History Through Today’s Lens: Reza Shah Pahlavi — From His Coronation Day At Golestan Palace To His Luxurious Residence In The Heart Of The Forests Of Mauritius Island.

Reza Pahlavi, founder of the Pahlavi regime (1925–1941), was born in 1877 in Alasht, Savadkuh. Deprived of formal education, he joined the Cossack Brigade at the age of fifteen and gradually rose through the ranks to become its commander. On February 21, 1921, with the help of Seyyed Ziaeddin Tabataba’i, he staged a coup and occupied Tehran. He was given the title Sardar Sepah (Commander of the Army), became Minister of War in Seyyed Zia’s cabinet, and later was appointed Prime Minister.

During this time, Reza Pahlavi proposed the idea of establishing a republic, which failed. However, in November 1925, with the support of the parliament, he abolished the Qajar dynasty and was declared the king of Iran. Initially, he made promises to gain the support of the religious scholars and clerics, but soon disregarded those pledges. Not only did he have prominent clerics like Seyyed Hassan Modarres killed, but he also eliminated former allies.

Heavily influenced by Atatürk, Reza Shah undertook reforms in opposition to Islamic teachings and the wishes of the religious establishment. These included enforcing a uniform dress code, mandating the unveiling of women, and banning the chador, which led to bloody confrontations such as the massacre at the Goharshad Mosque.

Among his notable achievements were the formation of a national army, the construction of a railway system, the establishment of the National Bank of Iran, the founding of Iran’s first national radio service, and the establishment of a university.

Imam Khomeini often spoke about the hardships and bitterness of Reza Shah’s era, accusing him of betrayal and atrocities, including the assassination of Modarres, and asserted that his ultimate goal was to destroy Islam.

In 1941, Iran was occupied by the Allied forces, and Reza Shah abdicated and went into exile. He died in South Africa in 1944.