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 Since the dawn of human history and the creation of trade through
material exchanges and later, through monetary transactions, economic forces
have had a strong and decisive role in shaping the progress of a nation.
Adam Smith describes the concept nicely and eloquently in his
masterpiece, “The Wealth Of Nations”. This is even more true during the
current period of transition in which trade is becoming globalized, regardless of geographic or national boundaries.
This global movement is basically good, if it provides and
promotes a mutual respect between the transacting parties and their national
interests. This mutual respect for all must span a wide spectrum to include
all the 198 countries of this planet, from The United Sates, currently the
most advanced country on earth, to the most undeveloped nations of the third
world.
It is a well-attested commonplace that a nation is as
independent as its economy. While we cannot progress in a vacuum and need
each other for accelerated progress towards international prosperity, we
must recognize the fact that multidimensional global relationships must be
established based on a factor of trust, which itself is built upon
respecting and preserving each other’s interests. Anything less than this
mutual respect is doomed to fail in the long run.
The basic
ideas cited in the above introduction were the vision of a great Iranian of
our time, Jamshid Bahman Jamshidian. He, Along with others, pioneered the
idea of creating a National Bank with national and international reach. The
National Bank or “Bank-e-Melli” was his brain child. Jamshid Bahman
Jamshidian was known to the people of Iran as “Arbab Jamshidi.” He was a
charismatic and influential leader of recent Zoroastrian history, the first
representative of the Zoroastrian Community in the Parliament of Iran, and
the pioneer of modern banking in Iran. He knew well that sovereignty comes
through self governance, that self governance comes through freedom and
democracy, and that freedom and democracy depend upon self sufficiency,
which itself is built upon a sound national economy. This ideally will be an
economy free of any dependencies on unfair international constraints and
unjust foreign influences. (1)
Arbab Jamshid was a very powerful man. It has been said that
he was probably the most powerful non-Moslem in Iran in the last few
centuries. The securing of seats for non-Muslim representatives in the
Iranian parliament is due to Arbab Jamshid’s power and influence.
Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians in Iran owe a great debt to him for this
political representation, which continues to this day.
Through his vigor, proper planning and influence, Arbab
Jamshid made the impossible possible. Arbab Jamshid was probably able to
influence the Persian government more than the Parsis of Bombay, as no
government could exercise power in Yazd or Kerman with out his support. (2)
Arbab Jamshid built his power and influence leveraging on his
vast business and trade empire. He based his empire from the bottom to the
top upon honesty, hard work and care for people of all kinds. His
contributions to the welfare of the masses of the nation he loved are
legendary and unparalleled. (3)
Professor Jackson, in his book Past and Present Iran,
writes in the chapter titled “Teheran, the Modern Capitol:”
“… The Zoroastrians of Teheran, taken as a whole, are in
better circumstances then those in many other cities of Persia, because of
the more liberal conditions that prevail in general at the capital. The most
prominent member of the community is a rich banker, Arbab Jamshid Bahman,
whose wealth is estimated in the hundreds of thousands of Tomans, and whom
recognition at court is also accorded- a fact which helps the position of
the Zoroastrians considerably, since an appeal to the Shah is possible
through his mediation.
His integrity is of the highest order and his esteem was even
higher in the eyes of the Mohammedans, who naturally despised him as an’
infidel’. The Persians placed implicit faith in his honesty- a tribute paid
to no other native banker as yet, so far as my knowledge goes. This is a
tribute not alone to his uprightness (Arshtat in Avesta), but also to the
teachings of Zoroaster, who made Truth and Honesty a watch word of the
religion and whose creed was “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds”.
“Arbab Jamshid called upon me shortly after my arrival and
invited me to visit his home and his beautiful garden- a privilege of which
I availed myself twice. The garden court adjoining his house in the city is
laid out in a characteristic Persian manner…”
I need to explain that the Avestan word “Arshtat” that
Professor Jackson has used, is translated into Righteousness, one of the
most fundamental elements of the vision of Zartosht, the Persian Prophet. As
Iranians, we owe our national pride and dignity to this great religious and
historical figure.
The Jame Jamshid, printed in
Bombay,
March 17, 1904 wrote: “Arbab Jamshid is deeply involved in
charity. He has commissioned several water reservoirs for the needy, and
spends 2300 rupees a year to supply and maintain them. He has also purchased
a fine property in Kashan consisting of a garden and building which he has
converted into a facility for travelers and pilgrims. He possesses very
fine personal characteristics… and his imperial majesty the shah holds him
in high favor.
