squadrons cavalry, 1 battery of light guns drawn
by mules and four battalions of infantry. One battalion infantry was at Bidaa,
all other regulars at Hofhuf. Local Commandant had rank of Lieutenant-Colo
nel. There were also a special corps of 50 Bedouins, mounted on camels and
armed with Sniders to act as guides, etc., and six buluks or companies
of Dhabitias of which four were mounted. The Dhabitias are specially
raised for local service and are an armed police, occupying small posts
in the populous parts and furnishing escorts for travellers and caravans.
Of the four mounted buluks, three were Arabs and Kurds mixed, and the
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