"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٤‎٠‎٩] (٥٤٢/٤٢٠)

KUENA—KUT EL-AMAEA—MOHAMMAKEH 409
General Description. —Kut stands along the river bank in a small
frino'e of gardens and date plantations irrigated by It has
one mosque with a minaret and a Jewish synagogue. There is a row
of fairly well-built houses along the river front, the Turkish
barracks being the square building at the west end. In the neigh
bourhood of the town on either bank there is a belt of country
in which barley and wheat are cultivated. The Turkish boat-bridge
before the present war consisted of 36-41 pontoons, the number
varying with the rise and fall of the river. There is a quay suitable
for river steamers.
Supplies and Commerce. —The town before the war was the centre
of a considerable grain traffic, corn from the Euphrates country being
brought here by way of the Shatt el-Arab for distribution in the
Tigris region. The Dd'irat es-Samyeh had large grain-stores here.
Supplies from local produce are said to be scarce, but some barley,
wheat, oats, maize, and mash are cultivated in the neighbourhood,
and there is a considerable export of liquorice.
Woollen rugs {Jiaramdt) and coarse carpets {zuU) are manufactured
here. The trade is mostly with the Kurdish towns of Jessan and
Bedrah, and is not important. There are about 200 shops, 10 khans,
and 8 cafes. _ -ri -i*
Inhabitants. —A large proportion of the population are Earn
Kurds. The rest are Shiah Arabs, except 100 Jews and a few
Christians. The surrounding country belongs to the Beni Eabi'ah.
The inhabitants of the town for the most part cultivate the soil
and breed cattle, or else are dealers in grain or wool, and brokers
and shopkeepers. The Kurds are porters and carriers, the Jews
goldsmiths, and the Christians liquorice-merchants.
Administration and Authorities. —Kut was the head-quarters of
a Kaza of the same name in the Baghdad Sanjaq of the of
Baghdad. There were a few Turkish police, a harbour-master, and
a custom-house. Customs, Tobacco Eegie, and the Public Debt
Department are each represented by a Mamur. Before the war
the Turks were maintaining here a garrison of some 200 men to
keep the Beni Lam in order.
MOHAMMAREH. The capital of Arabistan, on the Karun •
Kiver about 1 m. above its junction with the Shatt el-Arab.
Lat. 30° 25', Long. 48° 09' (at flagstaff of British Consulate).
Pop. 12,000-13,000. P.O. T. (connexion from British Consulate
with Fao—Basra Line: connexion by single wire (Persian) with