Mir Assadolah Salehi Panahi, et al.: Conquest of Lar in the era of Shah Abbas Safavi
80
Conquest of Lar in the era of Shah Abbas Safavi
MIR ASSADOLAH SALEHI PANAHI, PH.D., GHOLAMHOSEYN MEHRABI DARABI
Assistant Professor at Shabester IAU
Ph.D. candidate at Shabester IAU
Abstract: The presence of Ottomans on the western borders of Safavid Dynasty, which had a constant
enmity and conflict, was a great barrier for Iran’s trades with Europe and led Shah ‘Abbas the Great to
consider maritime trading through the Persian Gulf. That was while to achieve this, the coasts of the
Persian Gulf must be governed by Iranian government and the security of the path must be ensured.
Presence of the Portuguese in Hurmuz Island and autonomous government of Lar on the hinterlands of
the Persian Gulf were two major barriers in direct access to the sea. Shah ‘Abbas was tactfully able to
conquer Lar and overthrown its government which was the lead-up to the Conquest of Hurmuz.
Keywords: Conquest of Lar, Shah ‘Abbas Safavi, maritime trading, State of Fars, Allahverdi Khan
1.
Introduction:
Shah ‘Abbas’s policies for expanding maritime trading led to the significance of
the Persian Gulf’s hinterland. The fact that the traditional trade routes, which would
pass through Iraq and Syria and lead to Mediterranean ports, were threatened by the
Ottomans – who were the major enemy of Safavid’s during years – made Shah ‘Abbas
to consider the Persian Gulf as a maritime route for trading with European countries.
Presence of the Portuguese in the Persian Gulf and Hurmuz Island were the main
hurdles on the way of maritime trading in Iran. However, eliminating the Portuguese
was not possible without defeating the internal barriers. One of the major barriers was
the autonomous government of Lar which was located south of Fars and near the
Persian Gulf and was the key to conquer Hurmuz Island. Shah ‘Abbas was able to
defeat the autonomous government of Lar and annexed it to the State of Fars.
In order to achieve this, Shah ‘Abbas assigned Allahverdi Khan, who was one of
his best bureaucrats, as the governor of the State of Fars and as a result the State of Fars
was in the hands of Shah ‘Abbas. The second stage was about defeating the autonomous
government of Lar, through which, along with stabilizing the Safavid rule in the Persian
Gulf, they could have the opportunity to defeat the Portuguese. This was also assigned
to Allahverdi Khan and he could successfully perform this duty.
Unfortunately, most researchers have focused on the conflict between Iran and the
Portuguese and the conquest of Hurmuz Island, while they have neglected the conquest
of Lar. Maybe this is due to the fact that it was an internal affair and it did not have any
reflection in Europe and other countries.
2.
2.1.
Body:
Location of Lar
Lar City as the capital of Larestan County is located at the south of Fars
Province, 365 km south of Shiraz and 259 km away from Bandar ‘Abbas. The altitude
of the city is 909 m. Dry weather and lack of precipitation have been the perennial
problem of this region.
Considering what European tourists who had seen Lar up close, it could be
claimed that comparing to the other cities in Fars Province, Lar had been an average city
based on population and area. Giosafat Barbaro, the Venetian traveler, who had seen
TRANSACTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF NORTHUMBRIA (ISSN 0144-221X)
http://www.nsdt.org
 2015, NATURAL HISTORY SOC NORTHUMBRIA. ENGLAND
Mir Assadolah Salehi Panahi, et al.: Conquest of Lar in the era of Shah Abbas Safavi
81
Lar before the reign of Safavid Dynasty, expresses that: “Lar is a big and good city and
it is the center of trade with about two thousand houses around it”. (Barbaro, 1970)
According to this, it could be claimed that during Uzun Hassan of the Aq
Qoyunlu Dynasty, Lar had been a city with at least a population of ten thousand.