Jamshid Bahman Jamshidian was born in
Yazd, Iran
in 1851 C.E. At the age of 11, due to his intelligence and exceptionally
sharp memory, he was sent to Borujerd along with one of his father’s
friends, to work in the local trade center owned by Arbab Rostam Mehr. He
stayed there until the age of 20. By that time, the young Jamshid had opened
his own small trade centers in Borujerd and Bandar Abbas and he was focusing
on the clothing business. He expanded his operations to the north and
specifically towards the capital, Tehran. One of his early intentions,
deeply rooted in the care that he had for his society and his fellow
Zoroastrians, was to employ, as much as possible, bright young Zoroastrians
in his business, to reduce the centuries old dependency of their society on
traditional farming.
Arbab Jamshid encouraged and facilitated Zoroastrian
migration to the capital of Tehran. At the height of his operation, he had
150 Zoroastrian employees in his Tehran financial firm. (1)
“One of the first Zoroastrian neighborhoods was formed in the
area surrounding the residence of Arbab Jamshid. The nucleus of this
community was formed by his employees and their families, joined later by
other Zoroastrians. The building of the Anjoman and the schools were all
located on land either owned by him or adjacent to his property.” (6)
By the age of 35, Arbab Jamshid had several trade chambers in
the central market known as the Bazaar of Tehran. This was a place where,
traditionally non-Moslems had difficult times establishing businesses. This
was at a time when bigotry and prejudice against non-Muslims, was at its
height. It was deeply roted in centuries of discrimination and unjust
behavior. Yet Arbab Jamshid could succeed against all odds, due to his
highly intelligent strategy of establishing relationships with the key
political figures of his time. These included 2 kings of Iran,
Mozaffar-eldin Shah and Mohammed Ali Shah Qajar, two prime ministers of
Iran; Ali Askhar Kane, Atabak e Aazam, also known as Aminol Soltan,
Nasrollah Khan-e-Moshir ol-doleh and Soltan Abdolmajeed Mirza, also known as
Einol-Doleh, and many other influential national and international figures.
These relationships were built upon mutual respect and were almost always
accompanied by generous gifts and proper presents that Arbab Jamshid would
give to his friends. (1)
While keeping these powerful relationships, he never forgot
about the needy and the poor. Anyone from any religious belief and/or
background would be welcomed on a weekly basis to his house or his business
centers. We know that on an average, about 400 to 500 of the poor attended
his weekly lunch, where they would receive half or one rail from the
generous hands of the Arbab himself. (3). Indeed Arbab Jamshid was known
as the Hatame-taie of Iran. (2)
By the age of 40 his reputation had reached the far corners
of Iran. The legendary tales of his generosity had made his caravans safe
and untouched by the brigands who roamed the countryside and preyed on
caravans by night.
The weekly magazine “Our Thoughts” or “Andishe Ma” in Farsi,
in the 3rd edition of Esfand 1314 Yazdgerdi, wrote:
“… If in his entire life, there remained nothing else but (Arbab
Jamshid’s) generosity, the youth of
Iran
would still have the duty to respect and remember this great man of our time
with due dignity and honor. This is due to the fact that Jamshidian’s
generosity was so vast and so open to both friends and foes alike that
legends were told about him. These legends reached all across this great
land of ours. Even his close friends knew about these legends and attested
to their truth. Arbab Jamshid’s name will remain with high honor and respect
in the galaxy of our great stars.”
One of Arbab Jamshid’s closest friends was Atabak Aazam
Aminol Soltan. This man was two times prime minister of the late Qajar, a
capable politician who had not only arranged the cover up of the Naseroldin
Shah assassination in order to avoid chaos, but had achieved a peaceful
transition of power to Nasseroldin’s son Mozaffaredin Shah.
Arbab Jamshid had a close relationship with the Court of the
Qajar rulers, especially Mozaffaredin Shah, who had awarded him with the
honored title of “Rais-ol-Tojare Parsi.” Jamshidian’s financial firm was
trusted to pay the shah’s personal drafts. (7) In addition, the Qajar
government issued bonds, payments for military purchase orders and the
salaries of some of the top government officials, and these were paid from
the special accounts of Arbab Jamshid. (3)
The vast business empire of Arbab Jamshid, at the height of
its power, employed close to 4600 employees of which about 150 were
Zoroastrians. The Zoroastrians were mostly in charge of accounting
operations and monetary affairs. The Zoroastrians were in these positions
due to their honesty and proven track records of faithful and ethical
behavior. Arbab Jamshid, as has been said above, wished to reduce the
Zoroastrians’ dependency on traditional farming by moving them towards more
profitable employment.(1)
The employer-employee relationship of Arbab Jamshid’s firm
was significantly different from which had existed in Yazd and Kerman.
