Russian Trading Enterprises and Ginneries Activities in Sabzevar in Late Qajar Era

In the 2nd half of the 19th centrury, the cotton production decreased as a result of the US civil war, and this issue prompted some of the governments, especially Russia, to enter Iran to compensate for their cotton deficit. Since Russia had imposed and implemented the contents of two treaties of Gulistan and Turkmenchay and dominated the Iranian market, it took steps to purchase and procure cotton from Iran. Sabzevar which had become one of the major centers of cotton cultivation since long ago, due to its gepgraphical position, was among the regions that drew the attention of the Russian merchants to purchase and export this valuable produce, so that the Russians to achieve their aim, they set up trading enterprises in this city. These trading enterprises, in addition to exporting large amounts of cotton to Russia, had a great role in encouraging this region’s farmers to cultivate quality cotton. The present paper, using the library method and with relying on archival documents and evidence of the foreign ministry and the archives of the national library of Iran, intends to study and analyze the acticivities of the Russian trading enterprises and ginneries in cotton exports to Russia. The findings of the research indicate that in the late years of the Qajar era Sabzevar had a major role in producing and exporting cotton to Russia; a matter which resulted in establishment of Russian trading enterprises and ginneries in this city.