Acceding to Tavernier, Lar was a city with a medium size which did not have more than
a couple of caravansaries. (Tavernier, 1957)
The descriptions of Figueroa from Lar at the end of the rule of Shah ‘Abbas is
noteworthy. He has compared Lar with Hurmuz and he says: “Lar is almost the same
size as Hurmuz is, but its houses are not as good as the houses in Hurmuz. All houses in
Lar are made from clay and the façades are plastered by thatch and the interior walls are
whitewashed by gypsum. There a few two-story buildings in this city and they usually
do not have large windows. Houses have small windows which are decorated by
shutters or fescue. (Figueroa, 1984)
Lack of water is among the major problems in Lar and its surrounding areas,
since there are no river, canal or spring near there and rainfall is pretty low. The
drinking water of the city during Safavid Era would be provided from water reservoirs
which would be filled once or twice a year during rainfalls. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987)
There were a lot of such water reservoirs in Lar and its suburbs which would store the
needed water for people for a long time, since there would not be more than two or three
times of rainfalls in the region. (Tavernier, 1957)
Agriculture was not that common in Lar due to the lack of water and also the
arid land. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987) In fact, the only thing which would keep Lar alive
was its privileged position in the internal trading of Iran and the Persian Gulf shores and
Hurmuz Island. Barbaro, Venetian traveler, considers Lar a significant trading center
during Uzun Hassan’s era, through which many merchants and travelers had travelled,
landed or prepared to continue to their destination. (Barbaro, 1349)
In Safavid Era also, Lar was the trade center and usual settlement for the
caravans which would travel from Fars, Kerman and other regions of Iran to reach
Hurmuz and the shores of the Persian Gulf, or even for those who would travel from
Hurmuz and Arabia to reach cities in Iran. (Figueroa, 1984)
Lar had a large bazaar which is known as Bazaar Qeysariye (this bazaar is still
prosperous). This bazaar was established by a local governor and reconstructed by elites
of the city, time to time, as Haj Qanbar ‘Ali Beyg Zolaqdr who was he minister of Lar
reconstructed this bazaar fundamentally in 1607, for it was heavily damaged due to the
natural disasters and age. (Fasai, 1988) Figueroa has cited the bazaar of this city as the
main factor in reputation of Lar. (Figueroa, 1984)
2.2.
The Autonomous Government of Lar
From the old times, a family who would consider themselves decedents of
Gorgin, son of Milad, had a hereditary rule in Lar. (Qaffari Qazvini, 1964) Kings of the
autonomous government of Lar would obey the central government and save their
government by paying annual taxes and tributes, when there was a strong government
ruling Iran. However, when there was a weak government ruling Iran, the government
in Lar would refuse to pay their share and declare autonomy.
At the beginning of Shah ‘Abbas’s rule and after he could stabilize his
government, King of Lar began obeying him and sought safety. During Shah Tahmasb
era, initially Amir Shirvan ben Amir Abu Sa’id ben ‘Ala’olmolk was ruling the Emirate
of Lar. However, after his murder in 948 AH, his cousin, Ebrahim Khan ben
TRANSACTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF NORTHUMBRIA (ISSN 0144-221X)
http://www.nsdt.org
 2015, NATURAL HISTORY SOC NORTHUMBRIA. ENGLAND
Mir Assadolah Salehi Panahi, et al.: Conquest of Lar in the era of Shah Abbas Safavi
82
Mohammad Beyg ruled Lar. Like his predecessors, he obeyed the tribute the Safavid
government. (Qaffari Qazvini, 1964)
At the beginning of the reign of Shah Mohammad Khodabande, Nurodahr Khan
ben Enrahim khan, known as Shah ‘Adel (the just king) was ruling the emirate of Lar.
As he died, his son, Mirza ‘Ala’olmolk ruled Lar and he was dubbed as Ebrahim Khan
II by Shah Mohammad. Ebrahim Khan II was still ruling Lar during the time of Shah
‘Abbas.
2.3.
