Stephen Dale states that Iran and Turan, which refers to the land of the Tur, or modern day Central Asia, “raised a surplus of horses that Mughal rulers, commanders, and cavalrymen valued as mounts.”[40] These horses traveled to India via the overland trade routes, such as the Qandahar-Isfahan route, passing through provinces like Balkh along the way. The Safavid Empire was a theocracy; The state religion was Shi'a Islam; All other religions, and forms of Islam were suppressed; The Empire's economic strength … As such, they were often frequented by traveling merchants and quickly became vital to profitable commercial activity for those merchants. One way that Safavid Iran promoted business opportunities within its borders was by establishing an elaborate system of caravanserais. Iran had also declined militarily, leaving it more vulnerable to invasion, which came out of the east. In regards to Russian transactions, Mathee claims “a contemporary source indicates that the Russians had to pay half to one-third of the price of the goods they received from Iran in the form of silver and gold coins.”[13] We can infer from this information that Safavid Iran maintained a trade surplus with the major players to the North and West. “Modernity and Nation-making in India, Turkey and Iran.”, Gommans, Jos. Safavid Empire Economy. The geographic area that this paper will explore is highlighted below in Figure 1. As a result, conventional wisdom has incorrectly bred the notion that Safavid Iran’s economic impact was minimal. [33] Historian Arash Khazeni states, “Crossing Balkh, above the snowy ridges of the Hindu Kush were trade routes connecting Afghanistan with Central Eurasia,” which can be seen below highlighted in red. Safavid Persian Empire is ranked 23,814 th in the world and 20 th in Greater Middle East for Largest Furniture Restoration Industry, scoring 4,956.38 on the Spitz-Pollish Productivity Index . The Safavid Empire lasted until 1736. The map pictured is part of the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection at the University of Texas. 1450 – 1750 Janet Pareja, Signature School, Evansville, IN 2. Obviously, there were major consequences, intended and unintended, which stemmed from this inherently unbalanced system—e.g., colonialism, capitalism, modern imperialism, and nationalism. Decline of the Safavid Empire Many factors played into the decline and fall of the Safavid Empire. What fueled the growth of Safavid economy was Iran’s position between the burgeoning civilizations of Europe to its west and India and Islamic Central Asia to its east and north. The Safavid Empire reached its zenith under Shah Abbas the Great of Persia (reigned 1588–1629), who ruled with an iron fist. Strengths of the Safavid Empire. The Safavid dynasty had its origin in the Safavid order of Sufism, which was established in the city of Ardabil in the Iranian Azerbaijan region. How quickly did help arrive in the christchurch earthquake 2011? What will happen if money collected by the government is lower than spending? “The Horse Trade in Eighteenth-Century South Asia.”, Ikram, S. M., Frances W. Pritchett, and Barbara Metcalf. During the expansion of the empire, the Safavid regime closely resembled the Aqquyunlu and Timurid regimes that it supplanted. This is due to one simple fact: Safavid Iran possessed vital geographic proximity between the highly productive Orient and consumption hungry Europe. Safavid Iran possessed vital geographic proximity between the highly productive Orient and consumption hungry Europe. The Silk Road, which led through northern Iran to India, revived in the sixteenth century. However, that should not diminish the importance of the rest of the trade route stretching from Qandahar to Isfahan, especially for Safavid Iran. Members of the Safavid Dynasty likely were of Kurdish Persian descent and belonged to a unique order of Sufi -infused Shi'a Islam called Safaviyya. [27] These overland merchants conducted their commerce at the many aforementioned caravanserais. It is in this critical time period where the foundation for modern terms such as “globalization” and “interconnected global economy” was first laid. “Trade, State Policy and Regional Change: Aspects of Mughal-Uzbek Commercial Relations, C. 1550-1750.”, Bryce, Derek, Kevin D. O’Gorman, and Ian W.F. How many eligible voters are registered to vote in the United States? According to many historians, the Safavid empire marked the beginning of modern Persia. But in the seventeenth century the Ottoman threat to the Safavids declined. Economy in Mughal Empire was dependent on agriculture, trade and other industries. Founded by Shah Ismail I, the empire … There are several contributing factors which resulted in Safavid Iran’s comparatively irregular economic construction. As is consistent with the definition of a transit economy, a majority of the aforementioned goods was never fully absorbed into Safavid Iran’s domestic economy. Other exports were horses, goat hair, pearls, and an inedible bitter almond hadam-talka used as a specie in I… Originally published by Middle Eastern Communities and Migrations Student Research Papers, James Madison University Scholarly Commons, 06.27.2017, under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. Abbas 1 of Persia Abbas 1 of Persia came into power after his predecisor Mohammad had resigned. Some content is licensed under a Creative Commons license, and other content is completely copyright-protected. Encouraged trade by developing the Persian infrastructure. vii. Analyzing the role that the Safavid economy played within the rapidly developing global economic system. [18] In addition to popular trade routes, the caravanserais could also be found along pilgrimage routes and soon became synonymous with the grand bazaars of major Iranian urban centers.[19]. Indo-Iranian Commercial Relations.”, Mathee, Rudi. During the reign of Shah Abbas (1588-1629), the Safavid conquest of Gilan, Mazandaran and Julfa saw the forced migration of Armenian populations to Isfahan. While more “traditional” economies The silk industry of early modern Iran was one of the cornerstones of the Safavid economy. Merchants were free to choose whether they wanted to use the maritime route or the overland route. According to Stephen Dale, “Mughal rulers had the luxury of being able merely to preside over a powerful laissez faire economy that allowed them to have what was essentially a free-trade foreign economic policy, while Shah Abbas instituted a kind of state capitalism and an Iranian mercantilism to develop and protect his state’s more fragile economic circumstance.”[16] It is important to note, however, that the extent of Safavid Iran’s economic impact does not begin or end with the reign of Shah Abbas. See the bottom of each page for copyright information. Silk was a highly valued commodity, especially in the Ottoman Empire and Mediterranean region to the West. Consequently, much like the trade of precious metals and silk, the trade of livestock from Safavid Iran using central Asian trade routes served to bolster Iran’s impact as a key player in the growing global economy. In relation to Safavid Iran’s “more fragile economic circumstance,” the Safavids managed to accumulate a “trade deficit with the Indian subcontinent, which stood in contrast to the country’s position vis-à-vis the Ottoman Empire and Russia.”[17] This is because the overarching economic strategy of Safavid Iran was to generate economic growth by leveraging its geographic position and emphasis on the transit, and not the production, of goods – with the exception of silk. While Elphinstone’s account was written after the fall of the Safavid Empire, the trade route that passes through Balkh and Iran certainly existed well before his time. Baxter, “Commerce, Empire and Faith in Safavid Iran: the Caravanserai of Isfahan,”. The export aspect of Safavid Iran’s transit economy centered chiefly around the trading of silk. [9] However, the areas surrounding the Caspian Sea were not always under Safavid imperial control. Bryce, O’Gorman, and Baxter, “Commerce, Empire,” 205. Furthermore, this map also highlights several important ancient trade routes which will be discussed in later sections of this paper. Proceeds are donated to charity. Section I: For Teachers Overview (Reference for Teachers): This overview will summarize important information regarding three coexisting economies connected to Indian Ocean Trade. [10] Shah Abbas then used the far-reaching Armenian diaspora in order to expand the impressive Safavid silk trade well into economies and metropolitan areas all over Europe and Asia. Artisan products provided much of Iran's foreign trade.They produced textiles, ceramics, metalwork, carpet, and many other media that contributed to the development of art across the region. For example, maritime trade routes from Bandar Abbas to Surat saw the transport of enormous amounts of precious metals between the Safavid and Mughal empires. Start studying The Safavid Empire (MODERN WORLD HISTORY). In the case of the exchange of western bullion for eastern silk, neither the bullion that was imported nor all of the silk that was exported originated in Iran itself. [37] Furthermore, according to historian Jos Gommans, these horses were “initially sold at the local markets of Balkh, Bukhara and Herat, of which the latter also became an outlet for the minor Iranian market.”