Page 160 - A Hand book of Arabia Vol 1 (iii) Ch 6 -10

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DISTRICTS 267

In number the population of Muscat, fluctuates, and is lowest in
the hot weather, when more than half the inhabitants of the suburbs
seek a less trying climate in Sib, Barkah, and other places in Batinah.
In winter, when the town is full, its total population may be set at
10,000, of whom some 3,000 reside within the walls. The popula­
tion is a medley of races, and includes very few pure Arabs. Numeri­
cally Baluchis appear to form its strongest element, serving as
soldiers, sailors, porters, and servants, and engaging in trade in
a small way ; the next most numerous classes are probably the
negroes and half-caste Arabs called Maxoalid. There is a consider­
able Persian community, whose members are shopkeepers, fish­
mongers, and makers of quilts and bedding. The Hindu com­
munity is smaller, and includes bankers, importers of Indian goods,
date-exporters, and silversmiths ; the Hindus also own some of
the best gardens in the suburbs. The commercial community
also includes a few Portuguese, Khojahs, and Jews. There are
some Ab_yssinians, Nubians, and Hadhrami, the last named holding
posts in the Sultan’s service ; and a few fishermen from Socotra
come each year to the Makallah Cove at the beginning of the hot
weather and stay for a month or two. The language of the town
is Arabic, but many persons speak Persian, Baluchi, and Hindus­
tani, and business communications can be sent in English.
When the weather permits, excellent fish are caught in abundance
every morning outside the entrance to the harbour, and there are
some small market gardens and a few date-trees in Wadi el-Keblr ;
but in other respects the town has no natural resources, and all food
and fuel are imported.
Muscat is the only port of Oman where steamers call regularly ;
for the steamship services, see p. 243. For the commerce andshipping
of the town, see p. 242; for its weights, measures, and currency, see
pp. 243 ff.; and for its system of administration and recent history,
see pp. 245 ff. A British Political Agent and Consul are stationed
at Muscat; and there are also American and French Vice-consuls.
Post and Telegraph Offices have been established by the Indian
Government. The town is connected by telegraph cable with
Jashk, and thus with all parts of the world.
2. Matrah, about two miles to the W. of Muscat, is larger than
the capital ; it is in fact the largest town in the Sultanate of Oman ;
total population 14,000, of whom about 9,000 reside within the
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walls. It is also the most important town commercially ; for, since
Muscat has no land communications, all goods for the interior,
3 after being imported at Muscat, must be reshipped to some other
distributing centre, and this is generally Matrah. Like the capital
ARABIA I R C

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