Predynastic Era

8000BC --Permanent settlement made possible due to the agricultural developments. Nutrition leads to the complex civilizations. The Iranian plateau became one of the oldest civilizations in history.

5000 BC -- Recent discovery as wine Jar, in the oldest archaeological finding of iran attests to the wine-making skill related to the Iranians.

4000-3900 BC – The discovery near Kashan, known as Sialk, so far is a sign of oldest city on the Iranian plateau.

3000 BC -- Proto Empire on the Iranian plateau sided with Jiroft Kingdom.

2000 BC --Elamits and Aryan Kingdom were established on their way moving to the Iranian plateau.

2000-1000 BC --Various groups of  Medes and Aryan nomads migrated to the Iranian plateau from central Asia.

1000 BC --Concept of monotheism introduced by Zoroaster. Freedom of mankind choosing between the two alternatives, Good and Evil, was presented. His teaching was based on Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds concepts which had a profound influence on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Iranians adopted Zoroastrianism at a time when Greeks, and later Romans, still practiced polytheistic religions.

Achaemenian Dynasty

559-530 BC --The first Iranian Empire was established by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC. His respect for the local traditions, laws, languages and religions set the foundation of a relatively compassionate empire.

539 BC --Babylon welcomed the peaceful liberation by Cyrus the Great. Babylonians surrendered peacefully because of his benevolent policies, such as respecting their first Secular establishment. Cyrus freed the Jews from captivity and assisted them to reconstruct their temple in Jerusalem. Cyrus is hailed as the Shepherd of the Lord in the Old Testament, in the Book of Isaiah. I am Cyrus, King of the World. When I entered Babylon I did not allow anyone to terrorize the land. I kept in view the needs of its people and all its sanctuaries to promote their well being. I put an end to their misfortune.

522-486 BC --The zenith of the Iranian Empire emerged during reign of Darius the Great. Darius respectfully upholding the traditions established by Cyrus, valued the rights of all people under his rule. The following inscription appears on his tomb: “By the favor of the great God I believe in justice and abhor inequity. It is not my desire that the weak man should have wrong done to him by the mighty....” He engineered the empire under the satrapy system (similar to national and local governments). He built many roads, ports, banking houses, the oldest "cheque/check" used in his kingdom, elaborate underground irrigation systems and a canal to link the Nile to the Red Sea (an early precursor of the Suez Canal). In the 19th century, archeologists in Egypt discovered an inscription by Darius commemorating the completion of the canal: I am a Persian. I commanded to dig this canal from a river by the name of Nile which flows in Egypt....After this canal was dug, ships went from Egypt through this canal to Persia, thus as was my desire.

The king of Kings revolutionized mankind's economic activities by introducing one of the earliest (certainly the first on such a massive scale) forms of common coinage in history, the Darik. He established uniformed weights and measures, the codification of commercial laws, stimulated world trade and elevated the Iran Empire's economy to new levels of prosperity.

 490-479BC --In the historic life of Iran a war did not come unless enemy (Greeks/Romans) attacked. They believed that prosperity was not achieved through war, it was obtained through diplomacy. Further, Greeks were defeated and the kings successfully played the Athenians and Spartans against each other for 150 years. Xeroxe’s navy was commandeered by a female (Artemisia). She was instrumental in victorious participation in various defeats over Athens. The Persian King Artaxerxes II was asked to mediate between the two Greek states, leading to the King's Peace of 387 BC.

550-334 BC --For over two centuries Iranian Empire was a dominant power. The first significant and continuous means of contact between East and West. The term "Secularism" was not known then, but it was the world's first religiously tolerant Empire. The Empire was of such great a scale where  different languages were spoken and contained various local cultures. Rule of law perhaps started prior to that of Romans. Powerful centralized army and an efficient and systematic state administration were established. For the first time in history, diverse peoples could culturally flourish and economically prosper under one central government.