Arbab Jamshid’s merchant house provided housing loans and medical services.
He held a weekly open house dinner for his employees. He did not limit his
interest to immediate services for his employees but supported the
Zoroastrian community in general. (5)
Noshirananjee Manekjee Cooper, editor of the London Indian
Chronicle, dedicated one of his books, The Imitation of Zoroaster, to
Arbab Jamshid for his contribution and devotion to the Zoroastrian
Community. (3)
Along with the expansion of his business, Arbab Jamshid
started to acquire real estate in Tehran and other major cities of Iran.
Over the years he accumulated thousands of acres of land, including a vast
piece of land in northern Tehran known as Jamshid Abad and Amir Abad and an
estate in the center of
Tehran
known as Parke Atabak. “After the assassination of Atabake Aazam, Arbab
Jamshid bought his palace known as Park-e- Atabak and converted it into his
primary residence. He also bought the surrounding lands and commissioned
additional buildings, to be added to his estate” (1).
Morgan Schuster describes the estate: “…The building was white
stone, two stories high, containing about thirty rooms, a number of which
very spacious, and it was filled with the most remarkable collection of
curious bric-a-brac and strange furniture from all over the world, including
very fine and rare Persian rugs. The ground was laid out in an immense park
with several artificial lakes and water courses…” (9)
Hirbod Borzoojee Grajjee in his book, The Parsi Culture:
Religion and Customs page 31 says: “Arbab Jamshid owns 15 or 16
villages, vast pieces of land and real estate. He is a distinguished banker
and merchant. The Shah, Princes and government officials are known to borrow
money from him from time to time… None of the Muslim or European business
establishments in Iran are larger than his.”
The growing network of financial centers that Arbab Jamshid
had built over the years, based on honesty, integrity and innovation,
threatened the two largest banks of Iran that time. One was the Bank-e-Shahanshahi,
established and run by the British, which also had the concession of
publishing Iran’s monetary notes. The other was the Bank-e-Esteghrazi, which
was established and run by Russia. The two most damaging and threatening
issues, to these foreign banks, were the enormous amount of savings being
channeled into Arbab Jamshid’s financial centers and wide spread money
exchange networks in various cities of Iran and abroad. By this time,
Jamshidian’s financial network had branches in St. Petersburg, Paris,
Bombay, Calcutta, and Baghdad. (7).
“He was one of the first Iranian merchants who used double
entry bookkeeping and the first modern banker of Iran.” (2) The expansion of
his financial network reached such a point that the Russian bank in Iran had
to close some of its branches to avoid further losses. (3)
By now, Arbab Jamshid had started a cargo transportation
network called Gari Khaneh. It was operated and managed with the utmost
efficiency and order. He had control of cargo transportation between Tehran,
Kashan, Qhom, and Esfahan as well as the horse-drawn transportation of
Southern Iran. (7).
There seemed to be no barriers to his expansion. Through a
strategy, planned by the Arbab himself, in partnership with the Parsees of
India, the financial network of Arbab Jamshid was on the verge of becoming
the major financial center of Iran, under the general name of Bank-e-Melli.
(8).
This was an idea which was also encouraged by the American
banker Morgan Schuster, who was the treasurer general of Iran from 1911 to
1912, employed by the newly formed constitutional government. (1)
Morgan Schuster says: “…we were driven to Atabak Park, a very
beautiful residence… This palace and ground had passed into the hands of a
very patriotic and wealthy Parsi named Arbab Jamshid. He had generously
placed his residence at the disposal of the government for our entertainment
while in Iran.” (9)
Arbab
Jamshid’s financial network was an ever expanding, independent national
force that could stand up against the two foreign banks. Although Jamshid’s
competitors often came into conflict with each other, this time, the British
and Russian banks collaborated to weave a plot to destroy Arbab Jamshid. (8)
Arbab Jamshid’s financial empire and diversified business
practices needed a large amount of cash to support and operate. The two
foreign banks started to provide loans to Arbab Jamshid and even appeared to
compete against each other to provide better terms and lower interest. In
return, they insisted on vast land and real estate holdings as collateral.
