Document Type : Research Paper
Author
tehran university
Abstract
This study examines the position of the historical port of Siraf in the formation, expansion, and continuity of commercial relations between Iran and East Africa from the 3rd to the 6th centuries AH.
Main Research Question: In what ways Siraf contribute to the development of commercial relations between Iran and East Africa?
Research Hypothesis: The research is based on the hypothesis that Siraf, as an international port and the principal maritime base of Iranians during the early Islamic centuries, functioned not only as a center for the exchange of goods but also as a key conduit for human mobility and cultural and technical interactions between Iran and East Africa.
Methodology/Approach: The study employs a descriptive–analytical methodology, drawing on early Islamic historical and geographical sources, travel accounts, archaeological evidence, and historical data analysis to evaluate Siraf’s role within the Indian Ocean trade system.
Findings and Conclusion: The findings indicate that during the early Islamic centuries, Siraf operated as a central hub within the Indian Ocean commercial network rather than merely a trading post. Its strategic geographical position, advanced maritime facilities, and the presence of an influential class of merchants and sailors enabled the port to support extensive economic exchanges as well as sustained human, cultural, and technical interactions with the East African coast. Siraf played a crucial role in organizing maritime voyages and providing logistical support for the migration of Shirazi Iranians to East Africa, thereby reinforcing its significance in regional relations from the 2nd to the 6th centuries AH.
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