'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎38] (203/524)

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remarks ok the tribes, &c.
and for this he must in some degree settle. Society harmonizes to this
level. Trade is possible; corn is sold ; abbas are woven and exported ;
dates are planted; the appetite for trade grows by what it feeds on;
huts of reeds replace tents ; and one sees in then feeble efforts at reed
ornamentation, and in their rough twisting of thick reed rope for their
bunds, the possible germ of some of the architectural efforts of our
own savage ancestors. Man at first accepts from Nature what she
spontaneously affords : and feebly, through thousand of years, tlhnlvs
towards artificial means.
19. Yet higher in the scale, you find the Arab flourishing as an all
experienced and wealthy merchant in a town, or administering a well
ordered and comfortable rural district.
20. What recurs to one in passing among these people is, that
here before you is society in the making, or in its transitional state
towards civilization. It is probable that the law under which human
society now evolves, is that under which it has always evolved. The
circumstances around you may then be data for the elucidation of a,
true theory. They are at least facts fresh from nature.
21. As to the political condition of the Dorack territory, it is really
tributary to Persia, paying I believe a considerable sum into the
Shuster Provincial Treasury. Its element of greatest commercial
strength and military weakness lies in its bountiful supply of water. It
would be difficult to find a territory of equal extent, where fresh water
containing sufficient silt, is poured along the plain in all directions
through channels so numerous and so easily manageable. But it was
by damming the exits of this water towards the sea, that the Persians
flooded the country and reduced the Chaabs.
22. The district of Mahomera originally formed part of the Dorack
Chieftainship. But the present Sheikh of Mahomera separated his
clan, fostered the naturally excellent position of his fort for com
merce, and has since remained at feud with his old Chief. When I
was at Dorack, both Sheikhs had been called before the Prince
Governor for the settlement of their mutual grievances.
23. As to the commerce of the Chaabs it is limited, and flows in
different channels, according to the season of the year; some of it
reaches Mahomera via the Iluffar, and is mixed up with the trade of
that port, which in turn is sometimes included under the general trade