Historical Roots of Parliamentary Tradition in Iran
The concept of collective consultation and decision-making is not new in Iranian history. One of the earliest known forms of a parliamentary institution in Iran dates back to the Parthian period. During this era, an assembly known as the Mahestan existed, composed of elders, nobles, and influential figures. While far from a modern democratic parliament, the Mahestan reflected an early recognition of the importance of collective counsel in governance. Kings often relied on this body for advice on major political and military decisions, demonstrating that absolute rule was, even then, tempered by elite consultation.
In later centuries, particularly during the Islamic and medieval periods, consultative practices continued in various forms. Councils of scholars, tribal leaders, and court officials played advisory roles, though these bodies lacked independence and formal legislative authority. Power largely remained centralized in the hands of monarchs and dynasties, with consultation serving more as a tool of legitimacy than as a binding political process.
