"دليل بلاد فارس، الجزء III، وهو يتضمن محافظة فارس، لورستان، عربستان، خوزستان، يزد، كرمانشاه، أردلان، كردستان" [و‎‎٨‎٠] (٦٨٦/١٦٤)

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estimated from 10,000 to 15,000, but it is probably about 12,000 in
quiet and prosperous times. These are a mixed race between the Persian
and Arab, possessing- in common the characteristic features and manners
of both intimately blended.
Stack (1882) says—
“ Bushahr is the best-built town on the Persian coast and shows some
signs of care and improvement. A good sea-wall runs along a great
part of its seaward face, and there are small stone quays where a
buggalow of 60 or 80 tons can lie and discharge cargo. It is said that
an expenditure of £50,000 would enable large ships to approach much
nearer to the shore than is possible at present. Long sandy flats and
banks extend nearly 3 miles to sea; but, when the tide is out, one can
distinguish a channel winding among them, which needs only dredg
ing to make it practicable. Under proper management, Bushahr
might be made a place of considerable trade. The custom's duties
have been increasing of late years, and are now valued at 60,000
tumans (about £24,000) a year; but the want of a good road to
Shiraz prevents Bushahr from assuming the place it is entitled to as a
principal feeder of Persia.
“ Bushahr is garrisoned by two companies of infantry and a battery.
The artillery consists of eight bronze field-guns, very dirty, and four
carronades, or mortars.
“ The town has been encompassed by a wall, which, however, has dis
appeared on the seaward side, and is vanishing on the landward side
also. The Residency buildings are situated at the eastern end of the
town, close by the beach.
“ The water supply of Bushahr is very bad indeed. There is none at
all inside the walls ; all has to be brought from outside. It is found
at a depth of 12 feet all over the plain ; but, in general, is brackish,
though in many places, particularly near the date groves, it is perfectly
pure. The wells which supply the inhabitants of Bushahr are on a
slight rising-ground, 2 miles south-east of the town, and there the
water is very brackish and has a purgative effect on all strangers,
though after a time this power is lost, and then only at the springs is
its taste recognised to be different from pure water. It is not uncom
mon to have to dig 30 feet in some places before water is reached, three
layers of soft stone being passed through. The quantity, however, is
unlimited. The price of water in Bushahr ranges from 10 to 25
kirans per donkey-load according to the quality. A force landing on
the peninsula in presence of an enemy could obtain sufficient water for
immediate wants from the island of Karak. Water of good quality
and sufficient quantity for a large force is to be found at the village of
Jufra, 1^ miles south of the town/'’
Captain Wray, who accompanied the expeditionary force in 1857,
considers Bushahr to be in a very strong position ; its rear rests on a
perpendicular scarp towards the sea, its right front and rear faces a
high thick rampart, covered by a deep ditch. It was then out of order,
but a little trouble would have rendered it very strong. It is acces
sible in almost every part by severe climbing, but it could be scarped
anywhere, and a few hundred Europeans or sepoys with guns could