These proposals mark a dramatic departure from the linguistic and administrative norms of contemporary Iran. Persian (Farsi) has been the official language of Iranian administration and literature for centuries. While Turkish dialects—particularly Azerbaijani Turkish—are widely spoken in northwestern Iran, including in Tabriz, the state’s linguistic identity has historically centered on Persian.
The suggestion of adopting Latin script echoes reforms undertaken in the early 20th century by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Turkey. Atatürk’s language reform replaced Ottoman Turkish’s Arabic script with a Latin alphabet in 1928, a move intended to modernize the republic and increase literacy.
Babak Qajar has reportedly expressed admiration for Atatürk, praising him on social media. This admiration appears consistent with his proposals for linguistic and script reform, aligning his hypothetical Qajar restoration with elements of Turkish republican modernization—an intriguing juxtaposition, given that Atatürk abolished the Ottoman monarchy.
The Symbolism of Tabriz
The idea of restoring Tabriz as a capital carries historical symbolism. During the Qajar era, Tabriz often functioned as the residence of the crown prince and held strategic importance due to its proximity to the Caucasus and the Ottoman Empire. The city played a significant role in the Constitutional Revolution and remains culturally and economically important.
However, Tehran has served as Iran’s capital since the late 18th century. Proposals to shift the capital reflect broader debates about regional identity, ethnic diversity, and decentralization within Iran.