Parthian Dynasty & Alexander

 334BC --Following Alexander of Macedonia's victory over the Iranian army, massive execution of many were ordered by this Greek man. Contrary to the principles of Cyrus the Great, Alexander’s troops were encouraged to indulge in plunders, rape, drunken rage and setting fire to Persepolis. The glory of this land was at a stage that he could not return to his Hellenic homeland; therefore, considered himself a successor to Achaemenian Kings and paid tribute to Cyrus the Great at his tomb. He emulated Persian court customs and attempted to create a new culture, a mixture of both Persian and Hellenistic. He married a Persian woman (Roxana) and ordered all his generals and 10,000 of his soldiers to follow suit in a mass wedding.

323 BC --Alexander died. He might have been known as a masterful general, but gravely lacked administrative skills. Shortly after his death, his empire was divided among his contesting generals. Legacy of his conquest of Iranian treasure was the introduction of the Iranian imperial practices into the West. Many of  practices ­ particularly those relating to state administration and the rule of law ­ were later adopted by the Roman Empire.

323-141 BC -- One of Alexander's generals declares Seleucid Dynasty in Iran, ruling as the king of an Iranian Kingdom.

247 BC-224 AD -- The Iranian Seleucid Empire of Greek origin, was gradually defeated by Parthians, a tribal kingdom from northeastern Iran. They consolidated their control over all Empire of Iran. “Arsaces” became the title of all Parthian kings in much the same way as “Caesar” was later to become the title of all Roman emperors. Numerous fights with Romans lead to Parthians victory in 53 BC. Now Parthians became superpower of their era. Expert mobilization, archery and Parthian fighting style brought awe to Roman armies. Parthians ruled for almost five centuries, but very little of their civilization survived, except for some small art objects.

Sasanian Dynasty

-- 224Sasanian Dynasty was founded by Ardeshir I. Iranian culture, Zoroastrianism and a conscious effort to return to the Achaemenian norms became popular amongst Sasanians. Trade both with Romans/Byzantines, and the Chinese grew. Sasanian gold and silver coins which were found in the excavations in China, have shed light to many centuries.

260 --Roman Empire which was conquered by Shahpur I, brought Emperor Valerian to his knees. Shahpur I

established the large Jondi Shahpur library which became a major center for higher learning

 –274Mani, the founder of Manichaeism, introduced a religion hoping to have it become universal in the mean time "Mitharism" emerged and grown in the west. He combined elements of Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Buddhism.

 

--528Abolition of private property, division of wealth, nonviolence and vegetarianism emerged by the religion that Mazdak introduced.  Majority struggled between peasants and nobility. His ideas can be considered the world's first communist/socialist school of thought.

 

--531-579Khosrow Anoushiravan I era marked the height of the Sasanian dynasty. He and his minister/advisor Bozorgmehr promoted scholarship and sponsored the translation of Indian and Greek scientific and medical texts into Middle Persian or Pahlavi, Iran's native language. By the time of Khosrow I, Jondi Shahpur's library had amassed one of the largest collection of books in the world. Fleeing philosophers or oppressed scientists from Byzantine Empire were welcomed by Khosrow I. His governance had been influenced by Mazdak's ideology and teachings. Anyone could rattle the chain at the Palace gate seeking justice or having an audience with the king. The Chess game was brought to Iran by his minister Bozorgmehr,  which was a strategic game for Kings and Queens. Reportedly he invented the game of backgammon to prove that other elements of life are also in progress.

 

--570Prophet Mohammad was born. This date is not accurate, because there is a reference in Koran to the effect that he was born in "Aam-ol-Phil" year. That corresponds with his father's era when Abraha in 540, under the influence of Romans and Ethiopian King, headed north (Mecca) to create another front with Iranians in order to facilitate Roman victory. In the same year, chickenpox broke out massacring Abraha's army; whereas, Koran claims that some birds from sea, as instructed by "Allah", carried pebbles to kill Abraha's personnel.

 

-608-622The long lasting wars between Sasanians and Byzantines weakened both sides significantly.

 

--622Fearing persecution and loss of his life, Prophet Mohammad  absconded from Mecca to Medina. This move, presumed as migration or Hijra (Arabic) 13 years after the birth of Islam, marked the beginning of Islamic Calendar. As Muslims claim, God conveyed the beliefs of Islam to  Prophet Mohammad through Angel Gabriel in a series of visions and revelations.

