Qajar dynasty

The Qajar dynasty was the ruling family of Persia from 1796 to 1925.

Related Topics:
Persia - 1796 - 1925

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The dynasty was founded in 1796 by Agha Muhammad Khan, of Iranian Turkmen origin, who defeated the last ruler of the Zand dynasty but was himself assassinated only a year later. During the Qajar period Persia fell under the economic sway of European empires with the British and Russian Empires each creating a sphere of influence in Persia. Under the rule of Fath Ali Shah, Persia was forced to cede its northern part of Azerbaijan and lesser Caucasia to Russia, while the British later took effective control of the south with its rich oil deposits.

Related Topics:
1796 - Agha Muhammad Khan - Turkmen - Zand dynasty - Europe - British - Russian Empire - Sphere of influence - Fath Ali Shah - Azerbaijan - Caucasia - Russia - British - Oil

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The Qajar Shahs made several attempts at modernization during the 19th century and the start of the 20th century, with a constitution and parliament being established in 1906. This was a controversial development; Mohammad Ali Shah was deposed in 1909 for attacking the constitution established under his predecessor.

Related Topics:
Modernization - 19th century - 20th century - 1906 - Mohammad Ali Shah - 1909

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In 1917 British troops invaded Russia from Persia in a bid to oppose the Russian Revolution. During this "war of intervention" a Persian military officer, Reza Pahlavi, staged a coup d'état with British support which reduced the last Qajar ruler, Ahmad Shah, to figurehead status. Pahlavi deposed the Shah in 1925, declaring himself the new Shah and establishing his own dynasty.

Related Topics:
1917 - Russian Revolution - Reza Pahlavi - Ahmad Shah - 1925 - Shah

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The ruling members of the Qajar dynasty were:

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• Agha Muhammad Khan (1796-1797)
• Fath Ali Shah (1797-1834)
• Mohammad Shah Qajar (1834-1848)
• Nasser-al-Din Shah (1848-1896)
• Mozzafar-al-Din Shah (1896-1907)
• Mohammad Ali Shah (1907-1909)
• Ahmad Shah Qajar (1909-1925)

The Heir Presumptive of the deposed house:

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• Mohammad Hassan Mirza (1930-1943)
• Fereydoun Mirza (1943-1975)
• Hamid Mirza (1975-1988)
• Mohammad Hassan Mirza II (Since 1988 Potential Heir to the Qajar (Kadjar) Throne)
 
Qajar dynasty: See also ►