[38] Elphinstone goes on to support this claim by stating that the finest horses in Afghanistan originated from Turkistan, north of Kabul and Qandahar, and that details regarding the various breeds to be purchased could be found in Balkh, along with their prices.[39]. Arash Khazeni, “The City of Balkh and the Central Eurasian Caravan Trade in the Early Nineteenth Century,”, Jos Gommans, “The Horse Trade in Eighteenth-Century South Asia,”, Alam, Muzzafar. [31] Still, based on the firsthand accounts of the size of the camel caravans which frequented the Qandahar-Isfahan route, the sheer amount of capital being transported within those caravans, and the perpetual conflict for control of Qandahar, the overland trade routes were undoubtedly a vital part of Safavid-Mughal relations, and more importantly, Safavid Iran’s transit economy. in Turkey, to train administrators to replace the traditional warrior elite. Ultimately, the product of these trends points towards the emergence of a truly global economy. French explorer Jean Chardin (d. 1713), who spent time in Isfahan during the 17th century, estimated that there were around 500,000 people living in the city. What kind of graphic organizer should you use on a article about video-game addictions? When discussing the Qandahar-Isfahan route, it is important to note that this route actually starts in Lahore and not Qandahar. “Empires and Emporia: Palace, Mosque, Market, and Tomb in Istanbul, Isfahan, Agra, and Delhi.”, Fernee, Tadd Graham. rich on trade because of location, Iranian art flourished, strong military. Thus, in the Mughal era also agriculture was actually the biggest source of income. Indo-Iranian Commercial Relations,”. Abbas managed to destroy the rival Turkish Gazilbash tribes, reform the army, and create a prosperous economy based on the trade of luxury goods, especially silk brocades. However, the use of the word “unbalanced” is not meant to imply a sense of instability or weakness, but rather represent the unique way in which the Safavid economy was positioned within the larger global economic system as a whole. The Safavid Empire was not a conquest state: Safavid conquest did not imply a change in the form of administration. The Shah’s that followed Shah Abbas were ineffectual towards the empire. The other highly valued commodity is horses. It is survived by Iran. The primary reason why the impact of the Safavid economy may have paled in comparison to larger nation states and empires is because the economy did not function in a “traditional” sense. “Merchants in Safavid Iran: Participants and Perceptions.”, ———. In 1501 the Safavid Empire was founded by Ismail I. Nov 12, 1508. The Safavid dynasty had its origins in a long established Sufi order which had flourished in Azerbaijan since the early 14th century. The first Safavid king, Esmāʿīl I (907-30/1501-24), initiated a process of political and religious change in Persia that profoundly affected the economic structure. The empire made Iran … Given Iran’s geographic position, many transactions took place as goods were shipped East and West. The Safavid Empire (1502-1736) was a Persian military state that dominated the region for two centuries and initiated one of Persia's golden ages. Safavid power ended and civil wars followed, which depressed Iran's economy further and … Safavid Iran’s largest trading partner to the East was Mughal India. [11] New Julfa soon became renowned for its silk production, drawing the attention of Shah Abbas himself. The Silk Road which led through northern Iran to India revived in the 16th century. For example, according to Mathee, “in terms of economic output, Iran, with its small population and limited resources, lagged far behind the more populous areas of south and west Asia.”[2] Yet, despite only having a population of approximately ten million people, its geographic location served as a “crucial entrepot for a number of commodities.”[3] This included the export of silk to the West, overland and maritime trade of various consumer goods from India and southeast Asia westward, and the flow of precious metals back into the Indian subcontinent. Safavid Persian Empire's national animal is the Lion, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests. Finally, referencing the previously mentioned trade surplus Mughal India maintained over Safavid Iran, there were only three commodities which Iran could offer to offset the deficit. Some of these manufactured articles included: cotton cloth, indigo, saltpeter, spices, opium, sugar, silk cloth, yarn, salt, beads, borax, turmeric, lac, sealing wax and drugs of various kinds. In the year 1722, Afghan invaders, of the Sunni branch of Islam, reached the Safavid capital, Isfahan. According to Elphinstone, the environs of Balkh, highlighted in yellow below (Figure 5), encompassed the “the valleys between the Hindu Kush and Oxus River.”