The Organization of the Guilds in Ilkhanid Era

After the establishment of urban life in Iran and the stabilization of its structure; City Baazar also obtained a particular order and merchantile activities took place in the framework of guild organization. However; considering the essence of governments and political structure in Iran, guilds were not independent entities and their establishment and the continuity of their activities were linked to the goals of the government and heads of the guilds were appointed by governmental authorities; and as parts of governmental apparatus were of the service of the ruling class and easier administration of the city. Only in limited occasions, as the political situation required, guild likewise other urban associations, got the opportunity to organize themselves and make their organizations more effective. Ilkhanid Era is one of those limited occasions in which either out of necessity and self preservation or out of choice and in the direction of being more progressive, the organizational activity of merchants and craftsmen became more disciplined or its dimensions developed. The study of the grounds of this matter and the reasons for the progressivity are the activities of the grounds of guilds in this Era, and their position in the structure of urban life are objectives of this research