A Comparative Study of the Economic and Financial Activities of the Zoroastrians of Yazd (From the Safavid Period to the End of the Qajar Period)

Abstract

Zoroastrianism is one of the ancient and officially recognized religions of Iran. Owing to its location in central Iran, proximity to the desert, and accessibility to various regions, Yazd historically served as a refuge for Zoroastrians. From an economic and commercial perspective, its geographical position also facilitated their access to the Silk Road. As a community that has constituted an integral part of Iranian history from the pre-Islamic period to the present, Zoroastrians warrant a prominent place in historical scholarship. Nevertheless, the number of studies devoted to them remains limited in comparison with the long history of their presence in Iran. The present study aims to identify and historically analyze the economic conditions of the Zoroastrians of Yazd during four successive periods: the Safavid, Afsharid, Zand, and, finally, Qajar periods. Accordingly, the principal research question is as follows: What role did the Zoroastrians of Yazd play in the economic activities of the region from the Safavid period to the end of the Qajar period, and what effects did these activities have on the economic, social, and cultural structure of Yazd? The findings indicate that the Zoroastrians of Yazd encountered various economic and social challenges from the Safavid through the Qajar periods. During the Safavid era, religious restrictions and pressures persisted; nevertheless, their commercial and agricultural skills enabled them to preserve their economic livelihood. During the Qajar period, their economic circumstances improved, particularly in the textile industry. With the support of the Parsis of India and Manekji, the Zoroastrians of Yazd were able to enhance their economic standing and assume an important role in the regional economy. During the Safavid, Afsharid, and Zand periods, although the state's treatment of Zoroastrians gradually shifted from the Safavids’ confrontational approach toward the more interactive approach characteristic of the Qajar era, Zoroastrians were generally unable to engage in extensive economic activities because of such factors as the jizya and heavy taxation. During the Qajar period, however, the arrival of the Parsis of India in Iran contributed to the expansion of Zoroastrian economic activities and commerce, while they also received reductions in the jizya and other taxes. This study employs a descriptive-analytical research method.