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Research Journal of Social Sciences

ISSN: 1815-9125 EISSN: 2309-9631

JOURNAL home page: http://www.aensiweb.com/RJSS 2015 September; 8(7): pages 13-17. Published Online 30 June 2015. Research Article

History of army in Qajar age till rise of Pahlavi

1Iran Hajnabi and 2Reza Shabani

1Department of History, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 2full Professor, Department of History Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 23 April 2015; Revised: 28 May 2015; Accepted: 18 June 2015

Copyright © 2015 by authors and American-Eurasian Network for Scientific Information. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

ABSTRACT

Concurrent with the advancements occurred in the countries around Europe during two world wars, the necessity to enjoy an integrative army was increasingly felt in Iran. Setting army recruiting has been in line with the attempts which have been made to create such an army. Setting mandatory system is one of the most important actions and reforms by Rezā Shāh. Yet, such a program has been followed by numerous problems and reactions. In this study, an attempt has been made to analyze and investigate the process of setting army recruiting at the first Pahlavi age via existing documents and evidences. The major hypothesis lies on this point whether Rezā Shāh enabled to develop an efficient force by enhancing military force which has been acquired mediating the mandatory army recruiting so as to support the government at all the areas?. In this study, the historical research method has been used, and library method has been used to collect data, categorized as an analytic-descriptive research method. Government's and army's actions to influence people's life, creation of national system of social control, government compliance, and conductance of people towards modern citizenship have been the most important effects that new army recruiting system fulfilled to integrate the nation, since then the military system was not just accounted as a mechanism for recruiting the manpower for military, but also as a means to link the army with the nation and find the identity of the individuals in a nation at certain national borders .

Keywords: Militarism; Soldiering; Social hierarchy; Extensive changes in rural life

INTRODUCTION other neighboring countries, under which a new spirit must be inspired to this abolished army. In doing so, Before age of Reza , Iran army has been Qajar kings should have had necessary tact and grounded on tribes and kings of tribes, commanding funding[1]. Irregular units which have in a totally traditional way. The early attempts were gradually acquired the major role in strengthening made to raise development in army at Safavid age. Qajar government continued in Qajar age in order to During History, Iran has constantly enjoyed the army equip Iran army; however, Qajar kings paid little to defend the country, engaging in conducting the attention to creation of a modern military force affairs by power or weakness. Yet, Iran army had which could protect them against external attacks and undergone weakness during Qagar age and after age internal revolts, numerous attempts were made for of Mohammad Khan Qajar due to prolonged wars military reforms based on western patterns at Qajar with the British and the Russians and Afghans and age, not resulting in ultimate aim, but paving the way

