"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٤‎١‎٥] (٥٤٢/٤٢٦)

MOHAMMAEEH—MUSEYIB —N ASIEIYEH 416
extends for about 600 yds., and along the top of it runs the Baghdad
Museyib is surrounded by palm-groves, and has the aspect of
a pleasant country town.
Supplies and Commerce. —Museyib stands amid extensive date
plantations: it is estimated that there are 40,000 palms in the
neighbourhood. It is also the centre of a good agricultural district,
and supplies of barley and other grain may be had : there are 25
grain stores. It was estimated (1903) that a month's supplies for
an infantry brigade and its transport could be obtained from Mu
seyib and its neighbourhood. There are 12 khans and 100 shops.
There are no local manufactures, and trade is inconsiderable, centring
mostly around travellers from Baghdad to Kerbela. In the busy
season 12 sofmehs are retained to bring up rice from the barrage
and to take down Baghdad merchandise to boats waiting below the
barrage. In the off-season 7 of these are released for up-stream
traffic. There are 20 sujehs (small boats).
Inhabitants. —The great majority of the people are Shiah Arabs,
but there are small Jewish, Persian, Turkish, and British-Indian
communities: there are no resident Christians. There is a floating
population of pilgrims on their way to Kerbela.
Administration and Authorities. —Museyib is the head-quarters of
a Nahiye in the Kaza of Kerbela. The Da'irat has many
estates in the neighbourhood, and has planted a number of masonry
enclosures : these are used as store-houses, but resemble military
forts.
NASIBIYEH. On the Euphrates, about 90 m, by river above
Kurna, and 27 m. above Suq esh-Shuyukh. Pop.: 10,000 (?)
P.O. T. (before the war the line from Basra to Baghdad the
Euphrates valley passed through Nasirlyeh). Bridge of boats.
River Routes.—
(i) For communication by the Euphrates see IV A, B.
(ii) For navigation of the Shatt el-Hai see V.
Land Routes.—
(i) To Basra. (See Boute 13 a, b.)
(ii) To Nejef. (See Route 12.)
(iii) To Kut el-Amara. (See 19.)
General Description. —Nasirlyeh stands among date-groves on
the 1. bank of the Euphrates about 5 m. above the mouth of the
Sadanawlyeh Canal leading to the Shatt el-Hai. The Turkish
boat-bridge (25 pontoons) was about 1-| m. above the town, opposite