'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎73] (238/524)

AROUND THE SHORE LINE OF THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . 73
water, and back grounded by a series of Bedouins. Yet what is the
fact ? Here is a clean, active tow n, with a broad and open main ba
zaar, and numerous solid stone dwelling houses stretching along this
strand, and containing some 20,000 inhabitants, attracting Arab and
Persian merchants from all quarters by the equity of its rule and by
the freedom of its trade. It imports from Malabar and Bombay some
two lacs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. value, principally in longcloths, rice, coffee, pianks,
and spices. It exports some 800 horses at an average value of 300
rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. each ; 40,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. worth in wool; 60,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. of dates ; and
perhaps 40,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. worth m miscellanies, or say appioxiinatclv
nearly four lacs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. worth of exports against two and a half lacs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
imports. Of the horses, some 600 are shipped direct from Koweit,
the remaining 200 from Busreh. The horse dealers of Koweit have
their agents among the Shemma Anizee and other Nejd and miscella
neous tribes ; collecting accurate detailed information as to all the
pedigrees of horses, and as to all the foals coming on. 1 hese Agents,
towards the commencement of the Bombay season, in July and August,
bring down their purchased horses overland to Koweit; preferring
this tedious route, with its cost of protection by the way, to running
the gauntlet of the River Custom Houses, bad climate of Busreh, and
other inconveniences.
130. The sailors of Kow 7 eit are highly reputed, and there may be
some 4,000 of them afloat; bat Koweit sends to Muskat for boat
builders, as they are esteemed superior workmen. Among a long row
of native craft of all sizes, I observed two small boats made at Cochin.
131. Koweit* sends about 30 boats annually to Bombay, each
boat on an average of 100 tons, containing 2,000 baskets of dates,
worth say 1,000 French rials. Hence the date export of 30,000 rials
or 60,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. . The dates are received or shipped from the Shat-
ul-Arab. Horse forage comes in part down the Boobian Creek from
Bunder Zobeir. Mutton, wdrich is good, and milk, butter, &c. they
receive from the Bedouins, who Hock to the town, and are pitched in
tents or huts all along the outside of its walls. These Bedouins are
* 1 found English saddles much esteemed among the Arabs at Koweit, ami
it occurred to me, that if among the presents made by Government in this part
of the world to the Native Chiefs, useful articles like a saddle were included,
not only would the receivers benefit by them, but some want might be creat
ed, whose supply would involve subsequent trade.
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