Corresponding Author: Iran Hajnabi, Department of History, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. 14 Iran Hajnabi and Reza Shabani, 2015 / Research Journal of Social Sciences 8(7), September, Pages:13-17 for creation of modern army in Iran. Fath Ali Shah's 4-establish weaponry factory and purchase son and heir, , has been the one who weapons from abroad paid attention to the reform of military structure and 5-establish military council[5] strength of country vigorous defense, under which it During the reign of Mozaffar al-Din Shah can assume him as the endower of modern army in Qajar(1275-1285 AH), Iran army has not just Qajar age. After the first encounter, Russians progressed, but also collapsed, at which no change undergoing Abbas Mirza' s army noticed that Iran was seen in its weaponry. Army staff suffered from army has no resilience to resist against 's their food, clothing and legal status[6]. Casa Kulluna massive , whereby this raised founding a new in his memoir dating back to 1275 AH in explanation system in Iran developed from six thousand of army during the reign of Mozaffar al-Din Shah individuals. After death of Abbas Mirza and Fath-Ali Qajar says about unbridled Iranian soldiers and calls Shah Qajar, came. Muhammad them thieves who steal from the shops and hears Shah was left at the mercy of Haj Mirza Aghassi, i.e. about Insults and threats by shopkeepers[7]. Despite increasing collapse of military organization was numerous efforts which have not been constant, the witnessed at that period[2]. In general, Iran army required attempt has not been made to fulfill their developed from two groups at that period: 1-irregular actions. Use of quota of nomadic tribes has been the force including irregular forces especially for tribes common process by Iran army in recruiting troops, and rural retinue, 2-regular force that was founded by mentioned that army has been the most important European coaches including cavalry and artillery. structure of government agency in Qajar age, no Yet, the third group must be also called, that is, the integrative and cohesive army has not been marine military force that has not enjoyed a special developed though8. It should be noted that influence position. At this period, some engaged in reforms so and power of foreign interventionist(UK & Russia) as to resolve the problems and deficiencies existing due to excessive weakness of Qajar kings influenced in various sectors including the military system, for all the code of ethics in the country at this period, which Mirza Taqi Khan and Mirza mentioned that benefits of these foreign Hussein Sepahsalar made huge attempts[3]. interventionists(UK & Russia) have not been Reforms of Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir consistent with creation of a national army in Iran9. Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir, the first In addition to intense competition and intrigues by chancellor of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar paid a Russia and the UK, there have been internal factors particular attention to reform of military status in with a negative effect on the process of Army organizational and administrative perspectives modernization and improvement programs[10]. With besides rest of his actions. regard to the barriers and problems, the efforts did His actions include: not come to an end, whereby the standing Persian 1-refroming method of recruiting and army had been developed from various classes after considering it on the tax quota the constitution that each class was being executed 2-classifying new army to different groups by government officers in which the governments of including cavalry, infantry and artillery Britain, Russia, Sweden and Iran had intervention, 3- factories concerning gunpowder, ball rolling such that each class might have taken actions under and weaponry and so forth must be founded in influence of several factors against the benefits of Tehran, Mashhad and for a progress in other governments[11]. military weapons After the end of World War I, Iran which had 4-establishment of Dar ul-Funun school and set been unwontedly involved as a battlefield for of military field as a field of study in this school superpowers faced numerous problems, of which it 5-set fixed regiments in the states and train them can refer to food shortages, high prices, the return of through employing the individuals who had power of tribal chiefs and landowners, sufficient familiarity with the associated affairs overwhelming authority of central government and Reforms of Mirza Hussein Sepahsalar Anglo- Russian conflict in Iran, resulting in people’s Mirza Hussein Sepahsalar who had been in dissatisfaction, increase of nationalist sentiments, rise charge for an ambassador in the countries such as the of the spirit of defiance and resistances at various Ottoman till 1287 AH, was selected as the secretary regions of the country, that the most important ones of war in 1288 AH and called Sepahsalar[4]. have been movement of Mīrzā Kūchik Khān in Sepahsalar followed by Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir Guilan and Shaikh Mohammad Khiābāni in proceeded the process of reforms concerning the Tabriz[12]. Further, under such circumstances in military dimension. British Government, a force ‘Southern police’ has His actions include: been in south of Iran, and another force had entered to eastern and northern areas of Iran that lacked 1-set new rules and associations at war ministry Russian assault on Iran’s land. Maintenance of these 2-employ Austrian teachers for three years groups required excessive expenditures which had 3-develop military newspaper resulted in protest by the representatives of the people of England, and protest by Iranian nation and

