Commerce, empire and faith in Safavid Iran: thecaravanseraiof Isfahan

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is twofold: to explore how commercial hospitality has contributed to the development of urban areas in relation to commerce, hospitality, religious and imperial patronage in early modern, Safavid Iran (c. seventeenth century). Second, to combine material culture research methods in an analytical framework for future use. Design/methodology/approach -Data were collected during 27 site visits over three years to 14 caravanserai six bazaar complexes. A material culture methodology is proposed, designed and implemented, supplemented by analysis of textual sources. Findings -The form and function of caravanserai at Zein-i Edin broadly reflect the form and function of desert caravanserai common in much of the Islamic world. However, the complex within the Qaysariyya Bazaar in Isfahan reflects the convergence of specific dynastic, geopolitical and economic issues facing seventeenth century Safavid Iran shaping both urban form and commercial focus. These are consolidation of the Safavid dynasty, rivalry with the Ottoman Empire and the vital importance of trade with Mughal India.Research limitations/implications -The research is limited by its specific contextual scope but invites further investigation in analogous contexts across this milieu as well as further implementation of the material culture methods it adopts to both historical and contemporary commercial contexts. Originality/value -The paper explores, for the first time the development of commercial hospitality in early modern Iran and invites further consideration of the development of capitalism outside of Eurocentric teleologies. Furthermore, it presents a new and explicit methodological framework for using material culture as a means of enquiry.

Corporate social responsibility: reviewed, rated, revised

“…Inscriptions make it clear that the punishment for overcharging for beer was death by drowning, and that tavern keepers were required, on pain of death, to report all felonious customers (O’Gorman, 2009). As Bryce et al (2013) note, establishing caravanserai to provide hospitality for travellers is often reflected among the traditions and writings of the early Islamic world, and the social responsibility was exacting, e.g. in 719 ad : […] establish inns in your lands so that whenever a Muslim passes by, you will put him up for a day, and a night and take care of his animals; if he is sick, provide him with hospitality for two days and two nights; and if he has used up all of his provisions and is unable to continue, supply him with whatever he needs to reach his hometown (Al-Tabarı̄, [838]/1989).…”

Enterprise in the American West

“…Most particularly, the benefit of approaching this study as a case allowed the Fanthorp Inn to be considered in its historical context (Hoaglin et al, 1982). Historical cases have Enterprise in the American West been used in previous research to explore business development and change over long periods of time (Bryce et al, 2013;Downs, 2010;Fernández Moya, 2010;McGovern, 2007;Pajunen, 2006). A trend to return to historical, more archival-based methods in business research is explicitly called for by Tribe (2008, p. 697): "the lure of exotic settings often beckons more strongly than that of the library".…”

“…Particularly, knowledge of the history of the commercial hospitality industry remains vague and disjointed (Bryce et al, 2013;Crick and Spencer, 2010). Recent studies by O'Gorman (2009aO'Gorman ( , b, 2010 serve to accentuate the dearth of previous research into this area.…”

Experiences Marketing: A Cultural Philosophy for Contemporary Hospitality Marketing Studies

“…Often our understanding of the significance of food and hospitality has become embedded within contemporary society and individual cultures as the direct result of historical traditions. The relationship between the host and guest and the idea of "breaking bread" in the Christian tradition (Carvalhaes, 2010) or the Islamic caravanserais who provided food and shelter for pilgrims and travelers and (Bryce, O'Gorman, & Baxter, 2013), these are timeless and important examples of how the significance of hospitality has become formed and embedded within cultures and societies. While Russo (2012) explored the idea of hospitality providing "intimacy of the home," the idea that hospitality crosses cultures has been extensively explored.…”