Razi University

In collaboration with the Department of History, the Iranian Historical Association of Kermanshah Province, and the Center for Historical Studies (Archives, Documentation, and Museum), the Office of International Affairs at Razi University organized a scholarly lecture titled:
"An Analysis of the Relations between the British East India Company and Iran during the Safavid Era and Their Lasting Impact"
The event took place on Tuesday, April 13, 2025, and featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Pirouz Dibaian, a distinguished Iranian researcher based abroad and affiliated with the University of Montreal, Canada.
The session was hosted by Dr. Sajjad Dadfar, Associate Professor in the Department of History at Razi University, who introduced Dr. Dibaian’s academic background and offered a brief overview of the British East India Company.
Dr. Dibaian emphasized the crucial role of humanities scholars—especially historians—in Iran, stating:
“Our people need to connect with the great heritage of this ancient land.”
He introduced Iran’s historical trade routes, including the Silk Road, and explained the country’s longstanding economic importance to foreign powers. Drawing on the Annales School of historiography, he examined major events of the 16th and 17th centuries, addressing political, social, economic, and cultural transformations in Iran and comparing them to the religious and social structures of early modern Europe.
Dr. Dibaian analyzed the approach of the British East India Company—as part of Europe’s emerging modern trade systems—against Iran’s more traditional commercial structures, which relied on diverse religious and ethnic minorities. He explained how the fall of Constantinople and Sultan Mehmed II’s policies toward European traders prompted European maritime powers to seek alternative routes, which eventually led to colonization in Asia and India. He noted that Britain, using its naval power, gradually dominated regions such as China and India and extracted vast resources and cultural achievements from them—contributing significantly to European wealth and the rise of global trade.
Using various maps and archival documents, Dr. Dibaian also discussed Portuguese, Dutch, and French colonial activities in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, describing these incursions as sources of instability and unrest for the local populations.
He then offered a critical perspective on the Safavid economy, highlighting the importance of Persian silk to European markets and the role of Armenian merchants. He emphasized Shah Ismail I’s establishment of Shiism, conflicts with the Ottomans and Uzbeks, and diplomatic engagement with European powers as key political and economic turning points. He also underscored the strategic significance of Iran’s southern maritime routes and the presence of the British East India Company in the Persian Gulf, which deeply affected Iran’s political and economic life.
The lecture was also streamed online for those unable to attend in person. Dr. Dibaian concluded the session by summarizing his key points and responding to audience questions.
 

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