Examining the supervisory performance of the Pahlavi government on the Bushehr port market (1304-1320 A.H.)

Chamankar, Mohammad Jafar; Haghparast, Galaya

doi:10.30465/sehs.2024.48135.1969

Examining the supervisory performance of the Pahlavi government on the Bushehr port market (1304-1320 A.H.)

Document Type : .

Authors

mohammad jafar chamankar ¹

galaya haghparast ²

¹ Associate Professor of History, Urmia University

² M.A, Culture and Ancient Languages, Bushehr -Branch,- Islamic Azad University

https://doi.org/10.30465/sehs.2024.48135.1969

Abstract

The Bushehr Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars on the northern shores of the Persian Gulf. The history of this bazaar dates back to the founding of the Bushehr Port during the Afsharid period, and it further evolved during the Zandiyeh and Qajarid dynasties. During the Pahlavi era, the Bushehr Bazaar underwent numerous ups and downs. Although it had lost its past prosperity, it fell under the strong influence of the dominant discourse of modern Iran, to the extent that other institutions were influenced by it.
The purpose of this article, with a focus on the Bushehr market during the Pahlavi era, is to shed light on the aspects and set of supervisory actions of the Pahlavi I government. At the same time, attention has been paid to the question of how the Pahlavi government controlled and supervised the Bushehr market. The Bushehr Iranology Foundation Archive and the National Documents Center and newspapers form the main basis of this research. Newspapers such as the Persian Gulf and Koshesh are among the sources used in this research. A descriptive-analytical approach has been used to advance the research question. These sources have provided new and fresh information about the research. Finally, it seems that in addition to being the center of gravity of commercial and economic activities during the Qajar and early Pahlavi periods, a variety of goods from around the world were offered in the Bushehr market and it was influenced by trade relations with India and the attention of European powers. With the rise of the Pahlavi I, the Persian Gulf commercial hub was transferred from Bushehr to Khorramshahr and Bandar Shahpur, but Bushehr still thrived. The Pahlavi government intensified its supervision of the market by creating new institutions such as the Municipality and the Finance Department, and tried to bring Bushehrs economy under its control. The governments policies on commodity smuggling, commodity pricing, combating overpricing and under-delivery, and addressing food shortages indicate an attempt to regulate the market and address peoples livelihood challenges. In times of crisis, such as the upheaval caused by the fall of the government in September 1941, which led to the collapse of Irans political and economic stability and had negative impacts on the Bushehr market, the government took immediate action, such as drafting by-laws and supervising guilds, to bring order to the chaotic market. They tried to meet peoples needs by importing items such as sugar and wheat. Meanwhile, the government carried out its supervisory activities through the Municipality, which was the driving force behind the Bushehr market. Therefore, in order to supervise the market, the government had to take important steps such as a series of deterrent actions to control commodity smuggling, price commodities in the market, regularly visit shops, census shops, address shortages such as food shortages, and confront hoarders and overpricers, organize active guilds in the market, and organize and prepare a charter for coffee houses, cookhouses, and barbershops.
The Bushehr Chamber of Commerce also improved the situation by liberalizing monopolized goods such as sugar, sugar cubes, and tea. Commercial ships, and even English ships, docked at the Bushehr pier and unloaded their cargoes, which included sugar, wheat, and other essential items. This led to an increase in the flow of goods into the Bushehr market.
The collective efforts of the municipality and market inspectors yielded positive results. Food shortages were largely addressed, and more items were made accessible to the public. Similar measures were taken to reduce the prices of other essential commodities. Despite these efforts, challenges persisted. A scarcity of bread and cereals led to public discontent. The shortage of rice also resulted in hoarding and economic strain on citizens. To address these issues, rice was imported from other cities, and rationing of sugar was implemented.
The Bushehr Municipality and the Finance Administration, along with other institutions, made relentless efforts to improve the situation. Regular health inspections and supervision were part of these efforts. However, the market remained unstable, and complete satisfaction among the people was not achieved, but these same actions in the field of market services and its non-closure as the economic center and the beating heart of the city were achieved.

Keywords

First Pahlavi

Persian Gulf

Bushehr market

municipality

monitoring

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