Sasanian Vs. Islam

-629.632While Islam treated women as half men and allowed men to beat their wives, two consecutive female monarchs ruled over the Sasanian Empire, namely Purandokht and her sister Azarmidokht. Purandokht signed a peace treaty with Byzantines.

 

 --632The Book that is claimed to be composed of pure verses coming from "Allah", was compiled sometime after Prophet Mohammad died in 632. His revelations (remembered by others!!) were collected and compiled to become the Holy Book of Islam - The Koran.

 

Arab Caliphate

The Iranian Empire under Sasani rule, which was rich in culture, wealth, library, mathematics, science, astronomy and successfully defended itself against the Roman/Byzantine Empires for centuries, suddenly weakened swiftly and was vanquished by nomadic tribesmen. The catastrophe was mainly caused by Zoroasterian priests "Moubedans" interference with the governing laws and politics. The Muslim army was only interested in Iran’s wealth, not imposition of their newly acquired religion on the vanquished. Muslims attacked and killed to capture more wealth and women. They cared less about spreading the newly created faith by Mohammad.  Islam's ideals of equality and unity disintegrated after the escape of Mohammad to Medina. Islam's rules were in sharp contrast with the rigid and hierarchical social structure of the later Sasanian period.

 

- 661Following the death of Mohammad in 632, Abu-Baker governed as Rashedeen caliph for two years; Omar ruled for 10 years; then Ottoman  for 12 years. Ali who is Prophet Mohammad's son-in-law, (Mohammad could not produce children, therefore Fatima could not carrying the same blood with Mohammad) became forth caliph for 5 years.  Imam Ali was assassinated as a result of great schism in Islam between the Sunni and Shi'ite sects. Iran did not become a Shi'ite nation for almost another nine centuries. Actual Shiism in Iran is a bit different from what emerged following Ali's war with Khavarej.

*661-750The Umayyad rulers primarily imitated the Iranian management skills and other matters until they became familiarized with Iranian cultural, scientific and mathematical know how. As the time went by, they passed them for Islamic origin. The invading Arabs in the meantime tried hard to impose their language on Iranians, but failed due to powerful Iranian literature and their own lack of Arabic grammar. An Iranian namely “Sibovayh” wrote and completed the Arabic grammar. This caused the demise of the Middle Persian or Pahlavi alphabet in favor of the new Arabic/Persian alphabet in use to this day. Thereon the Arabs tried to eradicate the independent and unique sense of Iranian identity, as it occurred in Egypt, but with minimal success.


680 -- Imam Hussein, Imam Ali's son, was killed in a war with Yazid, over his refusal to make an oath of allegiance to the latter as well as taking a woman namely Oraynab with whom Yazid had fallen in love. Yazid, son of Moaviyeh of Umayyads responded by killing Hussain in Karbala. In spight of the event, Shiite clergies recognize the legitimacy of Hussain's right to rule.

 

 --  -696Arabic language was accepted in certain North African, Eastern Mediterranean and some other countries that had accepted Islam

 

-- 750Umayyad rule ended by Abbasids through financial and military support of Iranians. Abu Muslim Khorasani lead the Iranian army defeating Umayyads. He relocated the capital from Damascus to Baghdad, a newly built city adjacent to the old Sasanian capital, Ctesiphon. This symbolic move by an Iranian increased the Iranian power amongst the Islamic nations.

750-1258 -- Iranians for several centuries influenced the Abbasid Caliphate through their right bureaucracy, law and order, administrative  and other cultural and social assistance. Iranian customs deepend its roots in the Arab world. The word Vazier (minister) and  Divan (secretariat or bureau for state revenue) were copied from the Sasanian model. Caliphs adopted Iranian style court and ceremonial procedures. The Barmakids family assisted by Iranian Vazir, became architects of the Abbasid political structure.