By this time, the British Bank of Shahanshahi had lent about 2 million
tomans and the Russian Bank of Esteghrazi about 13 million to Arbab Jamshid,
a total of 15 million tomans. (3)
The increased economic and business activities of Arbab
Jamshid coincided with Iran’s constitutional revolution of 1906, which he
supported enthusiastically. He financially supported the revolutionary
leaders Satar Khan and Yeprem Khan.
“The Jamshidian and Jahanian commercial firms would receive
the imported ammunition at the port of Bushehr and distribute it among the
Mojahedin (revolutionary forces) in Tehran and other cities. (7). Arbab
Jamshid was also influential in preventing Colonel Liakhof, a Russian
mercenary, employed by the Mohammad Ali Shah government, from doing further
destruction after he attacked the newly formed parliament (Majlis) with
artillery. (1)
The Iranian nation should also recognize the contribution and
sacrifice of other patriotic Zoroastrians who lost their lives in the
national struggle for independence and constitutional reform. Arbab Parviz
Jahanian and Arbab Fereidoon Fereidoonian, who were both assassinated by the
thugs of anti democratic forces, should be particularly recognized.
As an example, I would like to cite an excerpt about Khosro
Shah-Jahan, one of the successful Zoroastrians of early 20th
century, in the periodical “Shour-e-Esraphil.” On Page two of the 31st
edition of the periodical in year 1315 Yazdgerdi we read:
“…Recently, about 400 of the long range rifles of type
Verendel have been sold to this Parsi man and about 200 of the mid range, 5
bullet capacity Macend and about 150,00 bullets have been sold to another
person…” Arbab Jamshid, himself on one occasion paid 20,000 Tomans of his
own money and on another occasion facilitated the collection of the same
amount from other Zoroastrians of Iran to be given to the forces of freedom
and democracy.
Eventually, in return for the support and sacrifices that
Arbab Jamshid made on behalf of the successful revolutionary forces, one
Parliamentary seat apiece was offered to all 3 of the non-Muslim religions
of Iran. This offer was soon blocked by the hard line Mullahs. Here I would
like to introduce an excerpt written by Dr. Farhang Mehr in the FEZANA
journal, winter 2000 issue which eloquently describes the situation.
“…Perhaps Arbab Jamshid’s most lasting service was to secure
a seat in the Majlis (Parliament) for the Zarathushti community, and
consequently, for other religious minorities- Zarathushtis, Armenians, and
Jews.
However, during the elections the hard line mullahs argued
that the religious minorities could not elect one of their own, but could
only appoint a Muslim cleric to represent them. The Armenians and Jews
agreed and appointed Ayatollah Tabatabaie. But Arbab Jamshid asked for a day
of grace, saying that he had no authority to decide on the matter and had to
consult his colleagues in the Tehran Zarathushti Anjuman. Outside the Majlis,
Arbab Jamshid used his influence and contacts to change the political
atmosphere.
The next day, Ayatollah Behbahani made the following
statement in the Majlis:
“Zarathushtis
have an inherent right to the air, land, and water of Iran; they are prudent
and patriotic. Their coreligionists (the Parsis) abroad are highly educated
and have a seat in the British Parliament. The Zarathushtis of Iran should
be allowed to have a representative of their own in Majlis.”
With the approval of the Majlis, a seat for the Zarathushti
community as well as for the Jews and Christians were assured. This is a
position that all the religions owe to the late Arbab Jamshid’s effort and
foresight.
Arbab Jamshid possessed a kind heart and generous outreach
for all Iranians regardless of their background or belief. At the same time,
he was a man of power and influence who carried a large amount of clout.
The combination of the two made him a sort of shelter for those who needed
protection. One group which was in desperate need for help and protection
during that era was the Bahais of Iran. During the time that Bahais were
persecuted and murdered several of their leaders escaped and took refuge and
asylum in Arbab Jamshid’s estates in Tehran and Shiraz. Due to his religious
belief and his devotion to the Zoroastrian doctrine of “Good Deeds,” Arbab
Jamshid sheltered them and saved their lives. The Bahai community
acknowledged this fact with the utmost respect and gratitude.
 At
the turbulent era of the end of The Qajar dynasty, the cities were not calm.
