The early decades of Mongol rule in Persia and neighboring lands brought great changes to the local people-most of them bad. The region was mostly sedentary, though some nomadic Turks had already ruled there before the Mongols. Warfare and the Mongol policy of trying to convert farmlands to pastures destroyed the agricultural economy. As in China, the local population greatly decreased during the early years of Mongol rule. Many people were forced into slavery, and one historical account says that after the conquests, the survivors in the region of Balkh in northern Afghanistan could only find dogs, cats, and human flesh for food.
One Rosy Picture
One Persian industry that prospered during Mongol times was growing flowers for their oils. These oils were used to create a variety of medicines and perfumes. The oil of roses was used to make rose water, which helps moisten dry skin. Today parts of southern Iran are still known for their rose water.
Before the invasions, the people of Persia had a healthy economy. Farmers produced corn, rice and other grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as cotton and silk. Under the Mongols, until the rule of Ghazan at the end of the 13th century, farmers struggled to make their fields productive again. His tax relief and other programs helped the farmers, although agricultural output did not rebound to the levels it had reached before the Mongols arrived. Peasant farmers did not have the freedom to live and work where they chose. The government forced them to stay on the land where their families had always lived. And, as in China, peasants might be forced to do construction work at no pay, which further impeded their efforts to farm the land.
By the mid 14th century the local people were once again growing a variety of crops. Melons were grown everywhere, with many sent abroad. Fruits in general were a major part of agriculture, while vegetables were mostly grown near larger cities. The fruits included figs, lemons, peaches, pears, and oranges.
City life in Persia felt the same harsh effects of the Mongol conquest. The early Mongol policy of heavily taxing trade slowed the rebuilding of some cities. Others, however, managed to do well, especially after Ghazan cut some of the taxes on trade. A typical city dweller might do craft work, such as making clothes, ceramics, or carpets; artisans in the same craft often lived and worked together in a particular section of a city. Other city residents helped transport or store goods that were traded with foreign cities. Local residents also earned money working for the Mongols, who had several different camps throughout the khanate.
The most powerful local people in Persia were the landlords and officials. They usually owned land outside the cities, but they began to take a more active interest in trade during Mongol rule. The landowners and the wealthy merchants formed the upper class, with artisans and peasants at the bottom.
The influence of Islam on Persian society endured under Mongol rule. Schools called madrasas taught both religion and Islamic law, usually just to boys. (Madrasas for both boys and girls exist today in Muslim countries.) Still, under the khans, non-Muslims found they had greater social and political influence than in the past.
World History
