He sought to centralize authority by asserting control over provincial governors and limiting their capacity for corruption. He restructured tax collection, aiming to reduce exploitation of peasants and ensure revenues reached the central treasury. His insistence on financial discipline extended even to the royal household, a move that earned him both admiration and resentment.
Amir Kabir’s vision of governance emphasized competence over lineage. He dismissed incompetent officials and promoted capable administrators regardless of aristocratic background. Such actions threatened entrenched elites and intensified opposition within the court.
Military Modernization
Recognizing the vulnerability of Iran’s armed forces, Amir Kabir prioritized military reform. The humiliating defeats of earlier decades, particularly against Russia, had exposed the state’s weaknesses. He reorganized regiments, standardized training, and sought to improve discipline.
