Mostowfi ol-Mamalek
 |
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2011) |
Mostowfi ol-Mamalek | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Prime Minister of Iran | |
| In office 15 July 1910 – 19 July 1911 | |
| Monarch | Ahmad Shah Qajar |
| Preceded by | Vosough od-Dowleh |
| Succeeded by | Vosough od-Dowleh |
| In office 1 July 1914 – 1 February 1915 | |
| Monarch | Ahmad Shah Qajar |
| Preceded by | Mirza Mohammed Ali Khan |
| Succeeded by | Abdol-Hossein Mirza Farmanfarma |
| In office 18 August 1915 – 25 December 1915 | |
| Monarch | Ahmad Shah Qajar |
| Preceded by | Abdol Majid Mirza |
| Succeeded by | Abdol-Hossein Mirza Farmanfarma |
| In office 7 July 1917 – 19 December 1917 | |
| Monarch | Ahmad Shah Qajar |
| Preceded by | Vosough od-Dowleh |
| Succeeded by | Abdol Majid Mirza |
| In office 30 January 1923 – 15 June 1923 | |
| Monarch | Ahmade Shah Qajar |
| Preceded by | Ahmad Qavam |
| Succeeded by | Hassan Pirnia |
| In office 13 June 1926 – 2 June 1927 | |
| Monarch | Reza Shah |
| Preceded by | Mohammad-Ali Foroughi |
| Succeeded by | Mehdi Qoli Hedayat |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 October 1874 Tehran, Iran |
| Died | 27 August 1932 Tehran, Iran |
| Resting place | Alzahra University |
| Political party | Constitutional Movement/E'tedalion Party |
| Spouse | Esmat el Molouk |
Mirza Hasan Ashtiani Mostowfi al-Mamalek (October 5, 1874 - August 27, 1932) was an Iranian Politician who served as Prime Minister of Iran on six separate occasions.
Early life
Mostowfi al-Mamalek came from an important and well-known family of high-ranking bureaucrats during the Qajar era, originally from the province of Ashtian. His father was, Mirza Yousof Mostowfi al-Mamalek, a bureaucrat of the Qajar court, Nasseraddin Shah’s grand vizier[1] and a Prime Minister. His grandfather was Mirza Hasan Mostowfi al-Mamalek I and was given the title of Mostofi al Mamalek under Mohammad Shah Qajar.[2][3]
One year before his father's death, Nasereddin Shah granted the title Mostowfi ol-Mamalek ("chief financier of the country") to the very young, Hasan.[4][2][1] When the nobility started to ridicule Hasan for being given such an important job/title at such young age, Nasereddin Shah, convinced of the young boy's talents, added the title "Aaqaa" (Sir) to Hasan's titles, thereby obliging the nobility to call him "Sir" every time they addressed him. He was since frequently referred to simply as "Aaqaa" in political circles. However there is a source that suggests that it was his generosity that earned him the title “Aaqaa”, rather than it being bestowed upon him.[1]
His education began at the age of five under tutelage of Mahmud Khan Malekalshoara. He studied all customary subjects such as Arabic grammar and literature, but he also had a good command of the French language.[1]
In 1885, subsequent to his father’s death, he undertook all his responsibilities under Mossaddeq’s father, Mirza Hedayatollah Vizier daftar’s supervision.[1]
At the age of 18, he married Nasr-ol-Din Shah’s granddaughter, Khanom Esmat el Molouk, and became a member of the royal family.[2]
Education in Paris
After a series of disgreements with the newly instated Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, Mostowfi al-Mamalek travelled to Paris for his higher education, and soon climbed his way up the political ladder in Iran. During this period he visited many European countries and observed their systems of government.[2] During his trips to Europe, Mozaffar ad-Din Shah gave him multiple invitations to return to Iran, however he declined. In the year 1907, after the Persian Constitutional Revolution and the death of Mozzafar ad-Din Shah, Mostowfi al-Mamalek returned to Iran accompanied by Ali Asghar Khan, who had just been appointed Prime Minister of Iran by Mohammad Ali Shah [2] Soon after his return he set up a humanitarian society[1], Jameeyate Ensaniat, with Mohammad Mossadegh as his deputy.
Political career
During the Persian Constitutional Revolution era, Mostowfi was appointed Minister 15 times, and Prime Minister 6 times. This was impart due to the political turmoil in Iran at the time which often saw governments only last several months before being replaced.
