Page 601 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

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BESIDESGY AND MU8CAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOB. 1889-00.

Tho Residency Agent at 8hargah has furnished the following estimate of
tho numbor of pearl-fishing boats sailing from Pirate Coast ports:—
RamsB • • • 10
RftB-el-Klurimah , . . 86
Jczirnt-cl-Za’ab • • 26
Umm-el-Kawain „ • 66
Himriyah • . • 20
A] man . « 40
Shargah, Hi j rah, and Khan 860
Debay and Jumeyra 960
Aba Dhabi and dependencies 865

Total • 1,840

The various Chiefs derive the chief part of their income from taxes levied
on the boats and their crews. These taxes are of two kinds called “ Taraz ” and
"Nowb.” The former is a sum varying from four to seven dollars, levied
from each individual of the crew and divers of pearl boats. By the “ Nowb99
the Shaikhs receive one-half of the profits of every boat sailing from their ter­
ritories. Boats proceeding to the Red Sea fisheries pay one sum varying from
30 to 60 dollars.
8.—EL BAHRAIN.
The islands of Bahrain have continued to enjoy tranquillity and pros­
perity under the rule of Shaikh Eesa-bin-Ali.
A number of families of the Naeem and Salateh tribes crossed from El-
Eatr and have settled in Bahrain.
In the last year’s report allusion was made to the excavations of Tumuli of
the ancient necropolis on Awal Island by Mr. and Mrs. Bent who, it may now
be remarked, consider that their researches went to confirm the statements of
ancient writers that the Bahrain Islands were the original home of the Phoeni­
cians. These islands have peculiarities, such as the warm springs and bright
running streams, in contrast with the neighbouring arid deserts, which we may
easily conceive to have peopled the groves with deities and caused them to be
regarded as the <c Holy Islands.” A celebrity of the sort would account for the
growth on Awal of the vast necropolis referred to.
4.—EL-KATR.
The feud between Shaikh Jasim-bin-Mohammed, Bin Thani, and the Chief
of Abu Dhabi, has continued unabated, and the former’s eagerness to strike a
blow at his enemy led him to despatch some boats, with armed men and muni­
tions of war to El-Sila, a place without the recognized boundary of Katr.
Shaikh Jasim, when called upon to reply to this charge, attempted to justi­
fy his action by asserting the place to be within his jurisdiction. Under ordera
of the Government of India, Jasim was warned that a repetition of similar
irregularities would lead to serious consequences.
The Turkish garrison of El-Bidaa was, during the year, reinforced, and it
is understood that the commandant has orders to repel any attack on the town
by Shaikh Jaaim's enemies, but not to operate beyond four hours' march from
the walls.
Shaikh Jasim has the title of “ Kaim-Makam * or Local Governor of Katr*
on the part of the Turkish Government, and is supposed to be under the oiden
of the Muteserrif of Hasa. In July the latter official, Akif Pasha, visited El.
3idaa in a Turkish gunboat, and tbe first interview between His Excellency