Studying of the Role of Armenians in Boushehr Customs during the Qajar period based on the Documents of that Period )1210-1332 AH/1795-1914AD)

Armenians are considered among the effective minorities in Iranian economic and commercial life in different eras. Persian Gulf seaports, especially the port of Boushehr and its customs office were among the places, where Armenians had active roles in it during the Qajar era. In addition to being the economic forum of the state of Fars, in Qajar era, Boushehr was considered as one of the most important importing and exporting gateways and Iranian connection sites with other countries of the world. Therefore, Boushehr customs office was one of the most active economic institutions in that era. The main aim of this research, which is organized by descriptive-analytical basis and conducted via library resources, is to answer the important question regarding the roles of Armenians in Boushehr customs office, in the Qajar era. Analysis of the evidences indicates that Armenians were on the top of prominent occupations from the establishment of the customs office in Bouhehr up to the peak of economic activities of that establishment in Qajar period. While organizing the situations in Boushehr customs office, equipping and developing it in that era, Armenians dealt with fighting against smuggling of goods, developing the customs office branches, and supervising the performances of those branches, as well as training and instructing the relevant staff. Moreover, through presenting initiating plans for utilizing the customs office facilities, Armenians played a considerable role for the continuation of the activities of the institutes in Boushehr and other ports in the south of Iran