Pearl Trade in the Persian Gulf during the 19th Century

This research provides an overview of pearl trade in the Persian Gulf during the 19th Century, depending on the historical sequence methodology at the region of collapse of Arabian traditional maritime trade systems, in light of capitalist economic transformations and their international variables. Here we address the unique nature of pearl hunting, until it had become a profession available to all people of the Persian Gulf in particular, thereby showing their skills in this profession and developing it as a substitute for their maritime trade, which sustained substantial losses due to dominance of the European trade fleets. Further, we review the pearl trade centers and their famous markets; e.g. Bahrain, Qatar, Dalma Island, and Lengeh, due to their strategic locations as fisheries abounding with precious pearls.