Page 114 - A Hand book of Arabia Vol 1 (iii) Ch 6 -10

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236 THE HADHRAMAUT

that the town is wholly surrounded by walls, but it certainly has
a ring of numerous husun (castles) around it. A small pobbly
stream, called the Kheilah (Hirsch, ‘ Chelo ’), runs through it. The
town is divided into five quarters—Nuweidarah, Sahil, Hautah,
Radheimah, and Khalif, some of them, according to Hirsch, being
‘ full of ruined houses
The Sultan, at the time of Hirsch’s visit, only wielded a nominal
power, and was entirely in the hands of the Seyyids, who were the
virtual rulers. The houses of some of the Seyyids have a more
commanding appearance than the palace of the Sultan, that of
one being described as ‘ like a castle surrounded by an arcaded wall,
and having a large forecourt towards the street, and very extensive
gardens Van den Berg says, ‘ In ancient times Terlm was the
most important town of the Hadhramaut, not only on account of
its size, but also in commerce, industry, and intellectual culture ;
in our days, however, it is surpassed by Seyyun in all respects.
Many houses are in ruins, and whole streets have a deserted aspect,
• •«
especially in the south-western quarter, and a great number of
mosques have also fallen into ruin, and are no longer frequented.
The decadence of the town dates back to about half a century ago,
and was caused by the continual wars between the tribes (mainly
the Ka'aiti and the Kathlri) in its environs.’ In days gone by
Terlm was the centre of the weaving industry, which then was
reputed to have been carried on in almost every house ; the town
was also the centre of higher instruction, but in this respect also it
now takes second place to Seyyun.
For brief descriptions of the town of Seihut and of the villages
Qishn and Hafat, all three on the Mahrah coast between Hadhramaut
proper and Dhofar, see above, p. 230.

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