Reza Shah in the Shadows of Contemporary History of Iran

Mahmood Fazeli
Translated by Atiyeh As'ad

The book entitled "Reza Shah in the Shadows of Contemporary History of Iran, From the beginning to the end of the Reign" is one of the latest books on Reza Shah. The author tries to review and examine historical character and position of Reza Shah based on the existing resources in the political scene of Iran. At some sections of this book entitled "Reza Shah's ancestry" referring to the reports composed by the dignitaries of Reza Khan reign, it is mentioned: "Reza Khan Pahlavi the Founder of Pahlavi dynasty, son of Abbas Gholi Khan Savad-k0ohi known as Dadash-beig, was born at Savad-kooh in 1878.After the age of 22 he entered into Cossack Brigade as a Cossack. While serving in Cossack Brigade, he earned a couple of degrees and was assigned into missions to some of the cities, until 1294 that he became the head of Hamedan Cossack Atriyad (отряд).
In this book pros and cons of "1919 Agreement" has been discussed. The proofs of "the relationship between Reza Khan and British" have been mentioned as the following:"One day Shapour J showed me a confidential book that it was discussed India's viceroy wanted to find a suitable person for managing Iran's affairs and with his order Shapour J's father, Ardeshir J found Reza and introduced him to India's viceroy. Shapour J's purpose was that Pahlavi dynasty was founded by his father.
The author also entitled one of the chapters "the relationship of Reza Khan with British" and referring to the book of "A Brief History of Political Parties" by Malekosho’ara Bahar on the relationship of Reza Khan with British said: "I have no doubt that Sepah Commander had relation with foreigners before Seyyed Zia coup…. According to telegrapher of Manjil camp every night this man after taking dinner goes to British camp and remains there until middles of the night.
After rise of Reza Khan, he tried to prove that not only British do not support him, but in fact with Reza Khan there was no need for English forces. This was the plan scheduled from the early days of Ironside's entrance to Iran and Reza Khan should have continued the scenario. Over time, some of the intellectuals began to justify force and support the dictatorship of Reza Khan. In the meantime, they didn't take seriously Moddares's screams nor did they pay attention to warnings of people such as Bahar and Mossadegh. Reza Khan's forces became those people that were effective in a variety of crises of Constitutional Movement period. In Reza Khan Period everyone who had slightest vote independence became victim of Reza Khan's conspiracy.
In the chapter of "Disturbing situation of the country caused the coup" coup's background and disturbing situation of the country has been discussed and said: Internal situation of the central government of Tehran was so disturbing and chaotic. At that condition Shah and Chairman of the Prime Minister were not able to take any steps to improve the situation. Ahmad Shah according to the doctors' recommendation needed to rest and none of the Chairmen of Prime Minister were not able to take any positive action. The state's treasury was empty and the employers and military staff were not paid for months and the cabinet and the Prime Ministers only procrastinated.
In the chapter of "how the arrangements of the coup was prepared" it is mentioned as follows: "According to Haj MirzaYahya Dolatabadi at the book of "Hayat-e Yahya (Yahya's life)" and some of the works of his contemporaries such as Malekosho'ara Bahar and other people who have authored or commented on this subject, all believe that 3rd of Esfand 1299 (1921) Coup didn't happened spontaneously and in one night in a way that British General, Ironside, could have planned it and Reza Khan could have executed it, rather the preparation of this coup was made at the early 1299 and after the fall of Vosoughodoleh cabinet and this plan was followed in parallel both in London and also in Tehran and Qazvin.
The author referring to Bahar's point of view about "What did Ahmad Shah" mentions as follows: "Malekosho'ara Bahar says I was informed that when Ahmad Shah visited his father (Mohammad Ali Mirza) at Istanbul, Turkey, his father had taught him by the help of Cossacks and by creating a dictatorship to continue his reign. According to his father Cossacks were Shah's lover and were considered to be in Shah's guard and could start a coup against constitutionalists. Following this decision "Ahmad Shah" suggested to the Chairman of the Prime Minister that in addition to the reign guard 500 Cossacks needed to be present in Tehran and order them to come from Qazvin to Tehran instantly.
In the chapter of "Iron Committee and its members" the author has noted as follows: "The Iron committee was founded by the British and Hick Colonel's wish in Isfahan. Later the committee opened a branch in Tehran and was managed by Seyyed Zia Tabatabaei. In addition to Tabatabaei, Nosratodoleh Firooz and some of their friends indirectly under the supervision of British were members of this committee. In general this group tried to take the reins of the state affairs so that to implement in some way the contents of Vosoughodoleh agreement.
The situation of Seyyed Zia has been reviewed in the chapter of "the efforts of the agents of Britain Embassy for retention of Seyyed Zia" as follows: "Ahmad Shah was informed that British didn't support Seyyed Zia anymore and were disappointed of his actions with the excuse of smoking in the presence of Shah at Ramadan month. Nazem called Khalvat and ordered him to take the cigarette out of his mouth". The evidence shows that the British tried their best until the last hour of Seyyed Zia dismissal to continue and maintain his reign. But when they found out that the maintenance of his reign was impossible and his dismissal was definite, they were about to ask from Ahmad Shah to guarantee his comfortable leave.
"The efforts of Seyyed Zia for attracting British agents" is another subject of the book. Referring to the relationships of Minister of Britain and Seyyed Zia, the author has mentioned as follows: "After two or three days after coup, Seyyed Zia asked Norman's opinion on the plan that he was going to implement and execute. After this visit, Norman wrote to Karzen through a report enthusiastically that: We should walk away from 1919 Agreement and instead let Seyyed Zia to implement all contents of contract without having a contract."
In the chapter of "Confused and wandering Seyyed Zia confronted internal problems and foreign policy" the character of political leader of coup was examined: "Some western commentators called Seyyed Zia an intellectual. His concern on municipality affairs was his ultimate vision. Seyyed Zia had heard about western beliefs but he couldn't get them." "Seyyed Zia's exile to abroad by Malekosho'ara Bahar was one of the topics that has been discussed separately in this 504 page book:"In the complete sense of the word the government and statesmanship of Seyyed Zia Tabatabaei was "hurried government" because it lasted for three months and a few days and Seyyed Zia was forced to leave the country and go to Europe for twenty years. The strange point is that he could return to his country after the exile of his fellow. They called Seyyed's cabinet black cabinet. Among the poets and authors of that time ‘Aref and ‘Eshghi remembered him in a good way."

Persian