The Role of Local and Regional Conflicts of the Influential Dynasties in lack of Development of Shushtar in Afshareyeh and Zandiyeh Periods

Shushtar has experienced many conflicts and unrests during the Afhsarid and Zandiyq eras. Part of such conflicts was domestic, regional and trans-regional conflicts, and some of them happened within the city. Vakhushti Khan, Gorgin Beyg, and Circassia Eldorom Beyg dynasties were frequently in conflict with one another over Shushtar rule from 1714 to 1748. During this period, some cities such as Shushtar, Dezful and Hoveyzeh came to battle with each other many times. Arabs of al-Kathir and al-Mushashaiyyah families gained the control of the political power of Shushtar at times. Disputes among Sheikhs of al-Kathir, Al- Mushashaiyyah and Al- Kaabi resulted in many violent battles within Shushtar districts (quarters) including Haidar Khane (Gargar) and Ne'mat Khane (Moqehi) which were headed by Marashi and Kalantar families, respectively. Confusion and chaos resulted from the conflicts among headmen (Khans) of Bakhtiari, Feyli Lurs and Kohgiluyeh had considerable influence over Shushtar. Trans-regional rebellions of Safi Mirza Dorouqin and Muhammad Khan Baluch severely affected the political conditions of Shushtar. At that time, Nader Shah showed up again in Shushtar and took action that had long-term consequences on this city. The massacre of the people of Shushtar in the seditious adventure of Muhammad Khan Baloch and the compulsory immigration of 500 families from Shushtar to Khorasan are some of the actions conducted during the ruling of Nader Shah. During Afshareyeh and Zandiyeh eras, the political control of Shushatar was ruled by many dynasties including Vakhushti Khan, Georgian Gorgin Beyg, Circassia Eldorom Beyg, al- Kathir and Al- Mushashaiyyah, Kalantar Sadats, Bakhtiari and Feyli Lurs, Qarachorlu and Keyvanlu Kurds, Urumi and Abiwerdi Afshars, and also some other rulers who occasionally had been moving around from Dezful to Shushtar. The current study asks why the rulers of Shushtar in the Afsharid and Zandiye periods were not eager to improve the social, political and economic conditions of Shushtar. The authors hypothesize that the political experience and the management ability of the dynasties who rules the city were not significant and they were not acutely aware of social class formation. Additionally, since rulers were not native, their enthusiasm or concern over Shushtar was not enough to conduct considerable actions for development of this city.