Title: Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power
Abstract: Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power, by Cyrus Ghani. London: LB. Taurus, 1998. xiv + 412 pages. Bibl. to p. 421. Index of names to p. 434. $45. Reviewed by David Suratgar Cyrus Ghani, an Americanophile Iranian lawyer and renowned collector of books, manuscripts and prints on Iran and the region has been an indirect beneficiary-in-exile of the Iranian Revolution. He was fortunate to have left Iran with his library intact and with the financial resources to retire like Montaigne to his tower, with the time to contemplate and write. Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah is an impressive work. It is the result of Ghani's unrivaled knowledge of primary sources in Persian and English, as well as his familiarity with German, French and Russian material. This book focuses on the period immediately following the 1919 agreement pressed on Iran by Lord George Curzon, who was ever anxious to use this country as part of the grand design to insulate his beloved India from German, and later, from Russian-inspired conspiracies and encroachments. The book's introduction carefully traces the ceaseless manipulation of Persian politics by both imperial Britain and Russia during the 19th century. The practice of realpolitik led the British Foreign Office to alternate between supporting and undermining political reforms in Persia. Ghani establishes the origins of Curzon's policy and sets it against the backdrop of the weak Qajar dynasty and the endemic corruption that characterized Anglo-Persian relations. Ghani's mastery of detail and fluid narrative style make this solid historical account an easy read. The book is very helpful in clarifying the story of the end of the Qajar dynasty and Britain's promotion of Reza Khan's ascendancy. Ghani reveals the clashes between the British Minister, Henry Cameron Norman (who served in Tehran from 1920-21) and Lord Curzon, who rejected Norman's advice as well as that of British officials in New Delhi, but refused to allocate the financial and military resources necessary to support his ambitions. The book also presents clearly the intricate games played by Ahmad Shah, who was ever anxious to escape to the pleasure French resorts and rarely happy with British-endorsed prime ministers. Ghani provides a contrasting portrait of Reza Khan, who played the British game when it suited him, but cunningly masked his own game plan until the time for action presented itself. Ghani argues convincingly that the events of this period were just another chapter in Iran's long history of humiliation by foreign powers. Ghani demonstrates that the failure of the constitutional experiment at the beginning of the 20th century, the constant threat posed by secessionist movements in key provinces, and the presence on Iranian territory of surrogate forces made Iran ripe for autocracy. …
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 48
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot