British Forces Capture Bushehr
After several days of heroic resistance, British forces seized the Bushehr seaport which was strategically important. The city and it's surroundings had been bombed for 23 days. The war had broken out after Iranians occupied the city of Herat, a key city to Afghanistan and reclaimed it on Oct, 25, 1956. The city was a part of Iran as far as the history goes. Even Afghanistan is a name given by the British colonists to Ariana. Herat was the birthplace of Shah Abbas of Safavi dynasty. Iranians had made similar attempts to regain Herat in 1838 and 1852 also. But Naseroddin Shah was too busy in the royal harem and did not take necessary measures to modernize the country, specially the army. Therefore, with French mediation Iran signed a peace treaty in Paris waiving Iran's rights to Herat. (Updated: Dec, 9, 2008)
Iran Surrenders Afghanistan To Britain
Following the British occupation of Bushehr, Iran was forced to sign a treaty not less disturbing than the Turkmenchai agreement. Iran thus surrendered to Britain all claims to Herat and territories in present-day Afghanistan. Mediated by Napoleon III, the treaty signed in Paris was later exchanged in Baghdad.
Britain also came to dominate Iran's trade and interfered in Iran's internal affairs alongside Russia. Enjoying military and technological superiority, they took advantage of Qajar weaknesses. In article 7 of this treaty that consisted of 15 articles, Iran was given the right to send troops to Afghanistan in case of a threat. This mainly was foreseen to give Britain enough time to deploy troops from India in case of an attack from Russia. With this treaty, Iran also accepted to pardon mutiny for those who cooperated with British during the occupation. (Updated: Dec, 9, 2008)
English-Persian Glossary
- Turkmenchai : ترکمن چاي(Torkmanchay,Turkmenchay)
- Afghanistan : افغانستان
- Shah Abbas : شاه عباس
- Napoleon : ناپلئون
- Baghdad : بغداد
- British : انگليسي
- Bushehr : بوشهر(Boushehr, Booshehr)
- Britain : بريتانيا انگليس
- Russia : روسيه
- Safavi : صفوي
- Ariana : آريانا
- French : فرانسوي
- Paris : پاريس
- Qajar : قاجار(Ghajar)
- India : هند هندوستان
- Herat : هرات
- Abbas : عباس
- Shah : شاه پادشاه
- Iran : ايران
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