Research Journal of Iran Local Histories

In collaboration with Payame Noor University and Iranian Society of History

Current Issue

By Issue

By Author

By Subject

Author Index

Keyword Index

About Journal

Aims and Scope

Editorial Board

Publication Ethics

Indexing and Abstracting

Related Links

FAQ

Peer Review Process

Journal Metrics

Activity of British companies in Isfahan during of Qajar period (1875-1925)

Document Type : pajoheshi

Authors

1 Associate Prof., Department of History and Iranian Studies, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

2 M.Sc. History of Iran, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

10.30473/lhst.2026.74447.2989

Abstract

Prior to the Qajar period, Isfahan’s strategic position along major trade routes made it an attractive destination for foreign merchants. Following its designation as the capital of the Safavid dynasty, a number of foreign trading companies established offices in the city. However, the Afghan invasion and subsequent instability led to the gradual withdrawal of these companies. Their commercial presence remained limited until the establishment of the Qajar dynasty. With the ascent of the Qajars—particularly during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah—British commercial enterprises began operating in various regions of Iran, including Isfahan. These companies engaged in diverse economic activities, the significance of which constitutes the core focus of this research. Accordingly, the central research question is، ص. What roles did British commercial enterprises play in Isfahan during the Qajar era? Given Isfahan’s continued prominence as a nexus of trade during the Qajar period, the city remained of considerable interest to British merchants. By establishing trade offices in Isfahan, they expanded their commercial footprint within Iran. It appears that the presence of British firms contributed to the development of Isfahan’s economy and commercial landscape, and that a degree of collaboration existed between these firms and local Iranian merchants. This study adopts a qualitative methodology based on library research and archival sources, including Qajar-era newspapers. The findings aim to identify the British companies active in Isfahan during this period, examine the nature of their activities, and assess the broader economic, commercial, and social impacts of their presence on the city.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References
Abbott, K. (2017 AD). Cities trade: Consul Abbott on the economy and society of Iran. Tr. A. Rais Al-Sadat. Amirkabir. (In Persian)
Adamiyat, F. (1981 AD). Revolt against the Reggie franchise. Payam. (In Persian)
Aghili, A. (2006 AD). Attitude to the constitution of Isfahan. Isfahan, Cultural and recreational organization of Isfahan municipality. (In Persian)
 
