Commerce in port of Bushehr in the Persian Gulf Region (Qajar Period)

During the Qajar Period, Bushehr enjoyed a significant political, commercial, and cultural status as the main commercial port of Iran. The important commercial role of this port is explained through its interactions with the economic and political status and the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf in the 18th and 19th centuries. The unique status of the Persian Gulf in eastern and western countries and the colonial competitions among big countries have always persuaded colonial countries to impose their power on the port of Bushehr in order to consolidate their own benefits. This paper investigates the different features of commerce, customs system, and the communication network of Bushehr during the Qajar Era. It concludes that, in this Era imports had priority over exports, and most of the imported commodities consisted of industrial goods. The most important commercial partner of Iran in the Qajar Period was England.