Page 205 - 8 Persian Trade rep Muscat 2_Neat

Report on the Trade of Muscat for the year 1932-33.

currency notes and rupees are generally accepted,
Introduction.
Muscat is the Capital of the Indcpcndant Sultanate but the Dollar is the only currency recognised in
the interior.
of that name situated on the Eastern Coast of
Arabia. The Maria Theresa Dollar fluctuates in value
With the exception of a small strip on the cast considerably, being affected by the world price of
coast of the Mussundam Peninsula between Dibbch silver, by the local demand in tie date season, and
by the state of the Bahrain pearl market.
and Khor Kalba, which appertains to minor Trucial
Sheikhs, the sco-board of the Sultanate extends in Trade accounts are kept in Mohamadis and Gajb,
the north from Tibat, on the western shores of the hypothetical units of which the former comprises
Musmndara Peninsula, to Ras Dharbat Ali in the two species, the black Mohamadia and the white.
south, situated some 290 miles due north of the The latter is used as a basis of calculation in
extreme westerly point of Socotra Island. wholesale transactions, whilst the black Mohamadi,
Inland the Sultanate extends to the borders of twenty and a half of which constitute a Dollar, is
the Great Desert, now better known perhaps as used for petty retail trade. Most hundis from
the Ruba’ Khali. Of late years the Omanis having India show their face value in Mohamadls and not
become autonomous, tic writ of the Sultan merely in rupees.
runs throughout a coastal belt varying in depth 20 Gajh . . 1 Mohanu&di.
from some 15 to 30 miles. 11} Mob a madia . 1 Dollar.
The interior b for the most part mountainous 100 . 1 Toman.
the main ranges running approximately parallel
to the sea coast with barren, rock)* offshoots extend­ Exchange Hate.
ing in places down to the sea. The higher inland
ranges, with a comparatively good rainfall, are EXCOASCS IOS 100 Maxoa There?*
Dollars.
wooded in places and generally fertile.
The sea coast for some 190 miles north west of 1930-31. 1931-32. 1932-23.
Muscat is known as the Batinah. It consists of a
fertile strip covered for some 100 miles of its length Ea. a_ r.
with extensive date groves. Highest bazar rate R*. A. r. Its. A. f.
The remainder of tic coast line within the limits Lowest bazar rate 88 5 0 84 8 0 80 8 0
of the Sultanate are barren and forbidding, with the 67 « 0 63 0 0 76 8 •
notable exception of Dhofar in the extreme south. Avenge bazar rate 75 6 0 73 0 0 80 14 0
This southern province of Dhofar extends from
Murbat in the east to Ras Dharbat Ali in the west, Weights and Measures.
and is bounded on the north by the Qara mountains.
Being well affected by the monsoon rains and being The weights used in the Customs Department
prescribed in Muscat, Matrah and the Coast towns
blessed with several perennial streams, this area, are:—
particularly round SiJaJah is extremely fertile.
The town of Muscat, once important and prosper­ 1 Kijaa . . The weight of 6 dollars of
5-9375 oza.
ous has given place to the adjoining port of JIatrah 24 „ . . 1 Muscat MaundL
as the trade centre and focus of commercial dealings 10 Muscat Maunda 1 Farranl.
with the Batinah and the interior. 200 99 99 . 1 Bahr.
Muscat however still continues to be the seat Rice is sold by the bag; other cereals by the
of Government and the capital of the Sultanate. following measures:—
20 Palis
Currency. • I Farrah.
20 Farrmhs . * 1 Ivh»rw*i
The currency of the country is the Maria Theresa
Dollar and the copper coin, known as the Baiza The ropcc which weigh, one tola and the Dollar
minted in 1895 to the order of His Highness the of which the weight ui called “ Aoqia - are nsed
8ultam In Muscat and Matrah, sovereigns, Indian SJEgff-lES.# perfno“- 0ne