Soviets Play Game Of Geography
Three years after Russia became the Soviet Union, it was announced that Marv, Bukhara and other northeastern regions of the greater Khorasan that were indeed the cradle of Persian culture, history, and literature were kept Tajiks in the Badakhshan region to be separated from mainland. The idea was to prevent the desire of people with the same culture to reunite. The USSR later announced creation of the Azerbaijan Republic in the Aran region of southern Caucasia. 65 years later, these regions declared independence thus rendering the Soviet calculations obsolete. On the other hand, as Georgia, Ukraine and Kirgizstan approach west, Russia is turning into a critical region of conflicts.
The Turkmenchai and Gulistan treaties enforced on the Iranian nation during Qajar dynasty separated Transcaucasia from Iran, although they do not have a legal stance right now. At present, the Iranian foreign diplomacy is living a very self observed period incapable to even guarantee the %50 share of the Caspian sea foreseen in those agreements. (Updated: Aug, 17, 2008)
Mohammad Ali Shah Dies In Italy
Mohammad Ali Shah of Qajar dynasty died in Italy at the age of 54. He had been diagnosed with diabetes. He ascended the throne after the death of his father Mozaffaroddin Shah. It was the peak of the public movement calling for Conditional Monarchy in Iran. However he could not cope with the turmoil and left Iran for Russia on Sep, 29, 1909. He then traveled to Europe and unwillingly started a new tradition: All Iranian kings after him died in exile.
Mohammad Ali Shah was a superstitious man. He used fortunetellers as advisors for decision-making. His mother, Tajolmolook Amirkabir's daughter had a great influence on him. His body was transported to Iraq buried in Karbala. (Updated: May, 28, 2009)
State Monopoly On Sugar
The fifth Majlis approved a bill presented by the government creating state monopoly over trade of sugar. Reza Shah favored a centralized government with state control over essentials such as wheat, sugar, and tea. By exclusive control of such necessities in the market, he aimed at controlling production, import, sales and distribution and keeping the prices stable. This way, the state could face extreme cases such as possible famine caused by natural disasters or wars.
There's no doubt that the Qajar Dynasty had kept Iran backwards in every way and Reza Shah brought peace and security to the country that was necessary for development.
In 1938, he completed Trans-Iranian Railway, a very big project which was financed by people; imposing a small tax on tea and sugar created necessary funds for construction of the state-of-the-art project.
State monopoly in this manner may be useful in systems that are transparent. On the other hand, there are many cases of failure where such monopolies have led to creation of mafia and power groups inside government ranks that take over the political decision making centers gradually. A systematic audit by independent NGO's, public access to information alongside free media are basic elements for success of such a system. (Updated: May, 27, 2009)
The Qajar Dynasty Overthrown
Reza Khan had seized power on Oct, 26, 1923 and Ahmad Shah, the last Qajar king was forced to exile. Then the parliament convened as constituent assembly approved Reza Khan as king and therefore putting an end to the Qajar dynasty. During the next session Reza Khan was present to take the imperial oath and began the Pahlavi dynasty. The coronation ceremony took place on Apr, 25, 1926 during which his son Mohammad Reza was named crown prince. A debate had been going on either choosing republic as the form of government that was objected by landlords and prominent politicians. Reza Shah himself was in favor of republic which was regime accepted in Turkey by Mustafa Kamal Ataturk who was his close friend. The Qajar dynasty had started in 1794. (Updated: Jan, 26, 2008)
English-Persian Glossary
- Mohammad Ali Shah : محمد علي شاه(Mohammadali Shah Ghajar)
- Transcaucasia : قفقاز جنوبي
- Turkmenchai : ترکمن چاي(Torkmanchay,Turkmenchay)
- Tajolmolook : تاج الملوک(Tajolmoluk)
- Kirgizstan : قرقزستان
- Badakhshan : بدخشان
- Ahmad Shah : احمد شاه
- Azerbaijan : آذربايجان(Atropatene)
- Amirkabir : امير کبير ميرزا تقي خان فراهاني
- Reza Khan : رضاخان
- Reza Shah : رضا شاه(Sardar Sepah, Reza Gholdor) رضا خان
- Caucasia : قفقاز
- Gulistan : گلستان(Golestan)
- Monarchy : شهرياري سلطنت مطلقه ، رژيم سلطنتي
- Khorasan : خراسان(Khorassan)
- Ataturk : آتاتورک
- Persian : فارسي(Farsi,Parsi) ايراني پارسي
- Karbala : کربلا
- Pahlavi : پهلوي(Pahlevi)
- Caspian : کاسپين(Caspian Sea, Mazandaran, Khazar Sea) بحر خزر، درياي مازندران
- Railway : راه آهن
- Bukhara : بخارا(Bokhara)
- Ukraine : اوکراين
- Iranian : ايراني اهل ايران ، وابستهبه ايران
- Dynasty : دودمان ال، خاندان پادشاهان، سلسله
- Russia : روسيه
- Soviet : شوروي
- Majlis : مجلس(Majles)
- Europe : اروپا
- Turkey : ترکيه
- Qajar : قاجار(Ghajar)
- Italy : ايتاليا
- Ahmad : احمد
- Shah : شاه پادشاه
- Aran : آران
- Iran : ايران
- Iraq : عراق(Al Aragh)
- Khan : خان
- Marv : مرو
- USSR : اتحاد جماهير شوروي(Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.))
- Reza : رضا
- NGO : موسسات غير دولتي
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