Socio-economic Life of Jews of the Ports and Island of the Persian Gulf in the Safavid Period

The Persian Gulf has long been home to many ethnic groups due to its migratory nature. For a long time, because of shipping and trade, there has been a kind of interaction and cooperation between the population living there, regardless of any religious affiliation or prejudice. One of the groups with a long history in the region is the Jews. Despite their small number, they have played an important role in the tumultuous history of the Persian Gulf and its islands and port. The present study tries to analyze the history of the presence of Jews in the Persian Gulf using a descriptive-analytical method based on library documents, and to answer the question of why and how from the middle of the Safavid period the role and position of the Jews in the socio-economic relations of the ports and islands of the Persian Gulf has diminished.The results of the study show that the beginning of the decline of the socio-economic status of Jews in the Persian Gulf dates back to the presence of the Portuguese in the region and the Safavid domination of the Persian Gulf coast intensified this. Influenced by domestic religious polities and international trade relations, the Safavid government continued the same policy and paved the way for the decline of the Jewish community in the Persian Gulf.

Jews, as one of the religious minorities, have long played an active role in the social and economic life of Iran. This historical background continued in the Safavid era and during this period this group continued its social life in various fields. The shores of the Persian Gulf are one of the areas where Jews lived, traded, and worked. This study seeks to examine the impact of the policies of the Safavid government on the decline of their social and economic status as one of the oldest religious communities in the Persian Gulf. Obviously, due to the little information we have in this regard, not all funds and areas can be examined and evaluated. Therefore, we have to pay attention only to the areas and issues about which data are available.

The present study uses a descriptive-analytical method based on the main sources. The aim of this paper is to investigate the socio-economic life of Jews in the Persian Gulf in the Safavids period.

Jews are one of the oldest religious-ethnic minorities in the Iranian society. Their geographical dispersion indicates that a specific point cannot be considered as their main habitat. This group scattered throughout Iran from the west to the central regions and from the central regions to the south, including the main area of their geographical distribution. One of the areas with a large Jewish presence was the shores of the Persian Gulf. This presence was accompanied by socio-economic activities there. What provided a good ground for such activities was the social context and structure of the Persian Gulf. The Persian Gulf, as one of the major trade routes, has been the center of international trade and commerce throughout history. This characteristic created a special social context and structure, the main feature of which was religious tolerance and mutual respect for different religions and denominations. This feature was so deep and lasting that it also affected the political structure of the region. Naturally, various religious groups, including the Jews, benefited from this socio-political structure. They operated freely in the various commercial and economic spheres without the slightest fear and were able to settle or travel in different parts of the region with no restriction.
With the arrival of the Portuguese, the socio-political climate of the region changed. They were staunch supporters of the Catholic Church and the Pope and did not give dignity to other religious groups. With their arrival, religious segregation in Hormuz, as the most important center of commercial and social, began exchange. They imposed more restrictions, especially on Jews, and even prevented new Jewish groups from entering the island. The defeat of the Portuguese and their expulsion from Hormuz strengthened the Safavids' presence on all the northern coasts and parts of the southern areas of the Persian Gulf. Despite the centennial presence of the Portuguese, the social fabric was so strong that indigenous and local communities could withstand external pressures and abuses and maintain and perpetuate their own archetype. Perhaps one of the main reasons for this failure is the alienation of the Portuguese themselves. This does not mean that their existence in this field has not been ineffective; rather, its effects have been few and far between.The Safavids at the beginning of their presence could not or did not want to change this structure. But later, under the influence of the court atmosphere, they pursued the same policy of restricting the Jews; a policy that was in stark contrast to the attitude of local bureaucrats and the social fabric and structure of the region. The growing weakness of the central government, which led to a reduction in court oversight of the rulers' performance, paved the way for further extortion. They put pressure on most groups and classes and found different ways to make a profit. Jews, meanwhile, were more likely to be abused.The change in the policy of the Safavid state not only affected the attitude of the bureaucrats towards Jews and other religious minorities but also affected the behavior of the indigenous community towards other religious groups in the long run. Despite the pessimistic view of the Safavid government and its supporters in the interior of Iran towards the Jews, we have no reports that the local communities on the shores of the Persian Gulf have taken a similar position. However, in the Qajar period, sources mention the negative view of the local community towards non-Islamic religious minorities although the actions of these minorities in changing this attitude should not be ignored. It can be assumed that the change in bureaucratic policies has also played an important role in this regard.