Shahbandar

S̲h̲āhbandar, was an official of the ports in Safavid Persia and one also known on other shores of the Indian Ocean. The Shahbandar was in charge of the traders and the collection of taxes.The office of shahbandar first appeared in Persia, and from there spread throughout the Indian Ocean basin.Later on, having become obsolete for the port towns of Persia, the term shahbandm was now used for the official who represented the interests of the Turkish merchants operating within Persia.