The Influence of Nader Shah's Militarism Policies on the Iranian Foreign Trade

The time of Nader Shah (1148-1160 H) is considered as the period of rebellions and continuous civil and foreign wars in the history of Persia, which followed the fall of the Safavid dynasty. This influenced the social and economic sectors in Iran. This study is supposed to indicate the effects of Nader Shah’s militarism policies on Iran foreign trade. It uses descriptive and explanatory methods to interpret the problem. One of the important discussions in Iran economy at the time of Nader Shah is the downturn of the Iran foreign trade, which was continued from the Safavid era. Due to Nader Shah’s militarism policies, the situations became worse and the high costs of his social-economic policies were obstacles to the economic growth. Nader’s militarism policies which led to getting high tax, demolishing the agricultural and economic foundations and internal insecurity, ended up with a decrease in the production of the principal export goods, i.e. silk and wool. Reduction of these commercial goods increased their prices, which in turn impacted the foreign trade of Iran. Overseas companies faced reduction in gaining benefit because of the internal situation of Iran. Therefore, their activities and communications with Iran decreased excessively.