Cultural Golden Age

 -- 820-1220As the stronger Iranian local monarchs named hereunder began to emerge the ruling power of Abbasid diminished:

Tahirids (821-873)
Saffarids (867-903)
Samanids (873-999)
Ziyarids (928-1077)
Buyids (945-1055)

They were followed by Turkic dynasties with Iranian culture:


Ghaznavids (962-1186)
Seljuqs (1038-1153)
Khwarazmis (1153-1220)

One of the most poetic and philosophic parlance of the modern times blossomed in Iranian vast and flexible language, called Parsi, with deep and unique lexical capabilities. The Samanids were the first to adopt Persian as the official language of their court. During Samainds era, Iran certainly became a world center for art, literature and science. Iranians played a major role in the advancement of human ability in nearly all fields of endeavor in civilization.

840 -- Sibovayh, a Persian scholar, laid the foundation for the codification of Arabic grammar and wrote the first Arabic dictionary.

850 -- Precise, remarkable, mathematic equation tables and the first work of Algebra was written by philosopher Khwarazmi. The Book  titled "Algorithm" described complicated Integrations and Equations introduced by Khawrazmi. In fact he described the concept of zero and decimal system which is the basis of abacus that is the world’s first computing device. This device was invented by Chinese but the concept came from Khawrazmi. He helped replacing Roman numerals by figures. The result of his endeavors is used in the entire world to the present day.

879 -- Iranians disappointed by brutal rulings of Arab or Arab related individuals, revolted against the oppression. The first one who rose to the ruling stage was Yaqub Leys-Saffari. He attacked Baghdad, the capital of Islamic rule defeating the oppressor. He was promoter of Persian language.

865-925 --Famous mathematician, chemist, astronomer, physician and philosopher Razi, discovered alcohol, invented the medical usage of the substance and wrote a number of books on a variety of topics, especially medicine. His studies on Smallpox and Measles are translated into many European languages.

940 --Poet, musician and language philosopher Rudaki crystallized the Persian language. He introduced the most subtly poetic words for the first time in history. Because poetry is the first pillars of Iranian language, his work identifies the richness of the Iranian culture.

940-1020 -- Iran's national and most likely its greatest patriot Ferdowsi, compiled the unique national Iranian epic, Shahnameh. During the year 1010 in which Arabic language was about to invade Iranian culture, his work that took him 30 years to complete and consisted of some 50,000 couplets, distinguished the Persian language and its powerful richness of form that could not be found in any other language in the region. He was a genuine defender of Persian national identity. He did not demonstrate any prejudice against Arabs but barred the influence of a foreign language. He wrote his entire epic almost void of any Arabic word. Mythical stories of Shahnameh describes pre-Islamic Iran, bravery, love and patriotism. The noble knight named Rostam is the chief epic hero who embodies integrity, strength, chivalry and love to a son.

980-1037 -- One of the most significant scientists of all times, philosopher, mathematician, poet and physician Ibn Sina (Avicenna) was born and raised in Iran (Hamadan or Hekmatana to be exact) wrote 254 books, including The Cannon of Medicine and an encyclopedia summarizing all the then known medical knowledge throughout the world. His books are translated into Latin, English, French and German. They are still taught in every medical university across the globe. His books on Logic, emphasized by Avicenna as means of discovering the truth, are the most read.
945-1055 – Baghdad, capital city of Islam, was captured by Buyids from north-central Iran. The reduced role of caliph to that of a religious figurehead only, established the future developments that emerged as  troubles in 19-21st centuries. Political power remained in Buyid's hands for almost a hundred years.

1092 -- Not from an Iranian origin, but ruling in Iran for Iran, Malek Shah of Seljug dynasty, assisted by and in consultation with his intelligent Vazir (Minister) namely Nizam-ol-Mulk, opened a new era in Iranian history. Under guidance of Nizam-ol-Mulk Malik, Shah controlled virtually the entire eastern segment of the region, from Syria to Afghanistan. Nizam-ol-Mulk the author of a famous book on politics and government system, named Siyasatnameh, set significant standards in ruling arena. Court procedures,  systematic decision-making processes and restriction of arbitrary rules were discussed in his book. He established Nizamieh Schools, teaching politics and other sciences in the major cities, which under Seljuq rule increased public awareness. He was the benefactor of both Ghazali and Khayyam.

