# Matenadaran, folio 1g, doc. 1288

Matenadaran, folio 1g, doc. 1288 is a Persian decree (farman) stored in the Catholicosate Archive of the Matenadaran in Armenia. Issued by the Iranian ruler Nader Shah (r. 1736–1747) at the request of Armenian merchants from Agulis (now in the Azerbaijan Republic) between December 1742 and January 1743, it is written in Shekasteh Nastaliq script. The decree addresses the taxes imposed on these merchants and the abuses and extortions carried out by Nader Shah's officials. Additionally, it provides a brief review of the historical context, particularly the economic conditions in Nader's empire, including Agulis. The decree was issued in response to a petition by Armenian merchants Hovhannes (Ovānis in Persian) and Martiros (Mardīrūs in Persian).

## Background

Agulis, a notable Armenian settlement in the province of Nakhchivan, was renowned for its handicraft production and extensive trade connections in the 17th–18th centuries. During this period, it was predominantly inhabited by Armenian merchants. In 1735, Nakhchivan was conquered by Iranian ruler Nader Shah (r. 1736–1747) following a series of battles against the Ottomans and incorporated into his empire. Between 1741 and early 1743, Nader Shah's costly and unsuccessful military campaigns in Daghestan strained his empire's finances. To address the financial shortfall, Nader Shah ordered governors in 1742–1743 to levy taxes and collect arrears, even from those previously exempt. This led to widespread tax extortion and fines imposed on the population by Nader Shah's officials. The empire's economic crisis forced the government to demand large sums from inhabitants of various settlements, including wealthy merchants who faced heavy fines and additional taxes.
Historical sources document Nader Shah's harsh treatment of merchants from the beginning of his rule. The Armenian historian Abraham Yerevantsi recorded the mistreatment of Christian merchants in Hamadan in 1730. Further accounts of the negative impact on Armenian merchants, particularly in New Julfa, are noted in the Chronicle of the Carmelites. The severe treatment of merchants and the resulting economic hardships led many to leave Iran for countries where they had established trade networks. This migration exacerbated the economic decline in Nader Shah's empire and prompted the exodus of Armenian merchants from the South Caucasus and New Julfa.

## Hovhannes and Martiros

Hovhannes (Ovānis) and Martiros (Mardīrūs) were merchants from Agulis who departed the town in the mid-eighteenth century, transferring their property to the St. Tovmas Monastery. Their documents, including purchase deeds, are part of the Armenian annotations detailing estates and property bestowed to the monastery by residents who left Agulis. The document in question was issued by Nader Shah in response to their petition and is one of approximately 100 Persian documents associated with these merchants, offering extensive insights into their lives and activities both in Agulis and beyond.
Hovhannes and Martiros were brothers, sons of Srapion (or Srafion), identified in family records from 1699 and 1725/6 as a recipient of property. Srapion held significant titles such as ʿamdat al-tujjār ("head of the merchants") and ra'īs al-niṣārī ("chief of the Christians"), reflecting his prominent status among local Armenian merchants.
Both Hovhannes and Martiros bore the title khvajeh, denoting wealthy merchants who often occupied administrative roles. They conducted trade along routes passing through Bayazed and Aleppo in Ottoman territory, and through Ganja, Shaki, and Qabala in Eastern Transcaucasia. Various documents indicate that Khvajeh Hovhannes had administrative responsibilities, including overseeing the levy of state taxes from Agulis and over ten villages in Nakhchivan to shield them from tax extortion. The brothers owned land in Agulis, Terunis, Vanand, and nearby villages. Additionally, they held joint ownership of a mill, a guest-house (caravanserai), and a calico manufacturing facility, which they rented out.
The wealthy Armenian merchants from Agulis, who had extensive trade connections within the Ottoman Empire and the eastern South Caucasus, were the recipients of the decree. This decree sought to curb the illegal actions and extortion perpetrated by officials against these merchants, reflecting a prevalent issue of the era. It reiterated the stipulations of several previous decrees requested by Julfan merchants, highlighting the recurring nature of these problems.

## Conclusion

This decree sheds light on the economic policies under Nader Shah's regime and the tactics employed to extract money and impose additional taxes on merchants. Although Nader Shah's orders were intended to address these issues, they ultimately did not alleviate the merchants' plight. The relentless pressure on the administration to maximize revenue from all subjects undermined the effectiveness of these decrees, resulting in disorder and violence from Nader Shah's officials. This environment of exploitation and instability led to significant despair among merchants, prompting many to leave Iran.