Geographical distribution of merchant minorities (Armenians, Indians, Jews, Zoroastrians) in Iran during the reign of Shah Abbas I Safavid

Merchant minorities were an active group in the Iranian economy during the Safavid era. During this period, due to a series of internal and external developments such as border disputes, the entry of European companies into Iran and the actions of the Safavid kings to improve the economic situation Trade routes changed. Armenian, Indian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian merchants were scattered throughout Iran in proportion to their financial, economic, and political interests. This study was conducted using library study method and descriptive-analytical method, While examining the geographical distribution of merchant minorities in the Safavid territory, it explains why and How. The research findings indicate that the geographic dispersion of merchants' minorities is also influenced by the set of internal and external developments of Iran during the Safavid period, so that the community and settlement of merchants' minorities have been alongside commercial routes that are from the north, center and south of Iran Passing through. These merchants were turned over by transporting manufactured goods to other parts of Iran and beyond the political borders of the Safavid government.