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Heidi A. Walcher:
This paper examines the interdependence of political reform and military modernization in 19th century Iran. It will explore political and cultural questions of military power, political image, modernization, and royal authority on the background of traditional Qajar notions of state and conquest.
Stand 28. Februar 2001
Creating a New Order: Repercussions of Military Modernization and Militarism in 191h Century Iran
Defeated in the Perso-Russian wars in 1813 and 1828 and again by Britain in 1857, the continuing territorial claims of the Ottoman Empire, the persevering transgressions of the Turcomans, the southem tribes' shaky political loyalty as well as the increasing interference of Russia and Britain generated a tenacious apprehension about military effectiveness and security, and sharpened the need for a well-trained military force.In this context the reorganization of the Qajar military, attempts of modernizing equipment and training methods constituted one of the chief elements of political and administrative reforms during Nasir al-Din Shah's rule [1848-1896]. In pursuit of improving the central government's control, military concerns turned into the principal catalyst for political, administrative and educational reforms, for which the creation of the polytechnic academy Dar al-Funun in 1852 is.one prominent example. The recruitment of Austrian, British, Russian and Prussian officers for the reform of the Persian army according to European models introduced elements of modem European militarism, which on technological grounds introduced innovations, but also re- affirmed traditional Persian notions of tribal militarism, conquest and expansion. Nineteenth centUIy Iran was embroiled in a constant preoccupation with military matters, which bears out a tenacious and striking paradox between the abiding weakness of the Qajar military and the constant preoccupation with its improvement and invested monies.
The implementation of modernization remained most often ineffective and in stark contrast to concrete improvements of the dar al-harb. An essential part of this question is the military politics of the Zill al-Sultan, eldest son of Nasir al-Din Shah and governor of Isfahan [1874-1907]. By the mid 1880's, after systematic recruitment of officers and years of arms purchases from Britain. Austria, Germany as well as the US, the Zill al-Sultan had established a widely acclaimed, powerful military force under his control, which in many respects surpassed the central government's troops in equipment, training, discipline and capability.
While touting himself as reformer the Zill al-Sultan showed very explicit proclivities for 19th century European militarism. His army was one of the most successful examples of Qajar military reform, to the uneasiness of the royal court, who increasingly perceived him as threat. His case distinctly demonstrates the mechanism in the circle of successful implementation, political power, social effects and reasons for collapse.
Notions of conquest and military power touched the very foundation of the Qajar state. They shaped the cultural, political and territorial self-perception with consequential repercussions on society at large. Albeit positioned at the core of modernization. aspects of the Qajar military have received very little attention and remain under-studied to the point that leading encyclopaedic publications in the field of lranian Studies omit the 19th century military altogether.
This paper endeavors the exploration of new grounds regarding the function and impact of military issues and the prerogatives of power and modernization in late 19th century Persia. Besides published materials such as Persian and European memoirs, newspapers and historical writings the research of this paper draws from sources of lranian archives, British Foreign Office documents, as well as primary sources from Austrian and Geman archives.