Mostowfi has been considered as one of the most popular Iranian politicians of the 20th Century.[5] Like his father, Mostowfi carried himself as a gentleman and was considered kind, honest, steadfast, humble and generous.[6][2]During his service to Iran Mostowfi stood up to British and Russian influence in Iran, especially during World War I, giving credence to his reputation as a person on character and integrity. [7] It has been noted that, unlike some of his contemporaries, Mostowfi was patriotic and did not engage with foreign powers in order to preserve or boost his own financial or political standings.[8]
Sometime after his return to Iran Mostowfi became the minister of war, until the bombardment of Majlis. Following the conquest of Tehran, first he was appointed the minister of finance in Sepahdar Azam’s cabinet and then became the minister of Ahmad Shah’s court. Following to the resignation of Sepadar’s first cabinet, he became Ahmad Shah’s prime minister.[1]
At various points in his career he held the positions of prime minister, minister of war, majlis member and minister without portfolio.[1]
Sources disagree on his allegiances for foreign powers with some claiming he was a Russophile and others stating he favoured the Germans and Turks.
Prime minister
The First Term
Mostowfi’s first term as Prime Minister of Persia began in July 1910 during the 2nd Majlis. His party, Melliyoun Democrats, were mostly young, well educated and had traveled to Europe. They were in favour of the separation of church and state; taxing the landowners and businesses; adopting compulsory national service and borrowing internally instead of internationally. Mostowfi’s cabinet, backed by the Democrats, was known as the “Young Peoples’ Cabinet”.
During his first term Mostowfi faced the issue of security in Iran. Multiple assassinations of political and religious figures occurred. Mostowfi decided to stop these assassinations. Via the Shah an order to disarm was declared. Some forces ignored the order, including Sattar Khan [9] and the government used the newly appointed Tehran police chief, Yeprem Khan[10] to exercise the order. With this Mostowfi proved he was able to make tough decisions when necessary.[2]
During his term in office the government received a letter from the British and Russian Ministers in Tehran complaining about the lack of security on the road between Bushehr- Shiraz- Isfahan. The British stated that the Irainan government had three months to rectify the problem. If they failed they would bring in 1500 Indian soldiers under British command to safeguard the route.[2] Mostowfi’s government responded by creating the Swedish Gendarmerie, seeing this as a way to keep Iran independent of British involvement in internal security.
With the death of the Regent in September 1910 Parliament was convened to elect the next Regent. The candidates were Mostowfi and Mirza Abolghasem Khan Naser ol Molk. Mostowfi lost the election.
The Second Term
Mostowfi’s second appointment as Prime Minister coincided with the onset of World War I. Iran had declared neutrality in the war[11] and the country further reinforced its neutral stance by appointing Mostowfi, who was known to support neutrality.[12] However, his government leaned towards the German and the Turks. It is important to note that being pro-German in this regard was simply seen as a political move to support a third nation that may aid in curbing the influence of the British and Russians in Iran.[13]
Mostowfi was also elected as MP for Tehran, but resigned in order to become Prime Minister.[2] His manifesto included several concepts that the Third Majlis passed including laws such as the Military Conscription Act, Ministry of Finance constitution bill and Real Estate tax law.[2][11]
The Third Term
During the Third Majlis the Czarist Russian Army expeditionary force left Qazvin for Tehran.[11] With Russian troops in the capital the government began to move to Qom in order to form a government free of British and Russian Influence. It was at this time that Mostowfi recommend that his deputies and the Shah to also go to Qom. The Shah had initially agreed but had his mind changed by the Russian and British Ministers in Tehran. With this change in mindset any chance of forming an independent government was gone.[14]
The Fourth Term
Mostowfi’s fourth term of office as Prime Minister was marked by severe drought and famine that devastated the country. By some accounts 25% of those living in the North perished.[15] This was accompanied by the Persian influenza epidemic of 1918 which was rapid and devastating.[16]
The Fifth Term
Mostowfi’s fifth term began in January 1923. The First World War was over and the Russian Revolution was well established. Reza Khan who was then called Sardar Sepah had the post of Minister of War in Mostowfi’s cabinet.
One of his most formidable opponents in politics at the time was Hassan Modarres who made numerous efforts to pull down Mostowfi's cabinet.
Mostowfi's cabinet finally collapsed under pressure from political opponents despite the full backing of Ahmad Shah Qajar. During the run-up to the elections for the 5th Majlis, Modarres and his followers in the Parliament were actively campaigning against Mostowfi's cabinet. They tabled a formal question to the government, which was customarily followed by a vote of confidence. The ministers answered the questions convincingly. Mostowfi, who was not used to this kind of street politics, was said to be angry and disappointed. He delivered his most famous speech to Parliament, blaming members of Parliament for “giving and taking ajil (dried nuts), which in Persian means giving and taking bribes. He is believed to have said, “I have problems with my digestive system, and I do not take or give any ajil”.
He was the first Prime Minister to call Parliamentarians corrupt instead of cajoling and flattering them. He and his ministers left the Parliament, went straight to the Shah and resigned.
Hassan Modarres went on to abolition of the 1919 accord between Iran and the Great Britain.[11]
The Sixth Term
Despite his opposition to Mostowfi, Modarres was part of the party that encouraged Mostowfi to take his sixth term as Prime Minister. Reza Shah had been elected Shah and crowned. In order to legitimize his rule he needed a Prime Minister who had the confidence of the politicians and the general public, so he chose Mostowfi. Modarres believed that Mostowfi was one of the few people who might curb the excesses of the new Shah and his generals.
