BAHREIN ISLANDS 97
as to their origin yet exists owing to want of inscriptions, bat they are undoubtedly extremely ancient.
The ruling family, Al Khalifa, and most of the townsmen are Mohamme- dans of the Sunni (Maliki) sect. The town population consists of Arabs who hare come from Nejd within the last 200 years, and negroes. The agricultural population and the Bahrein pearl divers are mostly of the Shiah sect. There is a large Persian (mostly Shiah) community, and a number of Indian (mostly Hindu) merchants and tradesmen lire in Manama. The present chief of Bahrein is Sheikh Sir Isa bin Ali Al Khalifah, K.C. I.E., C.S.I. His uncle, Mahomed, was deposed by the British in 1867, and Sheikh Ali, his father, installed in his place. In 1869 Ali was killed, and Sheikh Isa succeeded to power.
The great industry is the pearl fishery, in which over 1,000 boats, of from 8 to 60 nicn each, from Bahrein alone, are engaged. The Bahrein Islands also produce dates, and a remarkably fine breed of white donkeys. Sail cloth is manufactured extensively, and also reed mats. In 1919-20, imports amounted to 1,414,428/. ; exports, 946,844/. There are 5 per cent, ad valorem import duties. The importation of arms and ammunition is subject to the consent of the British Government.
The chief imports in 1919-20 were: specie, 5.824/. ; pearls, 26,464/. ; rice, 405,989/. ; coffee, 92,842/. ; ghee, 67,007/. ; sugar, 32,692/. ; tea. 20,332/. ; piece goods, 337,039/. The chief exports were : pearls, 298,800/. ; riro, 261,051/.; coffee, 22,649/.; tea, 9,247/.; sugar, 11,100/.; dates, 15,333/. Owing to its situation, harbour, and good service of steamers, the port is largely used as a place of transhipment for mainland goods.
In 1919-20 there entered the port of Bahrein 55 British ships of 109,078 tons, and 1 American ship of 3,171 tons. The greater part of the trade of Najd and Hasa passes through Bahrein, where transhipment between steamers and dhows takes place.
There is a British Post office which is worked as an Indian Inland office with the exception of insurance. Letter rates between Great Britain and Bahrein are the same as between Great Britain and India. There is a wireless station.
The principal coins in use are Indian rupees, Austrian (Maria Theresa) dollars worth from 41<y\ to 48rf., and Turkish lire wortli from 20». to 20s. 5d. according to the rate of exchange. The rupee is the coin in general use. The Persian double kran, value about Is. Id. is also used. The measure employed is the dhiraa of 18 j inches. The weights are : the miscal shirazi of 72 grains; the miscal bar of 720 grains ; the rubaa of 4 114 lbs. avoir. ; the mann of 57*6 lbs. avoir. ; and the rafaa of 576 lbs. avoir.
The political relations between the Government of India and the Chief of Bahrein are conducted through the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and a Political Agent, who tries all cases in which British or Foreign subjects are concerned.
Acting Political Kesidcnt, Persian Gulf.— Lieut. -Col. A. P. Trevor, C.S.I. CLE.
Political Agent at Bahrein.— Major H. R. P. Dickson, CLE. Foreign Office Reports. Annual series. London.
Bent (J. Th.), The Bahrein Islands in the Persian Gulf. Proc. R. G. 8oc xii. 1. London. 1S90.
PaVjrare (\V. G.), Central and Eastern Arabia, 1365.
Zvewier(S. M.), Arabia : The Cradle of Islam. Edinburgh and London, 1900.
