Page 407 - 1 Persian Trade rep Bahrain 1_Neat

report ON THE TRADE OF THE BAHRAIN ISL ANDS TOR THE YEAR ENDIN'!
THE 3IST MARCH 1919.

CURRENCY.
Erg-ish Sovereign*, and Indian Currency both paper And silver are the
principal currency of the Bahrain Island®.
18 Acnn.8 = 1 Rupee.
16 Rupees = £ 1.
■Maria Thorasa Dollars aro not in much favour hut are to some extent
current curing to their popularity on tho mainland of Arabia. Exchange
fluctuated between 210 and 200 rupees per 100 dollars.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

W EIGHTS.
1 Rati or Kijjuj = 15V lba. (Avoir)
1 Raba . « * = 4-11 „ n
I V Rubas = 1 Man • = 57-6 „ »
10 Mans = 1 Rifaah = 576 „ M
13 Rifaah = 1 Kara . iO,3C8 „ „
There are no proper standard weights and those used by shop-keepers are
frequently tinder standard.
In the pearl trade the unit of weight is based on tho Indian measure called
Chao, but the Bahrain Chao=l Indian Cha03.
100 Dokra = 1 Chao.
SCO Chaos . = 1 Maskal = 119 grains Troy.
C6 Habbe . = 1 MuskaL
LdteAIi Measure.
1 Dhlra (Cubit) = 181 inchei
4 Dhira at* 1 Ra* (Fafchotn) . = 6 feet 3 inchea.
Introduction.—A general description of the physical, political and com­
mercial peculiarities of the Islands is given in the report for the yedr 1911-12
(Annual eeric3 No. 5032). The permanent population has slightly increased

The local Customs Department does not maid tain accurate statistic^ con-
seqnently trade figures have to be prepared from the manifests of stedimers
country craft access to which has been readily given by the courtesy of the
Customs Director. The statistics given in this report are for the first tune
^niplete in as far as they jjo, as under A recent order the Ruler of Bahrain
notified that all goods whether imported or exported had to pass through tho
v^to®8 House. This order has been carried out by all concerned arid credit-
supervised by the Customs officials.
Statistics regarding movement of pearls and species are still very incom-
tra ii,a* num^er8 I00**! and foreign pearl merchants make a practice of
Telling to and from Bombay, carrying on their joameys large quantities of
F^ls and 6pecic in their luggage or on their persott.
The Shaikh of Bahrain has, after some difficulty,' consented to the establisfi-
vet a ^rancll the Eastern Bank Limited in Bahrain. No branch has
tank * ? °Pcae^ owing to the Government of India’s silver restrictions, A
.U-*15 Eadly wanted and many lakhs of rupees are brought in every year by
° -ered post, in tho form, of Indian. currency no tea* of E&r 1,000 and IW 500.