'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎48] (213/524)

REMARKS ON THE TRIBES, &c.
50. Some clue may be found to the trade of Hushirc in the terras
upon which it is farmed by the Governor. Eoi tlie revenue system
throughout is one of farming, the terms of the annual contracts remaim
ing a constant quantity ; while it is only the douceur that varies.
51. The revenues of the Bushire government then are farmed* for
a gross amount of some 30,000 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , of which lo,000 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. may
represent the customs ; and the balance octior receipts, and land and
pole tax from the tribes and villagers.
52. Suppose the Governor to clear 10,000 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. on the year, and
5,000 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. more to stick to the fingers of underlings. Take tire
low rate of 5 per cent, (being that of the most favoured foreign nation)
as an average custom due on both exports and imports ; and the gross
value of the entire trade of Bushire, so estimated, would amount to
900,000 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. or about ^64,50,000 Sterling.
53. Trade reaches Bushire from Batavia, Mauritius, and in part
from India, in square-rigged vessels. But perhaps the bulk of the
Indian trade comes in native craft of from 100 to 200 and 300 tons
burthen.
54. A small portion of the imports are subsequently re-exported to
other Gulf ports in a smaller class of sea-going native craft. But the
large bulk of it finds its way into the interior of Persia by mule
caravan. After reaching Shiraz it divides, a part passing to Yezd,
and the remainder to Ispahan, with a sprinkling round these cities.
55. A caravan shows large, but there may be a good deal of bell
tinkling under the pony’s neck, without much wool or cotton on the
mules’ backs. It would take some 3,000 mules to carry off the cargo
of a small vessel of 500 tons. And it is probable that a year’s traffic,
along a well-frequented Persian road, might be stowed away in the
* One of the consequences of this system of farming is, that the agriculturalist
is called on for a much larger rent than the State receives from him. E. g-, A-
farms a Governorship from the Shah, for an amount B-fC the douceur. A in turn
farms his circles of villages: of which D takes one circle. D again sublets a
hamlet or one of his villages to E, who deputes F to collect the rents. Each or
course expects a profit on his contract. And consequently the auriculturalist, iu-
stead of having to pay the amount which benefits the state, B is called on forms
share of B-fiC ( + D- 1 -E’s -{- F’s profits). He cannot pay ; F complains to E an
E to A who is dunned for his contract sum from the capital. A gives to hh su >