Saed News: In the year 1277 Hijri Shamsi (1898 AD), the court of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, aiming to prevent and combat rising prices in the market, took action by announcing the prices of essential everyday items and publishing advertisements that were posted in streets and marketplaces.
According to Saed News, citing Simorgh:With the increase in the prices of food and essential consumer goods in Iran during the reign of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, for the first time, special measures were taken by the government to address this trend.
The history of the Bread Riot during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah, which led to the execution of a powerful police chief of Tehran, served as a wake-up call to the Qajar court that it had to gradually move away from the traditional, closed system of governance and begin considering the welfare of the people. Mozaffar ad-Din Shah ruled Iran for about ten years. His reign is considered one of the most significant periods in Iranian history, as he came to power after fifty years of his father's absolute rule and eventually signed the Constitutional Decree.
Studies show that alongside the political changes engulfing Iranian society, economic issues were also becoming increasingly important to the people. In a time when there were no investment goods and people lived with the bare minimum in the simplest conditions, food items were the ones most impacted by inflation. The devaluation of currency on one hand and profiteering by powerful individuals, princes, and those close to the court on the other were the main reasons behind the increase in the prices of goods and necessities during this period.
In 1277 Hijri Shamsi (1898 AD), the court of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, aiming to prevent and combat market price increases, issued public price lists for essential consumer items and attempted to control inflation through official decree by posting these announcements throughout streets and marketplaces.
For the month of Rabi' al-Thani, 1316 AH (equivalent to 1277 HS):
“Since the management of bread and meat prices and the regulation of their reduction is among the most important matters, this must be addressed gradually with sound measures. The benevolent intention of His Majesty regarding the welfare of the people is well known. As soon as it is understood, the noble government will be fully committed to carrying out His Majesty’s goals without hesitation. For the time being, and for the comfort of the public, a ban is hereby declared that bread, meat, vegetables, and fruits—which had reached extreme prices and confusion—must be sold at the following regulated rates. God willing, a formal government decision on further price reduction for bread and meat will be made soon.”
Announced Prices:
Bread: 1 man (approx. 3 kg) = 27 pul
Meat: 10 sir (approx. 750 g) = 18 pul
Premium cheese: 1 sir = 4 pul | Medium = 3 pul
Premium fresh eggplants: 2 pieces = 1 pul | Medium: 4 pieces = 1 pul
Premium watermelon: 1 man of Tabriz = 8 pul | Medium = 6 pul
Premium pears: 10 sir = 8 pul | Medium = 6 pul
Premium nectarines: 10 sir = 3 pul | Medium = 2 pul
Premium cucumbers: 2 pieces = 1 pul | Medium: 4 pieces = 1 pul
Premium cantaloupe and melon: 1 man of Tabriz = 12 pul | Medium = 9 pul
Premium apples: 10 sir = 8 pul
Eggs: 1 egg = 1 pul
Yogurt: 10 sir = 8 pul
Potatoes: 10 sir = 6 pul
Warning to Merchants:
"All city merchants are hereby informed that since God Almighty has promised His Prophet (peace be upon him) that unless people show mercy to one another, He will not show mercy to them either, then when shopkeepers act unfairly, there shall be no forgiveness or leniency from His Majesty the King—God’s shadow on Earth—or from the ever-vigilant state authorities. It is better for merchants to buy goods fairly from the people and sell them at the stated prices, so they neither deceive the public nor exploit the residents. God’s mercy will then be upon them, and they will earn the favor of His Majesty the King—may the souls of all beings be sacrificed for him. But those who violate this order will face harsh punishment and reprimand.”
This announcement was signed by the noble government of the capital, Dar al-Khilafa Tehran.
According to the book Justified Economy, 1 qeran (a currency unit at the time) equaled 20 shahi, 5 abbasi, or 40 pul.
Coincidentally, in that era, the daily wages of unskilled laborers and carpet weavers—who made up a significant portion of Iran's population—were around 1 qeran to 1 qeran and 2 shahi per day, or 25 to 30 qerans per month. Thus, based on the declared prices, it becomes clear that providing for a family's food needs 120 years ago in Iran was not particularly difficult.