People were worried and insecure about their future. The time was just right
for the British and Russian plan of destruction to unfold. The propaganda
machine of the two banks started a rumor that Arbab Jamshid’s financial
network was out of cash and had no capital to leverage upon. When the rumor
spread and the news reached the masses, a financial panic started in the
major cities and within a few days people and businesses withdrew their
cash. A couple of days later, the Russian Bank e Esteghrazi called in their
promissory notes and demanded payment of loans prior to their maturity. The
British Bank (Shahanshahi) did the same immediately afterward. Within a few
days, the government ordered the seizure of Arbab Jamshid’s financial firm
by the urban police force, who dismissed the employees and sealed off its
entrance.
The Russian embassy deployed Cossacks (Russian gendarmes) at
Arbab Jamshid’s estate and blocked all communications. (3). One of Arbab
Jamshid’s trusted servants, who was carrying Arbab’s private message to his
chief financial officer, was arrested and badly beaten by the Cossacks. The
account records of many clients, including the loan documents of those who
borrowed from his firm, were mysteriously lost. Therefore, it was not
possible to enforce the pay back of these lost loans. (1). Furthermore,
the Czarist Russian bank in St. Petersburg did not honor its contract for
the amount of 500,000 rubles that had been a guaranteed credit to Arbab
Jamshid, endorsed by the central Russian bank. It was denied against all
contractual agreements.
Arbab Jamshid’s business empire collapsed and his financial
firm, real estate, personal properties, and household goods were
confiscated. Equally unjust was the liquidation of collateral by the two
banks. Jamshid Abad and Amir Abad were transformed into farmland, while the
gardens and a summer house of Arbab Jamshid’s, which had been appraised at
600,000 Tomans, were sold for 5,000 Tomans, a rate amounting to less than a
penny for the dollar. Arbab Jamshid’s residence, Park-e-Atabak, became the
Russian embassy and its western section was later sold to the British
embassy. (1)
The less valuable southern section of the estate still owned
by Arbab Jamshid was transformed into a residential area and subdivided into
several houses and a street known as Arbab Jamshid Avenue. One of those
houses, along with its surrounding garden became Arbab Jamshid’s residence
for the rest of his life. It was later inherited by his eldest son Arbab
Rostam who rebuilt the house. This house is now the primary residence of
Ayatollah Hakim’s family. Arbab Jamshid died a few years later at the age of
82, in the year of 1301 Yazdgerdi.
This great man of our recent history built his business
empire on honesty, integrity, intelligence and innovation. He was a devoted
Zoroastrian who desired prosperity and progress for the people of his
motherland.
May the example of the productive life lived by this great
individual inspire us and may his soul rest peacefully in the Abode of Songs
along with the soul of his teacher and mentor, Zarathushtra the Manthran.
^The Toman and Rial are the units of currency
used in Iran. One Toman is 10 Rials. At that time 1 Toman would have been
the equivalent of US$1. Before the 1979 Iranian revolution, for a long time
the rate of exchange was US$1 = 7 Tomans. At the turn of the 20th
century that rate has dropped to as low as US$1 = 1000 Tomans and at the
time of this writing it is about US$1 = 780 Tomans.
*The author considers it a personal honor and
privilege to be related, through his wife, to the late Arbab Fereidoon.
Contribution of information from Dr. Jamshid
Jamshidian and Dr. Farhang Mehr for this article is acknowledged.
References
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Personal
recollections of Dr. Jamshid Jamshidian, Arbab Jamshid’s grandson, based
on information related to him by his father, Arbab Jamshid’s son and by
his grandmother Gowhar Jamshdian, Arbab Jamshid’s wife and others.
-
FEZANA Journal,
Dr. Farhang Mehr,: Winter 2000, pp. 36-37
-
Farzanegane
Zaratoshti (Farsi); Rashid Shahmardan, pp. 432-465
-
Past and
Present of Iran,
Professor AW Jackson, pp.426-427
-
The
Zoroastrians of Iran,
Janet Kestenberg Amighi, pp.151-152
-
The
Zoroastrians of Iran,
Janet Kestenberg Amighi, p. 154
-
Mashruteh
Dar Yazd
(Farsi), Ali Akbar Tashakori Bafghai, pp. 157–158, 182, 187
-
30 years
History of Bank e Melli: Iran, p.106
-
The
Strangling of Persia,
W. Morgan Schuster, pp. 11-12
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