An Investigation of Foreign Trade of Iranian Eastern Cities during 1896-1903 (Based on Historical Documents)

An Investigation of Foreign Trade of Iranian Eastern Cities during 1896-1903 (Based on Historical Documents)

The Britain Consulate in Mashad, established in 1889, was in fact the first foreign political agency in this city and achieved, in a short time, to turn to the main executive hand of the Britain in the region. This agency acted under direct supervision of the British-Indian Commandership and was not much responsive to the Britain foreign affairs ministry. Comprehensive annual reports of this agency's analyses regarding business and economics were sent to higher ranks. Although reports compiled during the first seven years of this agency's activity were more comprehensive than those of the second seven years (i.e. 1896-1903 subject of the present study), there still could be found accurate and useful statistics and information about economy of Iranian eastern cities (i.e. the geographical territory of activity of this agency). Main titles of these annual reports were mentioning import/export goods and statistics, foreign regional and international partners (especially Russia, Britain and Afghanistan), and transit roads. Based on the British consulate documents, it seems, during aforementioned years, Russians surpassed the Britain in economy and business in the region and all attempts of the British were to compete their old competitor and balance the trade in favor of England. Thus, in their annual reports, they tried to illustrate some sociological dimensions and affecting factors on them, as well as economic analyses.

Shideh / N. Azimi