"تقرير عسكري حول عربستان (المنطقة رقم ١٣)." [ظ‎‎٤‎٨] (٣٦٦/١٠١)

86
Reraue.
the Inland Exchange resulting chiefly from trade with Isfahan
and Teheran.
Although there is a small amount of gold currency in cireu-
lation, the currency of Persia may be taken to be entirely on the
silver basis, the kran being practically pure silver. The note
issue of the Imperial Bank of Persia is also favourably received
in all parts of Persia. A large number of rupee notes is m circu-
lation in the Persian Gulf Ports and a limited cjuantity of silver
rupees.
The local head of the Persian Revenue Department, who is
appointed from Teheran and is known by the title of Pishkar ,
has his headquarters at Nasiri, with subordinate offices at Dizful
and Shushtar. The whole revenue of ’Arabistan is paid to the
Persian Government through this official.
As regards the revenue of Northern ’Arabistan, which com
prises the towns of Dizful and Shushtar and the contiguous
estates, direct revenue is paid on estates at a sum fixed on each
estate by the former “ Mustaufis,” which has never been altered,
and indirect revenue consisting of taxes on industries, shops,
mills, indigo works, ferries, etc., most of which are farmed out
annually to the highest bidders, is collected by the local revenue
heads of Shushtar and Dizful. The total sum collected from
'both direct and indirect revenues amounts to about 50,000
tomans annually.
As regards the revenue of Southern ’Arabistan, which in
cludes all the Arab tribes whether resident in the northern or
southern province, the whole is collected by the Shaikh of
Muhammarah through his agents and paid by him to the
“ Pishkar ” at Nasiri. According to revenue books, vide follow
ing list, this sum should amount to approximately 75,000 tomans
but in practice the Shaikh pays from 30,000 to 40,000 tomans,
the difference being due to pensions and deductions on account
of expenditure incurred by the Shaikh in maintaining law and
order in Southern ’Arabistan. The revenue paid from this
district was assessed at a fixed sum per district or tribe many
years ago, which has never been altered.
* Jx 6 s y stem of revenue collection in ’Arabistan is*out
of date and it is not unlikely that the American Financial Advi-
visers now in Teheran will shortly take steps towards improving