Documentary Investigation of the Status of Foreign Trade in Eastern Cities of Iran Based on Documents (1889-1996 AD/1306-1314 AH)

British consulate in Mashhad had two Consul Generals in the first seven years of its activity: Major General Charles Smith McLean and Ni Elias. McLean was more reputed than Ni Elias but seemingly Ni Elias was a better manager. Providing exact and field reports, the Consulate General tried in those years to recognize the main economic and commercial decisions of Britain in India and England in order to promote Britain’s position in comparison to its rivals, especially Russia. So, it endeavored in the first place to accurately determine the position of the country and then propose major strategies to related decision makers. The related documents on economic issues included foreign and imported goods to the eastern Iran, introduced the trade routes to these cities, and reported the status of their rivals, especially Russia. Moreover, the documents included some analyses that could affects British officials and decision-makers. All the information had been summarized statistically and quantitatively in tables. All the above-mentioned data could give a picture of the economic and social conditions of the eastern cities of Iran of those years (1889-1896 AD/1306-1314 AH).