The roles and functions of merchants in Birjand during the 13th and 14th centuries (H)

The merchant class, because of their effect on social and economical life of the society and their role in the process of social development, are worth studying and consideration. Merchants, as a social class and because of their interaction and relationship with other social classes including religious preachers and government officials, have had social influence and a variety of functions. Having a capital, too, has been a significant measure for the credit of this class. This factor has been important in presenting merchants as an influential class. In the present paper, first an outlook of the trade situation of 13th and 14th hejri centuries of Birjand has been drawn to study the role and function of merchants. In this outlook merchandise pieces, roads, cities, trade exchanging countries, and other effective factors on the trade of the region have been discussed. Following this, while mentioning the most important characteristics of the merchant class, their economical and non-economical functions have been taken into account.