TITBITS ABOUT BAGDAD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 290, 6 July 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

TITBITS ABOUT BAGDAD.

OXCE THE GREATEST CITY IX THE WORM). Bagdad is known in ancient history as the capital of the mighty Saracen Empire over which the descendants of Kinir. Xebuchi.dnezzar ruled for many centuries.

The popu'ation of Ba-d:id is uncertain hut the best authorities estimate it at about 150,000.

The bulk of the people are of Aral) blood but there are thoiK'.nds of Jews and a larjie rdmixture ot other races, especially Persians. The Turks are comparatively few, und am mostly Government officials.

The entire city is surrounded by a brick wall, five miles in eiroumference and 40ft. high, but in somo places bn.ken down, and by a deep, \\vrk dit-h.

The suburbs of Bagdad extend for twentv miles along the hanks of the Tigris' both above and Ik-low the city.

Although the city is embowered in trees, and is; a refreshing contrast to the ch-sert without, the streets are narrow, crooked, unpaved and dirty, lull of rut<. and strewed with garbage, which is for the most part removed by dugs—the only scavenger-, in the East.

The houves of Bagdad have, in general, no windows towards U* front, and are built of old yellowish-red brhk, which has been known to become redhot during the heat oi the day. '* * *

The interiors of the hou*e* are eoiueouslv decorated with vaulted ceilings', rich mouldings, inlaid mirrors, and massive gildings.

The denies and minarets, oi which there are no fewer than 2.000, tho earliest dating from the twelfth century, are ornamented with glazed tiles and paintings in green and! white, ami are considered to be tin hm-st in the world.

When Bagdad was tin- home of the Caliphate in the eighth century it was the finest citv in the wo.ld. poss,>sing a population'of over 2 ; <>«U*A

The scenes vividly describe.! in'-The \rabian Nights'" were hud in Bagdad. * * *

Bagdad is one of the mo,t famous 111( ! ( , ti n,- ;1 lp.-es or Islam, over 100,000 pilgrims pacing through toe my >ear-

Of late vears maiiv w.U-knowii Enro- ,„,,„ firms have settled a*-nw in Bag--I.d and before the outbr.ak ol hostilitii<>i Britain. Franee, and Ru~ui were ivnreiented l.v Consids-Gonern!. * " * '•' Cholera periodr-ally vi>iw B»sdao\ perished daily for several .bj* Iroro it. wop*. # „ A torril.i.- famine sw.p; a« r,^* f JJ e [* notnmia in I*7l. pml ij.;"; 1 -' ; hnhitauts of Bagdad «!'•■" "' nation.