Business Competition of Britain and Russia in Khorasan and Sistan in the Qajar Era

Khorasan and Sistan have great importance for Russia and Britain because of the strategic location and proximity to the borders of India, in the nineteenth century. The two power after a period military action and capture some cities; to advance their goals to preserve own interests in east Iran moved to commercial activities. In this study, we try to be analytical method and using library resources and newspapers and archival documents, respond to this question that; what were commercial competition results of Britain and Russia in Khorasan and Sistan? By examining and analyzing the business operations of Britain and Russia in Khorasan and Sistan, these was concluded that these two governments were able to establish bank branches in Mashhad, Birjand, Sistan, These two governments were able to establish a bank branch in Mashhad, Birjand, Sistan, construction of the railway and road, in addition to providing security and political stability, assume the movement of goods and financial transactions that it would led to the economic boom in Khorasan and Sistan. On the one hand, competition and commercial activities of these powers, led to an increase in the number of foreign forces in the region and on the other hand, led to an increase in the arrival of foreign goods that over time led to the destruction of local industries in these areas, the bankruptcy of local businessmen, guilds unemployment and falling living standards of workers and the local population.