[32] Balkh was a key province that included many districts north of the Hindu Kush, and according to Elphinstone, the province had a population of around one million people. Celebrate the life of Safavid Empire from Safavid Empire. All Rights Reserved. Firstly, it is important to note that while Safavid Iran’s economy may have seemed insignificant due to its smaller size, upon closer inspection, it is clear that the amount of commercial activity which occurred within its borders was surprisingly plentiful and perhaps nearly as diverse as some comparatively larger states of the time. It is important to note again that “Iran, situated at the crossroads between Ottoman and Mughal territory, lay squarely in the middle of this flow.”[7] In order to better understand this flow, we must first analyze the functions of, and subsequent relationship between, the Mughal, European and Safavid economies in a very basic sense. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Safavid Iran generated economic growth by capitalizing on transit trade, or the business associated with the passage of goods and services through a territory to their final destination. “Commerce, Empire and Faith in Safavid Iran: The Caravanserai of Isfahan.”, Dale, Stephen. Safavid history is rife with clashes and wars between the Shi'a Muslim Safavid Persians and the Sunni Ottoman Turks. Some of the silk originated in the Orient, and the bullion originated in the West. Safavid culture played a role in the empire's economy because 'Abbas encouraged the manufacturing of traditional products. Early on, the Safavids were at a disadvantage to the better-armed Ottomans, but they soon closed the arms gap. ECONOMY. You just clipped your first slide! Safavid, 220 AD, of The Safavid Empire, passed away in the sad year of 1722 by bankrupting itself and weakening its economy/army. Two have already been discussed: gold and silk. With the beginning of the Safavid dynasty in Iran, Albuquerque, a Portuguese general, conquered Hormoz Island in southern Iran. A majority of Mughal exports consisted of manufactured goods, which were in high demand in Europe and elsewhere. FROM THE SAFAVIDS THROUGH THE ZANDS. How do you what a fish looks like if come a cross one? Spiritual heir to Sheikh Zahed, Safi Al-Din transformed the inherited Zahediyeh Sufi Order in… their skills in making ceramics and metal goods. Islamic Empires to 1600 Ottoman 1289-1923 Safavid Mughal 1526 - 1857 1501-1722 Additionally, Safavid Iran’s complex relationship with Mughal India laid the foundation for some of the most important trade routes in all of Asia. “The Safavid Economy as Part of the World Economy.” In, Steinmann, Linda K. “Shah ‘Abbas and the Royal Silk Trade 1599-1629.”. Safavid era (1501–1729) begins a new age in the history of Iran. [20] Furthermore, “in the 1660s, Jean de Thévenot estimated the number of Indian merchants in Isfahan to have grown to 15,000.”[21] Clearly, Isfahan became the commercial hub for goods and services transported along Central Asia’s primary trade routes. He was a disciple of the famed Sufi grand master Sheikh Zahed Gilani (1216 - 1301) of Lahijan. While more “traditional” economies possessed a closer balance between the amount of goods exported and imported (and thereby absorbed), Safavid Iran’s economy was comparatively unbalanced in these core aspects. 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Clipping is a handy way to collect important slides you want to go back to later. Firstly, it will analyze the role that the Safavid economy played within the rapidly developing economic system itself. “Between Venice and Surat: The Trade in Gold in Late Safavid Iran.”, ———. Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. How do you diagnose the solenoid on a 2003 Ford Focus? [22] Furthermore, one can argue that Qandahar’s significance gravitates southward due to its ties to maritime trade routes. “Muslim Civilization in India – Part Two: The Mughal Period, Chapter 17.” In, Khazeni, Arash. The Safavids were admired for More problematic for the Safavids was the powerful Ottoman Empire.The Ottomans, a Sunni dynasty, considered the active recruitment of Turkmen tribes of Anatolia for the Safavid cause as a major threat. [15] Furthermore, differences between the two economies, on a larger scale, can be observed in the vastly different approaches implemented by Mughal and Safavid rulers at the time. Elphinstone observed that pastoral nomadic tribes played a central role in this trade as “intermediaries carrying goods and as suppliers of livestock.”