Page 115 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat

Selections from the Records, 1818-1856 105

BAHREIN* 291

Khalccfa bin Ilumeed bin Abdoolla bin Ahmed A1 Khaleefa, age
thirty-four years.
Esai, brother of preceding, age thirty-two years.
Ali bin Nassiv bin Abdoolia bin Ahmed, grandson of ex-chief, age
twcnly-scYcn years.
Ilusscin, brother of preceding, age twenty-five years,
Mahomed bin Mubaruk bin Abdoolla bin Ahmed, grandson of
cx-chicf, age sixteen years.
The above, with their followers, hold possession of Damaum, on
the main land opposite to Bahrein, under the protection of the Wahabcc
ruler, Ameer Fysul, from whom they receive a sum of money annually
for their maintenance.
During the past fifteen years, a severe contest has been sustained,
with occasional intermissions, between these competitors for the chief-
ship of Bahrein, to the almost complete ruin of the trade, and prosperity
of the island.
(V.—The Chief of Bahrein is independent, but pays Zukat, or
Whether Tributary or religious tithe, to the Wahabcc ruler, at the
not; if so, to whom, ami rate of 4,000 crowns per annum.
Annual Amount of Tribute.
V.—One hundred thousand crowns, derived from the produce of the
extensive landed properly in the possession of
Estimated Gross Annual
Revenue. the ruling family, and the taxes on land, and on
boats engaged in the pearl fishery. No customs or duties on exports
or imports are levied at Bahrein.
VI.—The territory of Bahrein consists of the two islands known by
. that name, and the line of coast extending from
and°lestimated Arca^m the bottom of the bight in which they arc situat-
Squnvc Miles. ed to Khorc-al-Adced, on the other side of the •
promontory of Ras Tanoorah.
VII.—The larger island, which is thirty miles long, and of an
average width of six miles, is generally low,
Prevailing Nature of the
Soil, Mode of Irrigation, though at its centre a range of small hills may
the Couutry! 1''CnU’rC3 °f bc distinguished. The soil'is fertile, and plenti-
fully watered by numerous springs, rising to the
surface of the ground. The smaller island, with the exception of one
or two date “plantations, admits of no cultivation. The Coast of Guttur
partakes of the general character of the eastern shores of Arabia, and is
barren and unproductive.
VIII.—Although Bahrein, owing to constant internal dissensions,
Natural and Industrial of ltttc years greatly fallen off in population,
Resources. and tlie wealth of its inhabitants, it still main­
tains a thriving trade, of which the exports and imports may be roughly
estimated each at five or six lakhs of crowns, and sends from 1,000 to
3,200 boats to the pearl fishery.