Territorial Integrity and Foreign Wars
While Agha Mohammad Khan’s reign was marked by military success and the reunification of Iran, his successors struggled with external threats and internal inefficiency. His nephew and successor, Fath Ali Shah Qajar (r. 1797–1834), faced a series of disastrous military campaigns against Imperial Russia in the Caucasus region, which led to the loss of significant territories.
Two major treaties, both highly unfavorable to Iran, were signed during this period:
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Treaty of Gulistan (1813): Following Iran’s defeat in the Russo-Persian War (1804–1813), this treaty ceded Georgia, Dagestan, and parts of Azerbaijan to Russia.
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Treaty of Turkmenchay (1828): After another loss in the Russo-Persian War (1826–1828), more territories—including Armenian and Azerbaijani lands—were formally surrendered to the Russian Empire.
These humiliating losses not only diminished Iran’s territorial integrity but also underscored the military weakness of the Qajar state, especially against the increasingly dominant European powers.
Naser al-Din Shah and the Longest Reign
One of the most significant rulers of the Qajar dynasty was Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, who reigned from 1848 to 1896. His long rule was characterized by modernization efforts, increasing contact with Europe, and growing domestic unrest.
Naser al-Din Shah is remembered for his visits to Europe—he was the first Iranian monarch to do so—and his admiration for Western technology and culture. Under his rule, Iran saw the introduction of the telegraph, railroads, and modern education. However, his reign was also marked by growing foreign influence, particularly from Britain and Russia, who vied for control of Iranian resources and politics in what became known as the “Great Game.”