Al Isfahan, M. (1989 AD). Nesfe jahan fi tarif Isfahan (Half of the world in the definition if Isfahan). Ed. M. Sotoudeh. Amirkabir. (In Persian)
Allahyari, F. & et al. (2014 AD). History of professions, industries and trade of Isfahan province from ancient times to the Islamic revolution. Shahid Hossein Fahmideh. (In Persian)
Ashraf, Ahmad. (1980 AD). Historical Obstacles to the Development of Capitalism in Iran: The Qajar Period. Payam. (In Persian)
Aubin, Eugène. (1983 AD). Modern Iran. Translated by Ali-Asghar Saeedi. Zavvar Bookstore. (In Persian)
Benjamin, S. G. W. (1984 AD). Persia and the Persian. Tr. M. Kordbacheh. Javidan. (In Persian)
Blue Book. (1983 AD). Ed. A. Bashiri. Vol. 2. Now. (In Persian)
Blue Book. (A/1984). Ed. A. Bashiri. Second Edition. Vol. 1. Now. (In Persian)
Blue Book. (B/1984). Ed. A. Bashiri. Vol. 3. Now. (In Persian)
Constitution house of Isfahan (Half a century of Islamic awakening) (2010). Ed. M. Faghih Haghani. Institute for Iranian contemporary historical studies & Constitution house of Isfahan. (In Persian)
Curzon, G. N. (1983 AD). Persia and Persian Question. Tr. Gh. Vahid Mazandarani. Vol. 2. Nd, Center for scientific and cultural publications. (In Persian)
Diplomatic history and documents center of the ministry of foreign affairs of Iran. Archives No. GH1315-K30-P18-5, GH1321-K27-P11-92, GH1321-K28-P2-4, GH1327-K54-9-41, GH1333-K54-P16-31, GH1334-K3-P3-13 & 14, (In Persian)
Farhang-e Isfahan newspaper. (1918 AD). No. 43. (In Persian)
Flandin, Eugène. (1977 AD). Travel Account of Eugène Flandin in Iran. Translated by Hossein Noursadeghi. 3rd ed. Eshraghi. (In Persian)
Floor, W. (1987 AD). Essay on the social history of Iran in the Qajar era. Tr. A. Serry. Vol. 1. Nd, Tus. (In Persian)
Garthwaite, G. R. (1998 AD). The Bakhtiyari Khans, the Government of Iran and the British (1846-1915). Tr. N. Salehi. Journal of Contemporary history of Iran. (8): 7-44 (In Persian)
Gorbanpour, Kh. (2011 AD): England and Bakhtiyari (1896-1925). Institute for Iranian contemporary historical studies. (In Persian)
Grote, H. (2017 AD). Grote’s travelogue. Tr. M. Jalilvand. Markaz. (In Persian)
Issawi, Ch. (1983 AD). The Economic history of Iran. Tr. J. Azhand. Gostareh. (In Persian)
Jahad Akbar newspaper. (1907 AD). No. 27. (In Persian)
Javaher Kalam, A. (2012 AD). Isfahan travel notes. Ed. M. Rajaei. Majma-i zakhair islami. (In Persian)
Jenab, A. & J. Chardin (1997 AD). Al-Isfahan. Nd, Culture heritage organization. (In Persian)
Kashfe Telbis. (1957 AD). Kaveh. (In Persian)
Keddie, N. R. (1979 AD). The Iranian Tobacco protests. Tr. Sh. Ghaemmaghami. Jibi. (In Persian)
Liten, W. (1988 AD). Iran from peaceful influence to protection. Tr. M. MirAhmadi. Moien. (In Persian)
Lockhart, Laurence. (2004 AD). The Fall of the Safavid Dynasty. Translated by Esmaeil Dolatshahi. 3rd edition. Elmī va Farhangī Publishing. (In Persian)
Madani, J. (Nd). The history of Iran’s political developments and foreign relations. Vol. 1. Entesharat Islami. (In Persian)
Motazed, Kh. (1987 AD). Haj Amin al-Zarb and the history of trade and industrial investment in Iran. Janzadeh. (In Persian)
Najafi, M. (2014 AD). The idea of sanctions and self-belief. Institute for Iranian contemporary historical studies. (In Persian)
National library and Archives of Iran. Archives No. 296/19018.. 360/6629. 97/280/3389. (In Persian)
Nouraei, M. (2012 AD). Isfahan Brokerage deed (1909 – 1915). Isfahan, Cultural and recreational organization of Isfahan municipality. (In Persian)
Nour Sadeghi, H. (1937 AD). Saadat. (In Persian)
Okazaki, Sh. (1986 AD). “The great Persian famine 1870-71”. Tr. H. Rajabzadeh. Journal of future. Vol. 12. No. 1 & 2 & 3. (In Persian)
Orsel, Ernest. (2003 AD). Travelogue of the Caucasus and Iran. Translated by Ali Asghar Saeedi. Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies. (In Persian)
Rajaei, M. (2013 AD). Textile history of Isfahan in the Qajar and Pahlavi periods. Jahad daneshgahi Isfahan. (In Persian)
Sadid Al-Saltaneh, M. A. (1963 AD). Bandar Abbas & Khalije Fars (Persian Gulf). Ed. A. Eghtedari & A. Setayesh. Vols. 1 & 2. Ibn Sina. (In Persian)
Safai, Ebrahim. (1971 AD). Selected Documents from Sepahsalar – Zell al-Soltan – Dabir al-Molk. Historical Society
Selection of Iranian and Ottoman political documents: Qajar period (1991). Vol. 3. Institute for political and international studies. (In Persian)
Sepehr, A. H. (1989 AD). Meraat Al-vaghaye Mozafari. Ed. A. H. Zarrinkoob. Vol. 2. Nd, Zarrin. (In Persian)
Seyf, A. (1994 AD). The economy of Iran in the 19th century. Cheshmeh. (In Persian). (In Persian)
Shahnavaz, Shahbaz (2005 AD), the Opening up of South-West Persia 1880–1914, Routledge Curzon.
Shale, M (1989 AD). Lady Shale’s memoirs. Tr. H. AbouTorabian. Now. (In Persian)
Shirani Naghneg, Z. (2005 AD). Economy of Isfahan during the Zell Al-Sultan. Isfahan university Department of history. (In Persian)
Shirzādfar, Mehralzaman. (2008 AD). Isfahan during the Afsharid and Zand Periods. Cultural and Recreational Organization of Isfahan Municipality. (In Persian)
Soleymani, A. (2021 AD). Cognitive examination of commercial documents of the Qajar period. Master’s thesis. Tehran university Department of history. (In Persian)
Soraya newspaper (1899 AD). No. 41 & 49. (In Persian)
Stebbins, H. Lyman (2016 AD), British Imperialism in Qajar Iran, I.B, Tauris & Co. Ltd.
Tahvildar, M.H. (1963 AD). Isfahan geography. Ed. M. Sotoudeh. (In Persian)
Torabi Farsani, S. (2018 AD). Merchants, constitutionalism and modern government. Tarikheiran. (In Persian)
Vaqa’e Etefaqiyeh newspaper, (1888 AD), No. 32. (In Persian)
Walcher, Heidi A. (2008 AD). In the Shadow of the King: Zill al-Sultan and Isfahan under the Qajar’s. I.B. Tauris Tauris in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation.
Wishard, J. (1984 AD). Twenty years in Iran. Tr. A. Pirnia. Novin. (In Persian)
Wright, D. (1985 AD). The English among the Persians. Tr. E. Deldam. Nahal. (In Persian)
 
 
Research Journal of Iran Local Histories
Volume 13, Issue 2 - Serial Number 26
April 2026
Pages 137-150
Files
Share
How to cite
Statistics