[34] The specific livestock being referenced here is the “strong and active breed of horse” that Balkh’s Central Eurasian horse trade became famous for. [35] Elphinstone claimed that these horses were exported in “considerable numbers.”[36] This could be observed at the Indian fairs or “melas” where the horses imported were Turkoman or “Turki” breeds, from the area north of the Hindu Kush around Balkh. Copyright © 2021 Multiply Media, LLC. Scott C. Levi, “India xiii. ­Geographical ­discoveries, in general, and bypassing the Cape of Good Hope, in particular, in South Africa, changed traditional trade routes in Iran’s international trade. Their religious… This map provides an excellent data visualization, as it illustrates the centrality of Persia between the Orient and the major economic players to the West. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. In summation, without the mercantilist Safavid transit economy promoting the flow of goods and services from East to West and vice versa, the growth that the global economy experienced during the seventeenth century could have been severely stunted. That, combined with a lavish lifestyle, military spending, and falling revenues resulted in a weak economy. According to leading Safavid historian Rudi Mathee, “while Iran’s economic output is unknown and probably unknowable, it is clear that its contribution to worldwide economic activities was relatively slight.”[1] However, this should not imply that Safavid Iran’s impact was somehow irrelevant or nonexistent. Now customize the name of a clipboard to store your clips. However, the same cannot be said of their commercial relationships with their neighbors to the East and Southeast. Comparatively, India’s economy under the Mughal Empire had a far more diversified portfolio of imports and exports than Safavid Iran’s transit economy. Al-Kazimiyyah Shrine The Al-Kazimiyyah Shrine was origanly built in 799, but was ordered to be reconstructed in 1508. There are several key factors which contribute to the underappreciated, yet highly valuable role Safavid Iran’s transit economy played during the development of the early modern global economy. Finally, we turn to Mountstuart Elphinstone’s (d. 1859) Account of the Kingdom of Caubul to review his observations of an alternative Indo-Iranian trade route via the province of Balkh in modern day Afghanistan. Who is the longest reigning WWE Champion of all time? The transport of goods and services used overland and maritime routes, some more well known than others. As an empire, the Safavids succeeded in placing the nomadic people groups of the regi… The Safavid Empire was predeceased by The Mongol Empire. 'Abbas encouraged the manufacturing of traditional products. [8], A majority of Iran’s silk production occurred in the areas near the Caspian Sea. Evidence of this phenomenon is fairly well documented, as it served as the catalyst which transformed civilizations in nearly every corner of the world. It also came to terms with the Tajik aristocracy, which included the established ulama. It was this privileged treatment that arguably propelled New Julfa to “unparalleled heights of economic prosperity.”[12]. This phenomenon can again be observed when analyzing the dynamics involved in the exchange of western bullion for various spices, textiles, and services imported from India. Baxter. See "Terms of Service" link for more information. One empire in… How was Safavid culture part of the empire's economy? Finally, the paper will examine the trade routes used to transport goods and services in and out of Iran. Safavid culture played a role in the empire's economy because Having established that Safavid Iran’s transit economy did in fact play a significant role during a crucial time for global economic development, we can now more closely examine the logistics of Iran’s transport of goods and services both East and West. By email solenoid on a 2003 Ford Focus those merchants, Iranian art,. Brewminate uses Infolinks and is an Amazon Associate with links to items available there baxter, “ Commerce, and! As well as control of trade what will happen if money collected by the tactics... Figure 1 of goods and services in and out of Iran to collect important slides you want go... Wanted to use the maritime route or the overland route power after his predecisor Mohammad had resigned,,! Not share posts by email new age in the Orient, and an inedible bitter hadam-talka! 5_ `` ^ 5! 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