'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part II: Geographical and descriptive materials, Section II: Western Side of the Gulf' [‎125v] (250/280)

60
80 miles south and slightly east of Basra, almost 180 miles west by north of
Bushahr and nearly 2b0 miles north-north-west of Bahrein. (2) Town stands
on loose sandstone covered with sand on southern shore of Ivoweit Bay, about
^ of the way from its entrance at Ras-al-Arz to its head at Jahara, and faces
north-west. Greatest length is about 1 mile from north-east to south-west and
breadth is between J and a mile. Inland a desert of white sand stretches
away from the very walls: town and surroundings are almost destitute of
verdure and cultivation, but there are a few date-trees. There are some stono
bouses, but most are of sundried brick. They are occasionally faced with
coarse chunam, but exteriors are bare and uniform ; usual design is a central
courtyard surrounded by chambers looking into it, with flat roofs. Streets aro
wider than at Maskat or Bushahr and some have a gutter down the middle.
Belly described the place as clean and active with a broad and open main bazaar.
Cassim Izeddin (1897) considered the streets narrow, but not very dirty ; he com
mented, however on, the absence of latrines except in the houses of notables and
on the abuse of the sea-beach and plain behind the town and even of roofs and
streets. There is a large suburb of mat huts outside town-wall on south side,
near main gate ; this is point of arrival and departure of up-country caravans
and quarter chiefly frequented by Bedouins who do most of their trade here.
Shoal water extends about 8 cables off the town, and the beach dries out to a con
siderable distance, but at high water the sea washes up to the houses ; the native
boats are hauled up on the beach, inside substantial breakwaters of loose stone
which form tidal harbours. Landing at low tide is inconvenient. Town is said
to contain about 3,000 houses, 500 shops, 3 caravanserais, 6 coffee-houses, 3
schools and 4 mosques^ as well as numerous warehouses and stores. About
30 new bouses are built and 40 new shops opened every year (1902). Climate
distinctly good as compared with many ports in Persian Gnlf. In December
and January it is bracing in mornings and evenings and never unpleasantly hot.
In hot months north-west wind is tempered by blowing across bay. Pever
practically unknown and dysentery and ophthalmia rare. Nights are said to
be cool in the hot weather. (3) In 1832 town was defended on side next
desert by wall not one foot thick, having 3 gates, each protected by 2 honey
combed guns. In 1902 town was surrounded by low wall with towers, which
however were not in a good condiiion for defence. About 1 mile outside town
is line of sandhills and broken ground which could be made strong enough to-
resist any probable attack. (4) Population appears to be regularly and rapidly
increasing. In 1839 or earlier it was estimated at 6,000 ; in 1^59 at 8,000 ; in
1863 at 15,000 to 20,000 (Peliy); in 1897 at 30,000 (Cassim Izeddin) - r in 1901
at 30,000 to 40,000 (Dowding). Zwemer however (1900) makes population only
10,000 to 12,000. (5) The town is almost entirely Arab ; most of people (?)
belong to Uttoobee tribe. Almost all are Sunnis ; there are no Wahabis and a few
Persian merchants are the only Shiahs. Beligious toleration prevails and 50
Bushahr Jews here have a synagogue of their own. Inhabitants are chiefly en
gaged in trade or navigation, and Pelly calculated that perhaps 4,000 were sailors;
hut their boat-builders then (1863) came from Maskat. They are warlike and
united. About 200 pilgrims annually proceed hence to Mecca, sometimes by
Hail, sometimes by Aneyza; and about 50 go by sea. (6) Koweit has no pro
ducts or manufactures and its prosperity proceeds entirely from trade, shipping,
ship-building, fishing, pearl-fishing and, to a small extent, cattle breeding Goods
tor shipment to Bombay are collected here from other Gulf ports and similarly
it is a centre from which foreign merchandise is distributed. It is favoured by
comparatively healthy climate, and by position, a creek (? Khors As-
Sabiya and Umm Kasr) leading hence to within 3 2 miles of Basra.
There is considerable trade by land with Syria and Central Arabia. An
annual caravan of 3,000 camels and 250 men goes to Damascus, and horses
brought thence which in turn are shipped to Bombay. About 40 caravans
from Central Arabia come in during year, average strength 200 men and 500
camels ; their arrival is irregular, sometimes two a week, sometimes one a month.
I iesc mng hoiscs, ghi and wool and take in exchange rice, coffee, su^ar cloth
iron, petroleum, etc. Local Bedouins bring in horses, cattle, milk, butte°r, truffles!
camel-dung, etc , and purchase dates, cloth, arms and other goods. There is also
an active coasting trade; much of Gulf carrying trade centres in Koweit and