The Workshop “Trade, Diplomacy and Capitulations in the Early Modern World” will be jointly organized by Group B01 “The Ideas of the Muslim Community and State Systems” (KONDO Nobuaki, 20H05827) and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A), “Toward a Global History of Inter-State Relations: A Comparative Study on Governmental Controls on Commercial Exchanges and Traffics in Eurasia, 1400-1900” (MATSUKATA Fuyuko, 21H04355).

Date & Time: March 3, 2023, 13:30–17:00 

Moderator: KONDO Nobuaki (ILCAA, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies)

 

Programme

13:30–13:45 Opening  

13:45–14:25

DAITO Norifumi (Historiographical Institute, the University of Tokyo)

“Trade, Consumption and Diplomacy in the Indian Ocean”

Abstract:
This presentation discusses sugar trade and consumption in Safavid Iran (1501–1722). Iran became a major sugar-importing region in the Indian Ocean in the seventeenth century. While the historiography of Safavid Iran still emphasises imperial and moral decline during that period, the lingering question is why, despite its relatively sparse population and other unfavourable economic conditions, Iran developed as an enticing destination for sugar suppliers from various regions along the Indian Ocean and the China Seas. A detailed exploitation of the archives of the Dutch East India Company, presumably the single largest sugar supplier, not only unfolds the importance of the Indian Ocean sugar trade to the global mercantile economy in the early modern period, but offers an opportunity to examine how sugar consumption was imbricated in the social, fiscal and diplomatic practices of the Safavid period, including medicine, festivities, gift giving, overseas trade, and the consequent outflow of specie.

 

14:30–15:10

Michael TALBOT (University of Greenwich)

“Diplomacy in Practice: Dispute Resolution in Eighteenth-Century Ottoman-British Relations”

Abstract:
The Ottoman Empire’s relationship with foreign powers was regulated through the granting of commercial rights and duties through the imperial capitulations (ahdname-i hümayun). These documents were added to over time, and shaped by a wider body of written and oral representation by diplomats on behalf of their state and those living under their protection. This paper will use the example of commercial disputes involving British subjects in the Ottoman Empire in the eighteenth century to outline the ways in which the imperial capitulations were employed beyond diplomatic theory through elucidating the complementary practices that enabled dispute resolution. It will also consider the important question of language, and how both the treaty and its practices were based on an understanding of ‘custom’ and ‘tradition’ that was also fluid and pragmatic.

 

15:15–15:55

MATSUI Masako (Aichi Gakuin University)

“Dutch Encounters with the Ottoman Empire: Did Ottoman Capitulations influence Dutch Eastern Diplomacy?”

Abstract:
It is often said that Ottoman capitulations were models for unequal commercial treaties of the nineteenth century between European and Eastern countries. Although resemblances have been discussed, the linkage has yet to be elucidated. Furthermore, the history of Ottoman capitulations is frequently misunderstood because of the habitual tendency to overlook or underestimate the Eastern influences on Western development. This paper attempts to introduce Dutch-Ottoman relations from the sixteenth century, particularly to non-Ottoman specialists, and set up the base for future comparative studies. In this paper, I propose to indicate the similarities between Ottoman capitulations and nineteenth-century unequal treaties and further suggest direct or indirect links among these historical agreements. 

 

16:10–17:00 Discussions

 

Language: English
Venue: Room 303, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (registered participants may also access the workshop online by Zoom), Open to public/Admission free, Pre-registration is required.

Pre-registration: please use this form for in-person participation. 
                                     please use this form for online participation. 

Organizer: Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (A), “The Ideas of the Muslim Community and State Systems” (Principal Investigator: KONDO Nobuaki (ILCAA); 20H05827)/Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A), “Toward a Global History of Inter-State Relations: A Comparative Study on Governmental Controls on Commercial Exchanges and Traffics in Eurasia, 1400-1900” (Principal Investigator: MATSUKATA Fuyuko (Historiographical Institute, the University of Tokyo); 21H04355)

Contact: MORITA Madoka (mmorita[at]aa.tufs.ac.jp)