Iran

1. Iran

3. Shah Isma`il • 1501-24 • Established Shi`ism as state religion of Safavid Dynasty • Imported Shi`a ulama and legal experts – especially from Lebanon • Isma`il claimed to be descended form the seventh Imam, to be divinely inspired and to be the earthly representative of the Hidden 12th Imam  religious authority by successors

4. Safavid Empire • Conquered by the Qizilbash tribesmen • Isma`il their leader • Tribal leaders rewarded with land; became provincial governors • Isma`il added bureaucrats to the formula  created an absolutist bureaucratic empire

5. Military development • Rivalry between Qizilbash tribes threatened existence of the Safavid empire  • Shah Abbas (1587-1629) created a standing royal army composed by Christian slaves; a gunpowder force • To finance the army, Shah Abbas centralized land ownership to the throne  tribes weakened • Isfahan became the capital under Shah Abbas

6. Stability  Decline • Shah Abbas’ “centralized machinery of government” stabilized the empire – survived despite a series of incompetent rulers • Peace and stability  decline of army  unable to defeat rebellious chieftain from Afghanistan in 1722; end of Safavid dynasty • Lengthy period of decentralization ensued

7. Qajar Dynasty • The Qajars were never able to fully centralize the empire; the centrifugal elements were too powerful: • Shi`a religious establishment became detached and independent from the government. • The Qajar shahs never claimed right to divinity (unlike the Safavids)  religious authority questioned  the ulama gained the exclusive right to be religious leaders; interpreted laws and practice of religion. The ayatollah was the superior leader of the religious establishment • Controlled education, justice system and amassed considerable wealth (collection of religious taxes, fees, etc.)

8. Qajar dynasty cont. • “No military security, no administrative stability and little ideological legitimacy” • 2nd half of 19th century: • 3000 troops in the army; real military power with the tribal chieftains • Tribal political and financial autonomy • Qajar dynasts practiced “divide and rule” to stay in power • Tax collecting abilities very limited  state always broke • Attempts at military reform; Cossack brigade (1879) only lasting and efficient result

9. Administration in the Qajar era • Limited administrative reform • No development of a cadre of civil servants; local government sold to highest bidder • Rampant bribery and extortion • The government resented among regular people; the state did not provide security/protection and local officials exploited the population • Education: • Only state sponsored, “western” school: Dar al-Funun (1851) • Education firmly controlled by the ulama • Justice system: • Ulama administered justice based on their monopoly on religious interpretations

10. Iran and the Europeans • Strategic importance • Main rivals: Russia and Britain – Iran “allowed to” exist as a buffer state between the interests of these two empires • Russian expansion into Iranian provinces; Turkestan, Caucasus, Azerbaijan, etc. • “Capitulation” treaties imposed on Iran by Russia and Britain in the 1800s  European economic penetration • Economic transformation of Iran followed a similar pattern to Egypt and the Ottoman Empire although at a smaller scale • Intense competition over concessions

11. Popular unrest; the Tobacco Protest of 1891 • The Qajar government was inefficient and corrupt and allowed foreign economic exploitation  popular dissatisfaction • 1890: an English company granted the exclusive right to produce, sell and export Iran’s entire tobacco crop  a protest organized and led by the ulama developed; use of tobacco unlawful until concession was canceled  boycott of tobacco products • 1892: Tobacco concession cancelled