Trading companies of Fars in Qajar period and Its Internal and External Challenges

Abstract

The establishment of commercial companies in the Qajar period (1344-1210 A. H), from the perspective of their owners, was not only considered an economic measure; Rather, in the conditions of the 19th century when Iranian businessmen were facing the commercial monopoly of European companies, it pursued broad political, social and even cultural goals. The most important of these companies was Jamshidian trading center, which had branches in Bushehr and Shiraz in the field of exchange. In addition to Jamshidian trading center, there were other trading places in Fars province active in buying and selling currency. Iran's trading company, the merchants of Bushehr's company and Mohammad Reza Kazerooni and Sons' company were among the companies active in Fars. Fars Trading Company was also established in Shiraz under the management of Abdol Rahim Shirazi. The introduction of these companies and the explanation of their internal and external challenges during their establishment and activity is a problem that this article seeks to explain relying on the descriptive-analytical approach as well as the primary sources. The findings of the research show that the failures of the colonialist banks, the opposition of the rulers, and the lack of support of the central governments from the Iranian commercial companies in Fars, caused some problems for them, and finally, it led to their bankruptcy.

Keywords

• iran's economic history
• qajar government
• fars state
• trading centers
• economic relations with the west