15 Iran Hajnabi and Reza Shabani, 2015 / Research Journal of Social Sciences 8(7), September, Pages:13-17 government due to illegality of southern police founded Iran army. He has calling it an invasive force[13]. These factors caused transformed traditional Iran army to a modern army the British rulers to decide upon integrating Iran with new troops. He has founded a new recruiting army that have long had in their mind to do it. Before system. Reza Shah not just modernized Iran army but the third coup in March 1299 AH, there has not been also transformed equipment and army clothing and a centralized army in Iran. After Fath Ali Shah's wars founded a new army which has not had a record in with Russia, attempts by Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Iran. Reza Shah had publicized the army as his great Kabir failed in Dar ul-Funun school. At the late of accomplishment. Yet the army could not resist the Qajar age, kings used to use local armies or the assault of invaders for even a day or two. Many high armies developed from foreigners via Iran’s ranking officers showed cowardice, fleeing their expenditure, that such armies include Cossack commands and leaving the area in total chaos. Some Brigade under supervision of Russians and southern units left behind their weapons, which ended up in police under supervision of the British, gendarmerie the hands of tribes whom Reza Shah had brought under supervision of Swedish and Austrian under central government control at the expense of officers[14]. Naturally, local armies lacked cohesive many lives. The Iranian army was basically a and integrative equipment, equipped with old domestic security force. In terms of equipment, weapons[15]. Decadence and incompetence of the personnel, and preparedness it could not engage in a military in addition to resulting in public insecurity war with modern armies of the day. The Iranian navy and people’s dissatisfaction enhanced centrifugal consisted of two outdated battleships that were sunk forces[16]. According to the letter of Seyed by the British navy in the first hours of invasion. Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaei to Mozaffar ad-Din Reza Shah who was a member of Cossack Brigade Shah Qajar due to constitutional movement, the and perceived importance of a strong military troops’ status has been depicted in this way: status of association and faced insecure conditions in Iran, the Soldiers who are protecting the government is stepped in development of a unique army and issued unknown, and no benefit is given to them, let them to the early command at Iran army after reaching to the work and die of hunger[17]. Qajar age must be position of war minister in 1924. With regard to this known as the age of degeneration of the army. command, gendarmerie and Cossack army were Thinking about developing a strong army has never integrated. One month later in 1924, an come to realize at Qajar age due to faint-hearted and announcement declared that Iran army has been jovial and languishing Qajar kings. This has been in organized with five armies. Headquarters of these this way that Qajar kings used to familiarize to new armies were settled in cities of Tehran, Tabriz, military associations in their travels to big European Hamedan, Isfahan and Mashhad[21]. Reza Shah countries and visit them. For this, Qajar army had an organized military education system at police unstable foundation[18]. Hajj Sayyah who has been a faculties based on European modern system. Further, reformist and visited most areas of Iran, says about in 1925, he has declared that he will dispatch a Iran army at the age of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar: it number of Iranian police officers to France for the must be known that army and troops in Iran are purpose of learning military techniques. The first nothing except words, as ministry, government and group of these police officers was dispatched to other occupations aim to collect property and loot, police faculties throughout France. Military suicides and the names of officer, generalissimo, brigadier, and irregular wars helped for acquisition of colonel and king can be mediators in doing so, experience by the forces[22]. During 1925, Reza mentioned that all the clergymen who have spanned Shah provided the preparations for purchase of gun Iran do not enter into army, because they exempt and weapons from Europe, i.e. such weapons were from all duties of the state and nation and want to be entered to Iran since 1926. The early heavy weapons owner of the world and the hereafter. Once, troops purchased by Reza Shah have been four Rolls-Royce announced their pitiable condition in a petition to the armored cars that have not been used at war due to king, yet the king whipped them and stated: no one lack of suitable roads in the country and their high must complain to his/her king, in return they asked cost, being used more in political crises and forgiveness from him. Due to Ala ud-Daula military[23]. Reza Shah has been in charge for Simnani’s evil intention, not just troops did not come minister of war, attempting to develop army to to an end, but ten young troops among them were employ all the forces under his control. Power of whipped[19]. Etemad al-Saltaneh, companion & army has been dedicated to maintain the entire Iran’s Nadeem Shah, confirms Hajj Sayyay’s statements, lands in point of view of Qavām os-Saltaneh, yet the and says about events in 1924: I announced about commander of army knew his power essential for his new military law to king, under which there will be upcoming programs, and ultimately Qavām os- no war, tumult and illness; in response, king said we Saltaneh agreed on integration of gendarmes and have no power to fight and to put ourselves in Cossack in order that an integrative army develops. trouble[20]. Qavām os-Saltaneh agreed on integration of armies, yet he avoided assignment of police who has Army at the age Reza Shah: been under control of Sweden officers and ultimately