Beginning
When Shah ‘Abbas expedited to Shiraz to defeat Ya’qub Khan Zolqadr, the
governor of the State of Fars, unlike other rulers of the region who were supposed to
welcome the Shah, Ebrahim Khan did not welcome the Shah and sent one of his
commanders, Mir Dargah, to the Shah with presents. This deed of Ebrahim Khan made
Shah ‘Abbas upset and fostered hatred in his heart towards him. (Torkaman, 1971)
Eskandar Beyg claims that: “It was appropriate that Ebrahim Khan, at this time
that he could meet the Shah, would value the opportunity and welcome the Shah by
himself and ask for a close visit”. (Torkaman, 1971)
It seems that Ebrahim Khan was a scholar in science, poetry and music and he
was talented, while he was so humble and also addicted to opium. Maybe that is why
most of the affairs of Lar would be managed by Mir Dargah, while Ebrahim Khan
would not interfere with these affairs. Mir Dargahm might be an official like a minister
and he would decide who would be able to meet the Shah. Eskandar Beyg describes
Ebrahim Khan as: “He was a young, talented, humble, amorist and poet of nature. He
had studied most of the common sciences and he was skilled in music and history. But
sometimes he was simple minded. He didn’t have the skill in government and how to
interact in the country affairs. He became willing to consume opium and used to eat it in
high amounts”. (Torkaman, 1971)
Most of his problems with Safavid Dynasty surfaced during the reign of
Allahverdi Khan. Maybe Shah ‘Abbas was expecting an opportunity to remove him
from power, so Lar could be governed under his direct rule.
One of Ebrahim Khan’s weak points was his ego, although this ego was present
in all authoritarian rulers. About him, Reza Qoli Khan Hedayat writes: “When
Allahverdi Khan became the governor of the State of Fars, he was autonomous in Lar
and he wouldn’t obey the governor of the State of Fars”. (Hedayat, 1339)
In addition to his ego which was a natural issue, some other inappropriate deeds of his
were enough to upset Allahverdi Khan and Safavid government.
The main issue was the fact that the rulers of Lar were a barrier in direct contact
between Fars and the Persian Gulf coasts from southeast and also the fact that they had
a close cooperation with the Portuguese, which was in contrast with the policies of the
government in Iran and Shah ‘Abbas was concerned about the issue. (Bayat, 1949)
Especially that, the economic policies of Shah ‘Abbas for maritime trading through the
Persian Gulf required the prosperity of the central government in these coasts.
Most of the conflicts between the government of Lar and Fars were the border issues. It
is said that the governor of Lar had occupied the Sa’adat Abad Village of Juyom, which
was of the regions of Fars. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987) Although Juyom was a region in Lar
and it was obvious that Sa’adat Abad Village of Juyom also was a region in Lar, the
border issues were among the issues which could lead conflicts.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF NORTHUMBRIA (ISSN 0144-221X)
http://www.nsdt.org
 2015, NATURAL HISTORY SOC NORTHUMBRIA. ENGLAND
Mir Assadolah Salehi Panahi, et al.: Conquest of Lar in the era of Shah Abbas Safavi
83
Another issue was the fact that the government officials of the Shah’s court who
would enter Lar to collect the tributes. Would be faced with inappropriate encounters of
Mir Dargah. Such encounters were difficult for Shah ‘Abbas. (Torkaman, 1971)
Additionally, there were such as the inappropriate treatment of merchants who
would travel through Lar route and the large amount of the tributes they had to pay.
Merchants would complain about the situation to the Shah or the governor of Far.
(Torkaman, 1971) Among these complaints was the complaints of some christian
merchants in Kashan who complained about the situation to Shah ‘Abbas that their
possessions have been seized by force. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987)
Shah ‘Abbas, who would value security and was looking for a way to expand the
domestic and foreign trades, could not neglect the situation. Hence, he ordered
Allahverdi Khan, the governor of Fars, to take the possessions of the merchants from
Amir of Lar and send them back to him. Allahverdi Khan assigned a person called
Mozafar Beyg to take care of the situation in Lar, but Ebrahim Khan denied the whole
story. This led to a strong reaction from Allahverdi Khan. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987)
To run the command of Shah ‘Abbas, the governor of Fars sent Mozafar Beyg
along with the aforementioned merchants to Lar and he imparted the command of the
Shah to the Amir of Lar. However, Ebrahim Khan delayed in obeying the command of
the Shah. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987)
Considering the inappropriate behaviors of Ebrahim Khan, Allahverdi Khan set
off to Lar. When Ebrahim Khan saw himself in danger, he apologized and pledged to
correct his deeds and change the situation. , Allahverdi Khan forgave him and went
back to Shiraz.
Although Ebrahim Khan changed his behavior to some extent in that year, he
breached and forced the merchants who would enter Lar to pay him tributes.