1048-1122 --Mathematics, astronomy, poetry, literature were the famous Omar Khayyam’s line of expertise. With precise calculations he created the   most accurate calendar in the world. He helped building an important observatory in Isfahan. His philosophical quatrains named Robaiyat gained him such fame that a famous British, Fitzgerald, in 19th century translated them into English. Khayyam’s poems consecrate the divine gift of love and life.  Khayam's Robaiyat has since been translated into many languages.

1058-1111 – Ghazali was recognized as the most prominent individual to discuss rational interpretation of existence, mystic and spiritual subjects. He was also a prominent theologian of his time. Gazali and Ibne Sina (Avicenna) represented two opposite views. Sufis strive for a deeper understanding of life and a closer communion with God through meditation, inner self-examination and the rejection of worldly possessions, Gazali tried to depict such moral.

Mongol Era

1206 -- Mongol clans united by Gangis Khan, attempted to conquer the world!

1220 -- Unparalleled brutality, burning, mass killings and destruction came to Iran with the advent of Gangis Khan and his Mongol horde. One of the worst catastrophes in the history of mankind. As a result of this catastrophe, North Eastern province of Iran went under an extensive destruction.  Hulagu Khan, erased almost every major city, destroyed libraries and hospitals and slaughtered almost the entire population. The death toll estimates ranged in the millions. But Iranians and Iran did not all die, they converted Mongols to  building rather than destroying.

1227 –The Divided Empire was inherited by Gangis Khan's sons.

1258-1353 --Abbasid Caliphate came to an end following the invasion of Baghdad by Mongols in 1258. The Il-Khanid dynasty gained control of the segment of the Mongol Empire covering Iran.

1271 --Book of Travelers by Marco Polo on his way to China describes Mongols' savagery, brutality and truculent behavior. One more time, following "Tazi = Arabs" invasion, death and devastation came upon beautiful and prosperous Iran.

1207-1273 --The author of Mathnavi, the greatest mystical poet of Iran, an elevated Sufi and philosopher, Rumi, creates a master piece in poetry. In fear of Mongols, his parents migrated to Anatolia. His poetry and philosophy had a significant influence throughout the world. His rich poetry describes inner god in mankind by his mystic order found in self.

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1274 --One of the famous observatories was built in Maragheh in the province of Azarbaijan by Nasir-ol-Din Tousi, following the invasion of Arabs and Mongols. He, as an astronomer and philosopher, developed the mathematical calculations showing the earth's revolution around the sun and its spherical shape and size. His work was later translated into Latin and postdated by some 200 years to that of Copernicus who is now considered to be the founder of modern astronomy and the originator of the idea of a solar-centered universe.

1213-1292 --Two of the most significant literary books written by a traveling poet, philosopher, political analyst, Sa'edi, are Bustan and  Gulistan. Using meaningful poems, he exercised wide influence over the world from India, Central Asia and as far as United Nation in USA.

All human beings are in truth akin;
All in creation share one origin.
When fate allots a member pangs and pains,
No ease for other members then remains.
If, unperturbed, another's grief canst scan,
Thou are not worthy of the name of man

His poems emphasized the interdependence of all mankind regardless of nationality, race or religion. The above is UN logo for unity of mankind. He asked for the following inscription on his tomb:

"From the tomb of Sa'edi, son of Shiraz the perfume of love escapes - thou shall smell it still 1,000 years after his death."

1295 --Customarily in Iran, strangers who established governments in this land, have been converted to the Iranian traditions because of the powerful and rich culture of Iran. Ghazan Khan became the first Mongol of Il-Khanid who ruled in the name of Iran and accepted Islam. Prior to him, Greek, Arab and Turkic invaders were "Iranianized." Thanks to the Iranian scholar and prime minister Rashid-ed-Din, Ghazan started rebuilding the previous Mongol devastations. Jami' Al-Tawarikh attests to the Universal History written by Rashid-ed-Din, which is full of policies that brought about a short-lived period of peace and prosperity. During Mongols’ Iranian Empire, ideas and goods were exchanged with China and India.

