'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎72] (237/524)

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TRIBES, &c.
126. The least erroneous
notion I can convey of the ex
terior trade of Kateef, and of
the Nejd coast line in general
is as per margin.
the class of those recognisino*
Turkish suzerainty, but pratically independent, is Koweit ; and the
history of this settlement is, in my opinion, so illustrative of what may
be done in the Gulf by common sense applied to the creation of trade,
that I shall venture to occupy a moment of the Government
time with a brief summary of its history, as jotted down in my
Diarv, during my recent journey, from the lips of the present Chief
' and other Sheikhs of Koweit.
128. The family of the present Sheikh have ruled at Koweit some
five generations, or about 250 years ; for as these men live to the good
old age of 120 years, their generations are, of course, nearly double
ours; or about 50 years each. Originally, the Sheikh’s progenitors
dwelt in a small fort called Moomgussur, situate at the head of the
Kore Abdullah, near Bunder Zobier. They were the pirates of the
North of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and lower channels of the Shat-ul-Arab.
But about 250 years ago the Busreh authorities attacked and expelled
them. The original Sheikh then came down the Boobian Creek with
his followers, and debouched on the bay, at present known as that of
Koweit or Grane. Crossing the bay, he settled on its Southern shore;
and there erected a Fort or Kote : hence the name Kote or Koweit-
The term Grane is rather applied to the shore line of the entire hay, from
its resemblance to the curve formed by two horns—Keor or Ghern,
meaning horn. The settlement w r as subsequently increased by the son
of the founder, who erected the longer portion of the present walls?
which, however, have since been again extended along the shore line?
as the increase of population from time to time demanded.
129. Perhaps no conjuncture of circumstances could have seenie^
less favourable to the creation of a thriving commercial settlement, than
the arrival of a band of Arab pirates on a barren shore, with brackish
Continental merchants, these articles, especially hides, horns, and wool, were rendered
valuable, and demand rapidly increased.
Hie same remark applies to Sessamum seed at Lamoo.
72 REMARKS ON THE
Vide appended Statements of Exports and
Imports to and from Kateef, Lahsa,
cixid 13 us i lire*
Total trade of Kateef maybe annually
50,000 Dollars.
127. The next port falling under