(Torkaman, 1971)
Among other inappropriate behaviors of him with the merchants was his treatment of a
Venetian merchant called Santo Fonte. Along with a pretty Armenian woman, the
Venetian merchant had gone from Basra to Hurmuz Island for trades. On his way back
to Lar, he was invaded by Ebrahim Khan’s riders under his command. The Armenian
woman and his brother were arrested and taken to harem of Ebrahim Khan.
Santo Fonte complained to Shah ‘Abbas about the issue through another
Venetian called Takumufatva. Shah ‘Abbas commanded Allahverdi Khan to punish
Ebrahim Khan. (Falsafi, 1968)
2.4.
Conquest of Lar
Eskandar Beyg writes: “He again misbehaved and took tributes from the
merchants who would enter Lar. Merchants took complaints of Ebrahim Khan’s
officials and his failure to control them to the Shah. This time the Shah commanded him
to send back the possessions and punish those officials. The next time, Allahverdi Khan
himself went to Lar”. (Torkaman, 1971)
Allahverdi Khan along with fifteen thousand riders and infantry proceeded from
Shiraz towards Lar. On Tuesday, 4th of Jumada II of 1010 AH, the army of Fars reached
to Jak Jak Valley. A hard battel happened between them and the army of Amir of Lar,
which led to the defeat of the Army of Lar. After this victory of the army of Fars, they
proceeded until on Tuesday, 2nd of Rajab, they reached Lord Ahmadiyani which is
located in across for Lar City and Khoasravi Tower and camped there and began
preparing to conquer the castle. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987)
TRANSACTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF NORTHUMBRIA (ISSN 0144-221X)
http://www.nsdt.org
 2015, NATURAL HISTORY SOC NORTHUMBRIA. ENGLAND
Mir Assadolah Salehi Panahi, et al.: Conquest of Lar in the era of Shah Abbas Safavi
84
After the army of Fars surrounded the City of Lar in the morning of Thursday, 11th of
Rajab, Ebrahim Khan and a group of his army came out of the gates and attacked the
army of Allahverdi Khan. A hard fight took place in which many were killed in both
armies. Ultimately, the army of Lar were defeated and Ebrahim Khan and the remaining
of his army fled back to the castle. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987)
Ebrahim Khan who did not have the power to resist, send back the merchants’
possessions and apologized. Allahverdi Khan sent a message to him that if he still
respects Shah ‘Abbas, he must go to Shah ‘Abbas’s court in person and meet him
without any worries. Allahverdi Khan emphasized that he wouldn’t accept Ebrahim
Khan’s apologies, if he did otherwise.
Ebrahim Khan rejected the condition of going to Allahverdi Khan’s camp and
neglected that. He went back to his own castle and positioned. Allahverdi Khan sent his
army to conquer Lar. People were afraid of Qezelbash forces and one of the elites if
City of Lar, called Qazi Abulqasem – who were known to respect the Safavid Shah –
and his brother went to Allahverdi Khan. In the meanwhile, Ebrahim Khan sent one of
his commanders, called Noshad, to Allahverdi Khan to negotiate. But Noshad and his
companies were arrested with the charge of deceit and trickery and wearing armor under
clothes. This made Ebrahim Khan so worried and he saw reaching peace impossible.
Ebrahim Khan left the city and sheltered in the castle. (Torkaman, 1971) Several days
after this defeat, Ebrahim Khan, who saw resistance futile, asked for amnesty from
Allahverdi Khan and he surrendered after that. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987)
On this issue, Monajem Yazdi writes that: “Ebrahim Khan who saw this
situation, went to the castle and stroke there. The army of Allahverdi Khan reached the
castle and surrounded it”. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987) In this situation, the city was
conquered by Allahverdi Khan and the castle was surrounded. Ebrahim Khan resisted
for about 15 days, but he finally gave up and prepared to meet Allahverdi Khan in
person. (Torkaman, 1971; Monajem Yazdi, 1987) Allahverdi Khan respected his
dignity, but didn’t let him to go back and kept him by himself, (Torkaman, 1971;
Monajem Yazdi, 1987) and ordered to destroy the Keykhosrow Tower and Mir Dargah’
Castle and the walls of the city. (Monajem Yazdi, 1987)
The government and security of Lar was assigned to Qazi Abolqasem, by
Allahverdi Khan and they took Ebrahim Khan to Shiraz, along with the possessions and
trophies. (Torkaman, 1971; Monajem Yazdi, 1987)
When Shah ‘Abbas heard the news of the suppression of the rebellion in Lar, he
was in Khorasan. (Torkaman, 1971) Allahverdi Khan joined Shah ‘Abbas in Badqeys
and tendered Shah ‘Abbas with whatever he had gained from the battle of Lar, including
a bejeweled crown, known as Keykhosroi or Khosravani Crown, which was supposed to
be related to the ancient Shahs of Lar and ancestors of Ebrahim Khan. (Torkaman,
1971; Hedayat, 1971)
Ebrahim Khan died of a disease which was prevailed in the Shah’s camp in
Badqeys. (Torkaman, 1971) However, at that time, it was rumored that he was
poisoned by the command of Shah ‘Abbas or Allahverdi Khan.
An anonymous author during Safavid Era had recorded the fall of the local dynasties of
Lar to be 1010 HA, in Abjad letters. (Vosuqi, 1990)
Thus, the territory of the autonomous Amirs of Lar were annexed to the State of
Fars and Lar remained a part of the State of Fars until the death of Imam Qoli Khan in
1042 HA. (Khajegi Isfahani, 1989)
TRANSACTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF NORTHUMBRIA (ISSN 0144-221X)
http://www.nsdt.org
 2015, NATURAL HISTORY SOC NORTHUMBRIA. ENGLAND
Mir Assadolah Salehi Panahi, et al.: Conquest of Lar in the era of Shah Abbas Safavi
85
3.
Conclusion:
By traditional trade routes – which would pass Ottoman and Syria to reach
Europe – being closed, European decided to find a new way for trades and they could
reach the Persian Gulf after passing the Cape of Good Hope. Shah ‘Abbas also tried to
put Iran on the way of global trading. To achieve this, the maritime path of the Persian
Gulf was the best way. Hence, Shah ‘Abbas tried to remove the domestic and foreign
obstacles. Presence of the autonomous government of Lar in the hinterland of the
Persian Gulf was one of the major domestic obstacles which the Shah had to tackle.
Shah ‘Abbas initially took back the State of Fars from unruly Zolqadr Family and
entrusted it with one of his trustworthy officials, called Allahverdi Khan. Subsequently,
Alahverdi Khan invaded Lar under the policies of Shah ‘Abbas and overthrown this
dynasty forever and Lar was annexed to the State of Fars.
This helped with the stabilization of the Safavid Government’s power in the
Persian Gulf and also the conquest of Hurmuz Island and defeating the Portuguese in
Iranian Isles. In addition to this, the conquest of Lar reached the Safavid Rule power to
the Persian Gulf and helped with the maritime trading of Iran.
REFERENCES
1. Barbaro, Jozaphat and others(1970), Venetians itinerary in Iran, translator Manouchehr
Amiri, Tehran, Kharazmi
2. Bayat, Orouj Beig(1949), Don Joan Irani, translator Masoud Rajabnya, Tehran, Tarjome -0Nashre Ketab foundation
3. Tavernier, Jean Babtiso(1957), Itinerary, translator Abou Torab Noori, Esfahan, bookstore
taaed,
4. Torkaman, Eskandar Beig(1971) Alam Ara Abbasi, Tehran, Amir Kabir
5. Khajegi Esfahani, Muhammad Masoud(1989), Kholase Alseyr, Tehran, Elmi
6. Qafari Qazvini, Ahmad(1964) Jahan Ara, Tehran, Hafez bookstore
7. Fasaie, Mirza Hasan(1988), Fars Nameh Naseri, Tehran, Amir Kabir
8. Falsafi, Nasr Allah(1968), Shah Abbas's life
9. Figueroa, D. Garcia de silva(1984), Itinerary, translator Gholamreza Samie, Tehran, Nashr
Now
10. Monajem Yazdi, Molla jalal(1987), Tarikh Abbasi, Tehran, Vahid
11. Vosugi, Muhammad Bager(1990), Lar a gray colored city, Shiraz, publisher Kalame
12. Hedayat, Reza Goli Khan(1960), Roze Alsafa Naseri, Qom, Khayam and Pirooz central
bookstores
TRANSACTIONS OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF NORTHUMBRIA (ISSN 0144-221X)
http://www.nsdt.org
 2015, NATURAL HISTORY SOC NORTHUMBRIA. ENGLAND