1320-1390 --Sense of beauty, love of humanity,  philosophy and knowledge of Arabic language characterized lyrical works of Hafez, one of the greatest poets of Iran.

1339-1432 -- The Jalayirids were a Mongol descendant dynasty which ruled west of Iran and a part of Iran at Iraq border. The Jalayirid sultanate lasted about fifty years, until disrupted by Tamerlane's conquests and the revolts of the "Black sheep Turks" or Kara Koyunlu. After Tamerlane's death in 1405, there was a brief unsuccessful attempt to re-establish the Jalayirid sultanate.

1405 --Timur (Tamerlane), of the Timurid dynasty origin, goes back to a Mongolian nomadic confederation, known as Barlas, following conquest of Central Asia by Mongols. the Barlas settled in Turkistan and intermingled to a considerable degree with the local Turkic and Turkic-speaking population. The Turco-Mongol leader, conquered much of Iran and its surroundings. Although brutal, he was also a patron of arts. Samarqand, his capital, gathered artists from all over Iran. Following his death, his empire disintegrated, but his descendants ruled over various parts of Iran for almost a century.

1429 -- The credit of first calculating machine goes to Jamshid Kashani. He was a major mathematician, inventor of advanced number theory who participated in the astronomical activities at Samarqand.

1407-1508 -- Qara-Goyonloo and Aq-Goyonloo ruled in a Part of Iran.

Safavid Dynasty

1501-1524 --Following some nine centuries of fragmented rule by various dynasties, Shah Ismail I united all of Iran under Iranian leadership. He declared Shi'ism as the official state religion and virtually forcefully converted all of Iran and some surroundings under his control. This alone differentiated Iranians from the rest of the world practicing Islam; in particular from the Sunni Ottomans. The Safavid kings in general supported the Shi'ite clergy.

1587-1629 --Pinnacle of the Safavid dynasty bloomed during reign of Shah Abbas. Disciplined standing army defeated the Ottomans. In 1598, he chose Isfahan as his capital. A strong supporter of the arts, especially architecture, he adorned Isfahan with some of the finest monuments in the world. He built a number of mosques, schools, bridges and a major bazaar. Iran craftsmen and artists excelled in creating fine silks, cloths, porcelain, metalwork, calligraphy, miniatures and carpets.

1501-1722 --Ottomans in Anatolia and Mughals in India, the two contemporary Islamic rivals relied on Iranian artisans and poets for much of their arts and literature. Persian language became the first choice in both of their courts. Texts, miniatures, court items, painting preferences were almost all written in Parsi or were influenced by Iranian culture. India also adopted Iranian cultural and administrative skills, although it was later colonized by British. An Iranian architect named Ostad Isad built Taj Mahal  which is significantly influenced by Iranian designs.

 --1722During Shah Sultan Hussain a chieftain and a vassal of the Safavid from Afghanistan, Mahmoud Khan, captured Isfahan, encountering virtually no resistance, ended the Safavid dynasty.

 

 –1729-1747Nader Shah, an officer of the Safavids, expelled the Afghans and reunited the country. In 1738 the "Afshar" dynasty was born through Nader who proclaimed himself the Shah of Iran. Soon afterwards he waged a war against the Afghans (Pashtuns) and captured Kandahar. He was a brilliant military strategist who defeated the Ottomans, Russians, Indians and various local tribes. Two of the world's greatest diamond pieces, Sea of the Light (now in Iran) and Mountain of the Light (Part of British Crown Jewels) were captured by Nadir Shah in his invasion of Mughal India. Nader Shah’s military machine collapsed following his assassination by his own guardsmen.

 

*-1747-1779Karim Khan Zand gained control of central and southern parts of Iran. He was a compassionate ruler who refused to assume the title of Shah and referred to himself as the Representative of the People. He fought extensively with a rival tribe, the Qajars.

