An investigation of the Drought and Famine in the Northern Regions of the Persian Gulf and the Reactions to it (1317-1324)

Due to its geographical location, Iran has faced many droughts and famines throughout history. One of these cases was the widespread and pervasive drought and famine in the Northern regions of the Persian Gulf between the years 1317 and 1324. Despite several studies in this field, researchers have provided an incomplete picture of this crisis. This research seeks to investigate the reflection of this crisis in the Northern areas of the Persian Gulf, located in the seventh and eighth provinces, in the mentioned period and examine the actions taken against this crisis. This research has been carried out using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on the library sources, archival documents, publications and new local sources. The results show that this crisis has been significantly reflected in the publications of that period, government documents and diaries in the form of reports of severe food shortages, insecurity, widespread deaths and extensive migration. However, referring to the same sources shows that the central government could not play an effective role in controlling this drought and famine due to various factors. In this regard, asking for help from the allies to provide food was not very fruitful. However, in some cases, actions were taken by them. On the other hand, the role of part of the social strata of the areas involved in this crisis has been effective and significant in reducing the suffering of the people.