CAPHAR, a duty which the Turks raised on the
Christians who carry or send merchandises from Aleppo
to Jerusalem and other places in Syria.
The duty of caphar was first imposed by the Chris-
tians themselves, when they were in possession of the
Holy Land, for the maintenance of the troops which
were planted in difficult passes to observe the Arabs
and prevent their incursions. It is still continued,
and much increased by the Turks, under pretence of de-
fending the Christians against the Arabs; with whom,
nevertheless, they keep a secret intelligence, favouring
their excursions and plunder.