Qajar Dynasty

1795 --After Karim Khan Zand's death in 1779, Aqa Mohammad Khan Qajar gradually vanquished the Zands and established the Qajar dynasty. He succeeded in reuniting the country. But he was a brutal and generally weak and corrupt ruler. The economic and military gap between Iran and the West widened considerably under their reign. England in thirst of expanding her colonialism from India to Iran; especially in light of the Industrial Revolution that was taking place in the West, she influenced Qajar rulers. Although Qajar period enjoyed a high degree of artistic excellence, producing some of Iran's finest paintings, tile-works and architectural monuments, but subsequently lost control of major part of the country and surrendered it to the strangers.

1813 - 1828 --Qajar weakness resulted in English and Russian penetration in Iranian affairs. The Qajars lost the Caucasus (present day Georgia, Armenia and part of Azerbaijan to the north of Aras River) to the Russians in two separate treaties: the Gulistan in 1813 and the Turkmanchay in 1828. As a result of the 1828 treaty, the Qajars were forced to enact the "Capitulation" law, exempting all foreign citizens from Iranian jurisdiction. This law deeply humiliated the Iranian people.

1848--Mirza Taghi Khan Amir Kabir was the young prince Nasser-e-Din's advisor and constable. With the death of Mohammad Shah in 1848, Mirza Taqi was largely responsible for ensuring the crown prince's succession to the throne. When Nasser-e-Din succeeded to the throne, Amir Nezam was awarded the position of prime minister and the title of Amir Kabir, the Great Ruler. Amir Kabir, tried to introduce many reform initiatives but was assassinated by his corrupt enemies within the court, ­a fate shared by an earlier reform-minded prime minister of the Qajars. One of the greatest achievements of Amir Kabir was the building of Dar ol Fonoon, the first modern university in Persia and the Middle East. Dar-ol-Fonoon was established for training a new cadre of administrators and acquainting them with Western techniques. Amir Kabir ordered the school to be built on the edge of the city so that it could be expanded as needed.

1851-1906 --Following a conspiracy played between Russians and England the corrupt Qajars lost central Asian provinces to the Russians and were forced to give up all claims on Afghanistan to the British. These two powers dominated Iran's trade and manipulated its internal politics. The Qajars and influential members of their court were bribed to sell many valuable concessions to the British, such as the oil and Tobacco Concessions.

1906 -- Qajar's deep corruption and mismanagement led to the Constitutional Revolution and the establishment of Iran's first parliament or Majles. Britons helped clergies pushing for Constitutional Revolution in order to keep Russians out of Iran's internal affairs. The constitutional aspirations for a limited monarchy were never to be fully realized. Although Iran never became an actual colony of imperial powers, in 1907 it was divided into two spheres of influence. The north was controlled by Russia and the south and the east by Britain. By the end of WW I, Iran plunged into a state of political, social and economic chaos.


Pahlavi Dynasty

-1921Reza Khan, an officer in the Qajar army, who was called to Capital to keep law and order, following removal of some British personnel, he unexpectedly staged a coup. Initially the minister of war and then the prime minister. His plan was to establish a republic but under tremendous force by clergies and influenced high class in fear of diminished role in the new concept; in 1925 Reza Khan became the Shah himself.

1925-1941 --In 16 years Reza Shah Pahlavi turned Iran around 180 degree, from a bankrupt economy to an industrial one, because his first priority was to strengthen the authority of the central government by creating a disciplined standing army and restraining the autonomy of the local revolting chiefs. His passion to modernize, separate, break and diminish religion from governing power (secular reforms), establish an educational system that is distanced from religion, and a judicial system that is based on modern laws rather than clerical rules, all triggered both mullahs and Britons that had close relations with each other. Iran's first modern university, schools for females and bringing women into the work force exhibit his work as a great revolution toward emancipation and development. Iran's first industrialization program, dramatically improved infrastructure by establishing modern army, navy, air-force, building numerous roads, bridges, state-owned factories etc. could not have been achieved without Reza Shah's passion for Iran. Despite frequent bugs and annoying discussion by Mossadeghas member of Parliament, preventive and or deviating Reza Shah to a project that better suit Britons for a railroad from east to west connecting two colonies of England -Iraq&Pakistan- Iran's first Transnational railway was built by Reza Shah from North to South. In 1935, he officially requested all foreign governments to no longer refer to Iran as Persia, but as Iran. (The Iranian people themselves had always referred to their country as Iran.) Reza Shah abolished the wearing of the veil, hence liberating women, a unique gesture that no other Middle Eastern country brought forward, except for Turkey under Attaturk. Several years following the building of Rail Road, in the outbreak of WWII he chose to remain neutral, but this fell to the deaf ears of Allies who invaded Iran from north and south. This ended Reza Shah’s reign.

