The Opening Up of South-West Persia 1880-1914: A Study in Imperialism and Economic Dependence (Islamic Studies)

In the late 1800s, Britain began to put immense pressure on the Shah's government to open up the Karun trade route, which linked the Persian Gulf to the rich provinces in southwest Iran, to her trade and commerce, and influence. In October 1888, these pressures resulted in the Iranian Government's 'Proclamation', declaring the opening of the River Karun to international navigation, which benefited Great Britain in its attempt to penetrate the region. This book examines the diplomatic activities and behind-the-scene negotiations which led to the Karun opening, including an 'Assurance' given by Britain to the Shah against a Russian retaliation. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the region's demography, commerce and industry before the advent of the Karun, and the impact of Britain's political and commercial penetration, which eventually resulted in her total domination of the south. This analytical study of the Anglo-Iranian relationship is unique in its extensive use of the primary Persian sources and original material found at the Iranian Foreign Ministry archives which have been accessed by the author for the first time. In the late 1800s, Britain began to put immense pressure on the Shah's government to open up the Karun trade route, which linked the Persian Gulf to the rich provinces in south-west Iran, to its trade and commerce and influence. In October 1888, these pressures resulted in the Iranian government's 'Proclamation', declaring the opening of the River Karun to international navigation, which solely benefited Great Britain in its attempt to penetrate the region.This book examines the diplomatic activities and behind-the-scene negotiations which eventually led to the Karun opening, including an 'Assurance' given by Britain to the Shah against an anticipated Russian retaliation. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the region's demography, commerce and industry both before and after the advent of the Karun, and the impact of Britain's political and commercial penetration, which eventually resulted in its total domination of the south.Apart from its originality and other attributes which make it a genuine contribution to the field, this analytical study of the Anglo-Iranian relationship is also unique in its extensive use of the primary Persian sources and original material found at the Iranian Foreign Ministry archives which have been accessed by the author for the first time. "In the late 1800s, Britain began to put immense pressure on the Shah's government to open up the Karun trade route, which linked the Persian Gulf to the rich provinces in south-west Iran, to its trade and commerce and influence. In October 1888, these pressures resulted in the Iranian government's 'Proclamation', declaring the opening of the River Karun to international navigation, which solely benefited Great Britain in its attempt to penetrate the region." "This book examines the diplomatic activities and behind the-scene negotiations which eventually led to the Karun opening, including an 'Assurance' given by Britain to the Shah against an anticipated Russian retaliation. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the region's demography, commerce and industry both before and after the advent of the Karun, and the impact of Britain's political and commercial penetration, which eventually resulted in its total domination of the south."--Jacket Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 8 List of figures tables and documents......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Abbreviations......Page 13 Transliteration......Page 14 1 Introduction......Page 16 2 British policy in Persia and Wolff’s mission......Page 27 3 Assurances the Karun Proclamation and the Imperial Bank of Persia......Page 44 4 Socio economic conditions in Khuzestan prior to and on the eve of the Karun opening......Page 60 5 Patterns of trade in south Persia up to 1889......Page 89 6 Trade of the south Muhammareh 1890 1910......Page 100 7 Social and economic changes in Khuzestan after the Karun opening......Page 132 8 Consolidation of Britain’s influence in Khuzestan......Page 157 9 Conclusions......Page 197 Notes......Page 240 Sources......Page 281 Bibliography......Page 286 Index......Page 300 South-West Persia, geographical matrix, and the peoples Geography of the Karun Great Britain, the River Karun, and south-west Persia British policy in Persia and Wolffs mission Assurances, the Karun proclamation, and the imperial bank of Persia Socio-economic conditions in Khuzestan prior to and on the eve of the Karun opening Patterns of trade in south Persia up to 1889 Trade of the south, Muhammareh (1890-1910) Social and economic changes in Khuzestan after the Karun opening Consolidation of Britains influence in Khuzestan. This study of the Anglo-Iranian relationship analyses the opening up of the Karun trade, discussing the region's demography, commerce and industry before the Karun advent, and the impact of British political and commercial penetration