16 Iran Hajnabi and Reza Shabani, 2015 / Research Journal of Social Sciences 8(7), September, Pages:13-17 managed to satisfy the commander of army in access the population, number of armed forces gendarmes after long conflicts and speeches to issue reached to 127 thousand individuals. This army was the command for development of integrative army in filled with a small air force, a mechanized regiment 1924. Under this command, an army council including 100 tanks and several warships in the combined of five circulars was developed[24]. . He connected the military leader with Reza Shah’s reign was Iran's first modern his regime in a regular way, and reached the absolute state and although some of its features have professional officers’ life level to a level higher than roots in the past as a new political system. Reza that of for the rest of public employees[27]. Shah’s reign established the basics of modern absolutist state by concentrating the resources and Conclusion: the power tools, creation of national unity, In 1299 AH, when Reza Shah changed the establishment of a modern army, weaken the conditions under the tumult governing Iran and lack scattered power centers, forced settling, semi- of superior government via his coup d'état by nomadic disarmed, creating new bureaucratic, establishing a strong national government, his action financial reforms and focus on office resources. For was welcomed by the elites and people who were sixth parliament onwards the institutions arising from tired of disrespect, insecurity and invasion. By the constitutional integrated in construction in absolutist passage of time, Reza Shah inspired of advancement state and emerged as main centers of political power and civilization in west, engaged in Anti in front of executive, court and the army. Reza reform policies. In this regard, firstly the reforms in Shah’s reign at first was in seeking of powerful army and administrative system and country division groups especially clergymen and Ulema in order to were considered to enhance government and extent consistency of his power and in suitable situation the power throughout Iran, and then westernism neutralized their political power. The main problem policies and combating with traditions were started of Reza Shah’s reign it was that on the one hand the by reliance on a strong army and administrative creating of absolutist state was as factor in social and organization under control of central government, economic changing, on the other side the same power whereby the judicial and education system which has construction was in conflict with requirements of been developed based on religious and traditional policy development. Overall Reza Shah’s reign rules and beliefs went under control. In this regard, created strong and centralized administration and creation of a new army in Iran as a historical dominated the major sources of power including necessity to set security, maintain land totality, avoid mandatory and non-mandatory[25]. nations’ claims, create national unity was not just a The domination of reign on major sources of response to the elites’ desire to develop a national power was maintained with the establishment of the government, but also was a tendency by British modern army and with creation of new financial government to possess a central government with a institutions. Lack of implementation of constitution, strong and centralized army in Iran. As mentioned by extensive state intervention in parliamentary most of researchers, the most important change elections, the election of representatives among occurred in new army at the first Pahlavi period and court’s fans from the fifth parliament to fourteenth enabled working out in line with creation of modern parliament were as other signs of the absolutist state army has been execution of compensatory recruiting establishment. King had a bad view to all men within system. In this system, governments looked into the administration because of vote independence and masses as resources for power for the first time. Reza capacity or level which they had for their popularity Shah who had witnessed experience of and and according his order were removed of power. So the European countries in compensatory use of lack of accessing of Reza Shah to important data and citizens in army decided to execute compensatory resourceful also capable management were the recruiting system in his modern government. In causing of his falling. The king controlling on 1924, compensatory military system has been parliament and the public and political life also was recognized as a necessary step in line with followed from this pattern. The king lost his development of national authority. Ultimately, greatness simultaneously with getting more compensatory system consisting of 32 articles was monarchical. His important goal was army, therefore issued in 1926 by national council assembly. could call the Reza Shah regime as military Establishment of compensatory system or military despotism[26]. In 1927, under confirmation by the system is followed by a new wave of rest of modern assembly, a group of Iranian officers were dispatched entities including establishment of registry system. to European military schools to pass education Execution of military law likewise most of the rules courses. In 1929, Iran army was estimated over 100 at the first Pahlavi period faced social barriers and thousands, that 20 thousands were estimated as resistances. The resistances caused Pahlavi regime gendarmes26. Reza Shah relies on modern army as postpones execution of recruiting till 1927 and sets the leading basis of his new system. When the annual public movements in opposition to this law under defensive budget increased since 1924 till 1944 and control of elites in southern cities and Tabriz, yet the recruiting law causes increasing the possibility to most important effect that new recruiting mechanism

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