التطور التاريخي للكمارك في بلاد فارس

للمدة 1813-1925م

Abstract

      Persian customs witnessed significant historical development between 1813 and 1925, directly linked to the political and economic transformations that took place in Persia during the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods. The signing of the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813 marked the beginning of a new phase of foreign intervention in Persian customs affairs, granting trade privileges to Tsarist Russia. This trend was further reinforced by the Treaty of Turkmenchay in 1828, which established a low customs tariff (5%) on foreign imports, weakening Persian economic sovereignty and harming local industries. During the second half of the 19th century, customs became increasingly important as a major source of revenue for the Persian state. However, weak administration and widespread corruption prevented the government from effectively utilizing it. In an attempt at reform, the Persian state sought the assistance of foreign experts, most notably the Belgian Joseph Nouz, who took over the management of customs from the late 1890s and contributed to organizing tax collection. Unifying procedures, however, his policies provoked widespread national opposition due to their subservience to foreign influence. The Constitutional Revolution (1905–1911) led to the introduction of concepts of parliamentary oversight and financial transparency, so customs was subject to the supervision of the Consultative Assembly and included in the state’s general budget. Nevertheless, Russian and British influence remained influential until the end of Qajar rule in 1925.