Mostowfi’s sixth began in June 1926. During this term of office a number of important actions were taken, the most important event during this period had been the abolition of Capitulation on May 9th, 1927.[11] This would be the last major event that Mostowfi would be part of and this would be his last post. At the end of May 1927, Mostowfi resigned from office and from political life.
The Society for National Heritage
The Society for National Heritage was formed in 1921 with the aim to preserve, protect and promote "Iran's patrimony".[17] The society was formed by modernist government officials and Westernized intellectuals, and Mostowfi was among them. [18]
Death and Legacy
Mirza Hassan Mostowfi al Mamalek died of a heart attack on the 28th August 1932. He was buried in the family mausoleum in Vanak village. The funeral procession was marked by the Armenian residents of Vanak carrying the coffin for a mile to the Mausoleum, followed by a procession of 80 or more cars. The mausoleum is currently on the grounds of Alzahra University .
His descendants now bear the surname "Mostofi al-Mamaleki", "Mostowfi", " Tahriri", "Dabiri".
Hassan Abad Square
The square and the buildings around it were built in a ten-year period. Hassan Abad was built by Mirza Yousof Mostowfi al-Mamalek, Naser ed-Din Shah's vizier. He named the place after his son Mirza Hassan Mostofi al-Mamalek. It was inspired by the Renaissance architecture, and adapted from the works of Palladio, the famous Italian architect of the Renaissance period. [19]
Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the square was renamed to "31st of Shahrivar Square", however the new name did not stick and it is still known as the "Hassan Abad Square".
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Einollahzadeh, Soheila. "Statesman: Mirza Hassan Khan Mostofialmamalek". Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bakhtiar, Salar (24 November 2004). "THE LIFE OF MIRZA HASSAN KHAN, MOSTOFI AL MAMALEK" (PDF). Retrieved 20 August 2011.
- ^ Mehdi Bamdad, DICTIONARY OF THE NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY OF IRAN TWELTH, THIRTEENTH AND FOURTEENTH CENTURIES, Vol.1, pp.318-312.
- ^ ʻAbd Allāh Mustawfī, IThe administrative and social history of the Qajar period: the story of my life (Mazda Publishers, 1997: ISBN 1568590415, 9781568590417), p. 124.
- ^ Cyrus Ghani, Iran and the Rise of the Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power (I.B.Tauris, 2001: ISBN 1860646298, 9781860646294), p. 17.
- ^ Cyrus Ghani, Iran and the Rise of the Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power (I.B.Tauris, 2001: ISBN 1860646298, 9781860646294), p. 17.
- ^ Cyrus Ghani, Iran and the Rise of the Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power (I.B.Tauris, 2001: ISBN 1860646298, 9781860646294), p. 17.
- ^ Cosroe Chaquèri, Beginning politics : the reproductive cycle of children's tales and games in Iran: a historical inquiry (IMazdazk, 1996: ISBN 10773492283), p. 180.
- ^ Ervand Abrahamian. Khomeinism: Essays on the Islamic Republic, I.B. Tauris, 1993, ISBN 1-85043-779-3, p. 93
- ^ Ervand Abrahamian. Iran between two revolutions, Princeton University Press, 1982, ISBN 0-691-10134-5, p. 99
- ^ a b c d e "History of Iran: Constitutional Revolution". Retrieved 17 November 2012.
- ^ Joseph J. St. Marie, Shahdad Naghshpour, Iran Revolutionary Iran and the United States: Low-Intensity Conflict in the Persian Gulf (IAshgate Publishing, Ltd., 2011: ISBN 0754676706, 9780754676706), p. 59.
- ^ Cyrus Ghani, Iran and the Rise of the Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power (I.B.Tauris, 2001: ISBN 1860646298, 9781860646294), p. 20.
- ^ Cyrus Ghani, Iran and the Rise of the Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power (I.B.Tauris, 2001: ISBN 1860646298, 9781860646294), p. 17.
- ^ Global Connections . Timeline
- ^ George C. Kohn, Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence (Infobase Publishing, 2007: ISBN 1438129238, 9781438129235), p. 299.
- ^ Talinn Grigor, '2004. "Recultivating "Good Taste": The Early Pahlavi Modernists and Their Society for National Heritage." In Iranian Studies v. 37, n. 1, 17
- ^ Hamid Naficy, A Social History of Iranian Cinema, Volume 1: The Artisanal Era, 1897–1941 (Duke University Press, 2011: ISBN 082234775X, 9780822347750), p. 142.
- ^ Qalibaf, Mohammad-Baqer (unkown). "OLD AND IMPORTANT ROUNDABOUTS". Retrieved 16 November 2012.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
- Iran in the last 3 Centuries by Alireza Avsati. Published Tehran, 2003. Vol1 ISBN 964-93406-6-1 Vol2 ISBN 964-93406-5-3