-- 1941Allies occupation lasted for the duration of WWII to supply Soviets with wartime materials by using Trans-Iranian Railroad. They confronted Reza Shah who was forced to abdicate in favor of his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He was promised to head for Bombay, but was taken to exile in South Africa. He died in South Africa in 1944.

 

--1946Mohammad Reza Shah refused to sign separation of our Soviet occupied Azarbaijan. Under American pressure, the Soviet Union was forced to pull out of Iran's northwestern province.

1951- 1953 -- Under influence by Britons, acting member of Parliament, Mohammad Mossadegh persuaded Iran's Majles passing a law sponsored by him (soon to be prime minister) and several friends nationalized Iran's oil favored Britons although sounded revealing from British control. The British, enraged into their oil concessions, treated as only remaining foreign entitled to such concessions, although theatrically froze all of Iran's Sterling assets and took their case to the International Court of Justice. The Court ruled in Iran's favor. The British government placed a total trade embargo on Iran and enforced it with their navy, leading to the collapse of Iran's economy. Thanks to Mossadegh, an opportunity for Iran's oil sold in a competitive market between American, Soviet Union and Britons etc., monopolized for British only. Citing the threat of a communist takeover, failed sponsored plan by British Intelligence and the CIA to topple Dr. Mossadeq's government took over by the people and national army. In the midst of the events, the young Shah, left the country. Shortly thereafter, following departure of CIA officer and release of his men to Baghdad, Dr. Mossadeq's government was overthrown by the people and army personnel and the Shah came back.

 

 1962.1963Major Land Reform, workers right, women's right to vote and other initiatives were introduced by Shah during his White Revolution. Shah's reform triggered clergies and feudal landowners. In a series of public speeches, Ayatollah Khomeini attacked these reforms. He was arrested and then sent to exile.

 

  _1973-1973Following Reza Shah’s revolutionary modernization of Iran, his son Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi brought a rapid economic growth and prosperity coupled with a relatively stable political climate into Iran, a situation that was never experienced before. Iran's infrastructure, public health and educational institutions were expanded. Massive projects of highways, railroad, underground train projects, roads, bridges, water and sewage projects, factories, schools, universities and hospitals were built. Iran's military strength grew and its international prestige was enhanced.

 

 --1973-1979The oil embargo by Arabs during Arab-Israel conflict quadrupled Iran's oil revenue. Iran under the guidance of Mohammad Reza Shah, became master of OPEC. Oil Producing Countries’ wealth augmented thanks to Shah's guidance. Shah's timetable to make Iran to catch up with the West, alarmed Europeans and Oil companies. The Shah's determination to modernize Iran virtually in a shortest possible time at any cost, led to a global shock. Certain leftists in collaboration with outside organizations infiltrated key positions, masses influenced, inflation irrupted, corruption emerged, economic bottlenecks, massive urbanization, rising expectations and increasing preventive pressure on the government from outside, in addition to the social, economic and political problems started to emerge by the end of 1978. Paid opponents, of all political affiliations, united behind Ayatollah Khomeini who was chosen by Oil giants following British introduction. People's incompetence, coarse decision, ignorance of patriotism, listening to outside destructive stories broadcast by foreign radios caused the overthrow of Shah in 1979. Later, they called this chaos  “Islamic Revolution” which was conspired and played by all parties funded and guided from outside. Shah vigorously fought cancer and died in Egypt a year later. After 2,500 years of monarchy, despite forceful suggestion of clergy to change Reza Shah's decision, clerics changed Iran's government to a theocratic republic; hence, the Islamic fundamentalism