Trade and Enterprise: The Muslim Tujjar in the Ottoman Empire and Qajar Iran, 1860-1914

The Muslim tujjār were a significant economic force in the Middle East during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, investing in commercial agriculture and contributing to economic growth, political developments, and cultural change. They were the only indigenous elite group to bridge between traditional forces and Western attitudes and practices.

Format: Hardback
Length: 284 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Until recently, the historiography of Middle Eastern economic elites during the first globalization has overlooked the significant contribution of Muslim tujjār (big merchant-entrepreneurs). Foreign firms and local minorities have been considered the primary agents of economic change and the initiators of economic growth.

The 12 studies in this volume demonstrate that the Muslim tujjār played a significant economic role in various regions of the Middle East during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Their investments, primarily in commercial agriculture, led to economic growth and transformed economic structures and social relations in many Middle Eastern communities. They were also involved in political developments, some of which had a profound impact on the history of their countries, such as late Qajar Iran. Moreover, they played a unique role in the process of cultural change. While they financially supported the ʿulamāʾ, they also contributed to the establishment of new educational and cultural institutions.

The story of the tujjār is unique in the sense that it was the only indigenous elite group in the pre-World War I Middle East to bridge between traditional forces and concepts and Western attitudes and practices. This unique position allowed them to influence economic and social developments in their respective regions and to play a significant role in shaping the modern Middle East.

In conclusion, the Muslim tujjār has been largely ignored in the historiography of Middle Eastern economic elites during the first globalization. This volume seeks to rectify this oversight by highlighting their significant economic, political, and cultural contributions to the region. By studying the experiences of the Muslim tujjār, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex and multifaceted history of the Middle East during this period and its impact on the world.

Weight: 710g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032011592