[4] During the period of exponentially growing trade with the western world, the Omani Sultanate contracted various authorities and firms to collect custom duties at various places.
He subsequently consolidated the custom collection for the Omani Sultanate and controlled commerce on the one thousand mile long coastline.
[6] Shivji had employed 150 guards to defend Zanzibar and the custom office was located at Furzani quarters near salt bazaar.
His officials included Laddha Damji at Zanzibar, Laxmidas at Mombasa, Trikamdas at Pagini, Ramji Pragji at Bagamoyo, his nephew Pisu at Pemba Island and Kisandas at Kilwa.
The Sultan had turned down higher bids for custom contract in 1841 in favour of Jairam Shivji who continued to increase revenue for him.
[8] Sultan Sayyid Said had forbidden the killing of cows in the vicinity of his house during the Eid al-Fitr, to respect Shivji's religious beliefs.