Shirvān and Russian-Persian Trade during the Reign of Shāh Safī (1629–1642)

Abstract. The study deals with the issue of Safavid beylerbeylik Shirvān and its role in Russian-Persian trade relations in the period of Shāh Safī I (1629–1642). From the 16th century onward, Russian-Persian trade relations became regular and gradually strengthened and developed. Safavid Persia organised numerous trade expeditions to the Russian territory. Shirvān as a border area in the Caucasus a Caspian region played an important role in Russian-Persian caravan trade. Along with Persian Shah’s merchants, Shirvānian beylerbey’s merchants also came to Russian cities and tried to gain trade privileges. Besides that, since the 15th century Shirvān was an important centre of raw silk production in Persia. Merchants from Shirvān and Persia imported silk and Eastern goods to Russian markets. The area of Shirvān also served as important crossroads of trade caravan routes. Through Shirvān, Persian merchants travelled (by land or by sea) to the territory of the Russian Tsardom. Based on the analysis of yet unpublished archival materials from the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (relating to the reign of the Persian Shāh Safī (1629–1642)), I will present the above-mentioned issue.

Keywords: Shirvān, silk, trade, Safavid Persia, Russian Tsardom, 17th century, Shāh Safī.