Recognition of the Port of Khur Shif and its Importance in the Era of Atabaks and Ilkhanas

In various historical periods, the peninsula of Bushehr has facilitated maritime communications in the middle of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf through important ports such as Lian, Rishehr, and Bushehr. However, from the sixth to the eighth century AH, it seems that this role transferred to the new port of Khurshif located within cape Shif. The present research studies the creation, operations, and decline of this port. It demonstrates that, during the sixth century, Khurshif was created due to its geographical position; that is because it was convenient to Shiraz, Kazeroon, and the Persian Gulf. Then, during the seventh and early eighth century, it played important roles in the connection between Fars and southern Iraq, the defense of the Kish Island, and the expansion of the Murshadi path. Finally, it deteriorated due to insecurity in the southern regions of the country and the shift of the centrality of the Persian Gulf sea power to New Hormuz (Jerun). The findings highlight the geographical importance of the cape Shif and illuminate a part of the history of marine activities around the peninsula of Bushehr during the Middle Ages of Iran.