PERSIA 1865

Persia or Iran is perhaps one of the most important links in shaping the world history. Although the modern history of today's Iran started not later than the 16th century, Iran dates much older than time and has been part of several major empires. The Medians (Medike), Parthians (Parthava), Persis (Parsa) etc. are all associated with ancient Persia. But this post is about today's Iran and some interesting facts related to that period.

Today's Iran's foundation majorly took place between late 19th century and pre-WW2 period. It's interesting to look at this era's maps as a couple of names that redefined the events of future years sprung from these times. Khorassan (or Khorasan) which became a hub of ISIS activities, Fars; the origin of Parsi community in India that migrated earliest in the 7th century AD, Irak Ajami; that has the same name roots for today's Iraq (same goes with the Iranian region of Azerbaijan or Azerbijan) etc. The Gulf coast ports of Bandar Abbas (or Gombroon as known to the British), Bushire (or Abooshehr) have been important trading and historic ports; Khorramshahr and Ahvaz that became British ports in 1856 etc. became crucial events in exerting European colonial influence on Iran.

Qajar Dynasty was one of the largest ruling family in Iran in the 19th century. Ruling roughly for 140 years, the Qajar Dynasty lasted till 1979 since its formation in 1786 under Aga Mohammad Khan Qajar. During this regime Iran witnessed some key events including the formation of interim governments such as the Autonomous Government of Khorasan (1921), Republic of Mahabad (1946), autonomous regions of Azerbaijan (renamed as Azadistan; 1920-46) and Kurdistan (1945-46) and even a Soviet Republic of Gilan (1920-1921). Iran was never wholly colonized by any European power but in 1917 was divided into three spheres - Russian (north), British (west) and Neutral (central), although in 1919 the British did occupy a couple of cities like Bushire which they also made headquarter of the Persian Gulf Residency (a colonial subdivision under British India between 1763 to 1947). The Qajar dynasty also saw the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the dismantling of Ottoman Commanders in 1918.

In the 19th century major secession of Iranian territories in the Caucasus took place to the Russian Empire. The territories of Daughestan (Dagestan), Georgia, Albania*, Iberia**, Karabaugh, Shirvan and parts of Greater Armenia were lost to the Russian Empire in the Russo-Persian War (1804-1828). The map here shows Iran's boundary in 1865, decades after loss to the Russians and few years before start of the modern era transformation.

*not to be confused with the Balkan nation.

** not to be confused with the Iberian peninsula that comprises Portugal and Spain.