Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Corresponding author, Associate Professor, Department of History, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 PhD Candidate of History, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

10.22059/jhss.2023.353538.473619

Abstract

In the 16th century, international trade underwent profound changes, the establishment of trade corporations and new trade routes being among the most significant proofs and evidence. The Muscovy Company was one of the first companies to successfully explore and incorporate a new marine route into international trade. It was also able to initiate the first direct commercial and diplomatic relations between England and Iran through the northern seas and Russia. However, after twenty years of business work in Safavid Iran, it ceased its commercial activities in Iran and English commerce. This paper investigates the causes that prompted Muscovy Company to discontinue trade with Iran via the northern seas with Russia, as well as the effective factors that led to this decision. This paper employs a descriptive-analytical approach based on library sources to investigate the reasons for the temporary break in commercial relations between England and Iran in the second half of the 16th century. Our research indicates that the political relations between the Safavid, Ottoman, Russian, and English governments, as well as the ensuing wars and peace, competition, and hostile relations, negatively impacted the company's operations. The geographical and security conditions that dominated the company's route created numerous obstacles for the business of the English merchandise. In addition to overcoming these obstacles, they had to compete with ancient and experienced Turks, Armenians, and Venetians on the Iranian market. The aforementioned impediments persuaded the London-based leaders of the Muscovy Company to abandon trade with Iran via the northern routes.

Keywords

Main Subjects

ابع
استریکلر، جیمز ای (1381). روسیۀ تزاری. ترجمۀ مهدی حقیقت‌خواه. تهران: ققنوس.
الصلابی، علی محمد (2001). الدوله العثمانیه عوامل النهوض و اسباب السقوط. دار التوزیع و النشر الاسلامیه.
اولئاریوس، آدام (1369). سفرنامۀ آدام اولئاریوس. ترجمۀ حسین کردبچه. تهران: کتاب برای همه.
بیات، اوروج بیک (1338). دون ژوان ایرانی. ترجمۀ مسعود رجب‌نیا. تهران: بنگاه ترجمه و نشر کتاب.
حسینی استرآبادی، سید حسین بن مرتضی (1366). تاریخ سلطانی از شیخ صفی تا شاه صفی. تهران: علمی.
روملو، حسن بیگ (1357). احسن التواریخ. تهران: بابک.
شاملو، ولی قلی بن داود قلی (1371). قصص الخاقانی. تهران: سازمان چاپ و انتشارات وزارت فرهنگ و ارشاد اسلامی.
شیرازی، عبدی بیگ (1369). تکمله الاخبار. تهران: نشرنی.
غفاری قزوینی، قاضی احمد (1342). تاریخ جهان‌آرا. تهران: حافظ.
کاتف، فدت آفاناس یویچ (2536). سفرنامۀ فدت آفاناس یویچ کاتف. ترجمۀ محمدصادق همایونفر. تهران: کتابخانۀ ملی ایران.
مستوفی، محمدمحسن (1375). زبده التواریخ. تهران: بنیاد موقوفات دکتر محمود افشار یزدی.
مشکوریان، محمدتقی (1392). کمپانی مسکوی و آغاز روابط مستقیم انگلستان با ایران در قرن شانزدهم میلادی. پژوهش‌های علوم انسانی، 17، 9-24.
منجم، ملا جلال (1366). تاریخ عباسی یا روزنامۀ ملاجلال. تهران: وحید.
واله اصفهانی، محمد یوسف (1372). خلد برین. تهران: بنیاد موقوفات دکتر محمود افشار یزدی.
Barbaro, J. & Contarini, A. (1873). Travels to Tana and Persia. New York: Burt Franklin.
Cawston, G. (1896). The Early Chartered Companies (A.D. 1296-1858). London & New York: Edward Arnold.
Curzon, G. N. (1892). Persia and the Persian Question. London: Spottiswoode and Co.
Fischer, D. (1970). The Development and Organization of English Trade to Asia: 1553-1605. A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of London, London.
Gross, G. W. C. (2019). Ivan IV and Elizabeth I: the Influence of the Tsar’s Matrimonial Endeavours on the Development of Russo-English Relations. Rudn Journal of Russian History, 18(4), 938-961.
Hakluyt, R. (1886). The Principal Navigation Voyages Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation. Edinburgh: E. & G. Goldsmid.
Hakluyt, R., & Purchas, S. (1830). The Origin and Early History of the Russia or Muscovay Company. London.
Hanway, J. (1753). A historical account of the British trade over the Caspian Sea. London.
Holt, P. M., & Lambton, A. K. S., & Lewis, B, (Eds.). (1970). The Cambridge History of Islam. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
Jackson, P., & Lockhart, L, (Eds.). (1986). The Cambridge History of Iran: The Timurid and Safavid Periods. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
Matthee, R. (1994). Anti-ottoman Politics and Transit Rights: The Seventeenth Century Trade in Silk between Safavid Iran and Muscovy. Cahiers du Monde Russe, 35(4), 739-761.
Meshkat, K. (2009). The journey of master Anthony Jenkinson to Persia, 1562-1563. Journal of Early Modern History, 13(2), 209-228.
Morgan, E. D., & Coote, C. H. (Eds.). (1886). Early Voyages and Travels to Russia and Persia. New York: Burt Franklin.
Mustafayev, Sh. (2018). The trade routes and the silk trade along the western coast of the Caspian Sea from the 15th to the first half of the 17th century. Acta Via Serica, 3(2), 23-48.
Ohberg, A. (1955). Russia and the world market in the seventeenth century: A discussion of the connection between prices and trade routes. Scandinavian Economic History Review3(2), 123-162.
Savory, R. (1980). Iran under the Safavids. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Shaw, S. (1976). History of the Ottoman Empire and Modern Turkey. Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press.
Smith, M. W. (1920). The English in Russia during the Second Half of the Sixteenth Century. Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, 3, 72-102.
Tran, T. K. (2008). Growth of Joint Stock Companies in the Seventeenth Century. Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Master of Arts. San Jose State University, San Jose.
Vaughn, E. V. (1912). English Trading Expeditions into Asia under the Authority of the Muscovy Company (1557-1581). In Studies in the History of English Commerce in the Tudor Period. New York: University of Pennsylvania, 127-214.