Haj Mohammad Hassan Aminozzarb

Akbar Mashouf

The most prominent merchant in 19th century Iran, and the first industrial investor, Haj Mohammad Hassan Esfahani, known as Company and entitled Amin Dar-oz-zarb, abbreviated Amin-oz-zarb was born about 1835 in Esfahan. His father, Agha Mohammad Hossein and his mother, Bibi Khan Mah Khanum were originally from Khoi. He learned to read and write in Persian, and to produce calligraphy of Qoran in MaktabKhaneh (old-style school). Following his father's death, he came to Tehran and engaged himself in commerce. Mohammad Hossein's fate underwent a great change when he began to work with Panayotti, an agent of a Greek firm in Tehran. Documents show that he learned the techniques of domestic and foreign commerce through this cooperation. He was honest and tactful in dealing with people, so many people put their trust in him and he made progress rapidly. In addition to his commercial venture, through Ali Asghar Khan Amin-os-sultan's help, Haj Mohammad Hossein managed to enter the government services. The mint and its monopoly were given to him, and hence entitled Amin-oz-zarb. Much has been said about his performance in the Mint, which cannot be referred to in this summary. Among his services, we may refer to his many works including 1- the construction railroad between Mohamoudabad and Amol 1885-6, 2- electricity plant, 3- glassware factory 1888-9, 4- chinaware factory in Tehran, 5- silk spinning factory, 6- HassanAbad Carvanseray on the road between Tehran and Qom, 7- and Afjah road to Tehran. He prepared the proposal to establish a bank in 1879, and one of his important doings was the proposal to build the first iron foundry in Iran in 1887-8. He gained the concession from the Shah, but did not succeed to carry it out.

In addition to the financial and commercial fields, Amin-oz-zarb was active in the public services too. When the dignitories of Mozzaffari period founded the Anjoman-e-Maāref (society of learning) for the purpose of improving schools and modern knowledge, he joined it as a member. One of his services which brought him a good name was his purchase of a great deal of grain in famine year of 1871 from Mazandaran and its transit to Tehran. This deed rescued many people from certain death. In order to add to their own incomes, the statesmen of Nasseri period used to grant concessions to the rival powers in Iran which was destructive to the interests of the country. Due to the public objection and the fatwa (the religious edict) of Mirzaye Shirazi, two concessions gained by the British, i.e. mine concession of Reuter and the monopoly of tobacco of major Talbot were abolished. Though in the final stage it was the fatwa of Ulama which led to the abolishment, the role of merchants including Amin-oz-zarb should not be neglected.

He had close relations with the Shah and Amin-os-sultan, so he acted as an intermediary between the court and the merchants. During his two journeys to Iran, Seyyed Jamal-ad-din Assad Abadi stayed at Amin-oz-zarb's place and made him an admirer of himself. Amin-oz-zarb did not fail to help Seyyed Jamal financially when he was exiled to Russia. His friendship with Seyyed Jamal, and his support of him were mainly due to his belief that Assadabadi was a true religious leader, who believes in the progress of Islam. They shared the same view on the necessity of making reforms in Islamic societies. His publication of BaharolAnvar in 22 volumes and its free distribution show his deep enthusiasm to the increase of public knowledge. He was interested in the construction of public and benevolent places and chambers for Tollab (religious students) in religious cities. Eventually he died in December 22nd 1898, his corpse was carried to Najaf and buried near to the minaret of Imam Ali's tomb.
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