Mālīya (Finance), and the Financial Status of Iran During Mīrzā Ḥusain Khān Sipahsālār’s Premiership (1288-1290 A.H./1871-1877 A.D.)

تاریخ و فرهنگ

Article 1, Volume 55, Issue 2 - Serial Number 111, March 2024, Pages 9-45   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jhistory.2023.83918.1246

Author

Seyyed Mostafa Huseini^*

PhD Graduate, History and Civilization of Islamic Countries, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Mīrzā Ḥusain Khān Sipahsālār rose to premiership at a time when the economic and financial conditions of the country were critical and the government was on the brink of bankruptcy. In order to improve the financial situation and to organize financial affairs, he initiated several reforms in the country. The present study aims at investigating the success or failure of his plans of financial reform through the examination of financial documents and their impact on the country’s income and expenditure. In doing so, the study employs the descriptive-analytical method. Findings of the study illustrate that Mīrzā Ḥusain Khān brought order to bureaucratic and financial matters through the strengthening of central power and legislation, and expanding control and supervision over rulers and administrators. In addition, his reformations and his restrictive financial policy succeeded in providing the necessary financial resources for the development of infrastructure and carrying out large-scale economic projects. According to financial records, by the end of the second year of Mīrzā Ḥusain Khān’s premiership in 1289-1290 A.H./1872-1873 A.D., the government had paid its debts, settled delayed treasury allowances, and created a balance among income and expenditure. A considerable amount of this money was deposited in treasury savings.

Keywords

Qājārīyya; development; Mīrzā Ḥusain Khān Sipahsālār; financial reformation; Governmental income and expenditure

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