118. Iran's First Revolution

This episode of the "Empire" podcast interviews Professor Ali Ansari about Iranian history, focusing on the period from the early 20th century to the Iranian Revolution. The discussion begins with the context of the Qajar dynasty, the brutal reign of Agha Muhammad Shah, and the subsequent rise of Fath Ali Shah. It then moves to the Tobacco Concession, the Constitutional Revolution of 1906, and the role of Britain in these events, highlighting the British Embassy's involvement in sheltering revolutionaries. Finally, the podcast covers Reza Shah Pahlavi's rise to power, emphasizing his self-made background and the adoption of the Pahlavi dynasty name. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between internal Iranian politics and external colonial influences shaping the nation's history.