Page 200 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

2

that tin’s district remained permanently estranged from Islam, a heap of moral
and religious ruins, of Carmathinn and esoteric doctrines, whore naturalism, to
use ft modern phrase for a very old thing, and materialism were raised up and
confused with Shiyai transmigrations and incarnations, with the now reviving
relies of Sahaeism and with the fatichism common among the lower aud un-
educated classes all over the globe, though it may vary in form and name.
5. When Niebuhr visited the Persian Gulf, lie found the whole district
dominated by the Beni Khalid, who have since declined in power and are
supposed now to he incorporated between [tus-al-Ghar and Kowoit with tho
AlAjman (Persian Gulf Pilot).
G. Tho earliest mention of tho Kafif and ITasa coasts in our records is
_ ,
...
Enrly roforenoo*. in our roro rdfi contained in Major Colebrook's report
,
•Pngo 254, of Bombay Political Do- about the Persian Gulf littoral dated 10th
panmont. Volume 61 Of 1821. September* 1820. We shall extract his
account of this const as also of tho neighbouring Islands including Bahrein,
as the tribes inhabiting them had once intimate connections with one another,
which it would be well to note, and a description of tho state of things in 1820
is well worth comparing with the existing state.
Katif,—Katif is situated within a deep Khoor or hay, the approach to which
is rendered difficult by the shallow water extending along the coast* to the westward and
southward of Bahrein, Tho channel of eniranco to Katif is by the north sido of tho Bay,
and commanded by the insulated Fort of Vamanm erected by Hama bin Jauber. Near the
h*-ad of the Bay is the Island of Tnroot inhabited by fishermen aud cultivators of the date.
Tbe town of Katif is defended by a fort composed of the common Arab watch towers con­
nected l»y walls, with a long face to the sea. A citadel, (the original fort) defends the north
angle, and contains a spring of fresh water. There are about 20 old guns of different
calibres in Katif and 8 in Taro t. hamaum Island is surrounded by unconnected watch
tower* similar to those at Ul-Kumra, near Rasnlkeima. The population of Katif has been
estimated at 25,000, but the chief part of them are connected with the B-ihreinese, an un­
warlike race of Sheas, who have been for somo generations in subjection to their more maTtial
neighbours. They pay a tax called dehand, the price of exemption from military service.
The armed population of Katif and Taroot, have been icckoncd at 10,000, according to
detailed estimation at 9,(’00. They are of the Beni Khaled tribe of whom 2,000 (the Beni
Asseyo) are horsemen 1,500. (They) were subsidized by Abdullah bin Saud, and employed
in his wars. They are all on occasions mounted (excepting 1,500 the Awmien) and retire
aununlly to Zibaya, Mecca and llodiedah, residing at Katit in the date season, via., from May
to December or January. Fresh water at Katif is abundant and the source of great fertility.
Bahrein,—The principal of these Islands, called also Aioal, is the residence of the elder
Sheikh Solyman bin Achmed. In the smaller Island of Arad, resides Abdullah bin Achracd,
who is charged with the defence of their possessions. These Islands are separated by a
channel 3 mil** broad, which is a complete bed of shoals, at half tide requiring a pilot for a boat
drawing two feet water. The seaport towns of Manawa and Mahurrug aro opposite to each
other. Manawa in Bahrein, Mahurrug in Arad.*
• Tie latter tho mo»t populoui.
They are fortified with towers, walls and ditches, anil
contain each from forty to fifty old guns. Manawa is open to the sea. Mahurrug besides its
walls is defended by a stone Gliurry, on a sandy point commanding tho channel. Those towns
though near the shores are difficult of approach ; vessels of burthen,’ anchor at a mile or J
distance. In the centre of Bahrein is the Fort of Ruffa where the Sheikh resides. This Island
Ham*. Of tribta »ccorPor.t«.i with the Utubi. of !8 fer.ti,e an<3 productive. Water supplied from the
Bahrein Khali rah (family of the Shriku) interior but said to be unwholesome in tue autumn
Bokutra ul Zayd, ul Sulatta, ul Uibaaain, ul and spring. Arad is sterile and supplied with
fead. ul Majuadi, al Manana, ul Satan Maodi, water from submarine springs. It migbt be un-
‘i’llttiSjSSth'f - tenable if this resource were cut off. Near Mahur-
Ul .... powerful „„ *,.b rMll. rug is a deep K boor or cove called Sm, in wlucn
Douir from tboshat ci-Arob originally froit Nejd. are eight fathoms water. These Isian<ls aro in
Geoahat, Morrghat retlr# to Ul Hudo annually. Biihjcction to the Khulifah branch of the Utubl
Joul 1,00,000. Uabrtinm cultivator* not incor- tribe, who are variously estimated from 13,000 to
r U , 19,000 armed men. The probable estimate may
be about M,000 including Sedtet, 500 are horsemen.
AjaiV.—On the const opposite to Bahrain is the small Island of Ajair, at tho cntranco of
a Khoor or iulet. It is protected by a small Fort or Gliurry with 80 Beni Khaled Arabs.
The inhabitants a mixture of siraogers, Ajair is the s«a port of Ilasa, from which it is distant
oE three days' journey, no water on the road.
Zobarah, On the coast, is dependant on Bahrein, protected by a tower and occupied at
preseot merely for the security of fishermen that frequont it. Tho Utubis were once colleou-
vely eitoblishcd at Zobarah. It has a Khior with three fathoms water which Buggalaha m*
enter.