Historical Studies

Historical Studies

The Actions and Challenges of Zanjan Rulers in the Qajar Era; Case Study and Adaptation of Ehtesham al-Saltaneh and VazirHomayun

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Hasan Rostami 1
Masoud Bayat 2
1 PhD in post-Islamic Iranian History, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Humanities, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran
10.30465/hcs.2024.46546.2849
Abstract
Abstract
Khamseh province with central Zanjan was important in the Qajar era, and prominent rulers were often sent to the area. Early in the Qajar period, Prince Abdullah Dara left a relatively acceptable carnage with the construction of new buildings. In the era of Nasseri and Mozaffari, the respectively of Ehtesham al-Saltaneh and VazirHomayun, reached the rule of Zanjan, which, according to documents, newspapers and memoirs, was noticed and admired by most of the region's rulers .Given the structure and situation of Zanjan society, government problems such as the power and influence of important clans, insecurity and unstable and the crisis of the cereal were the constant issues of the rulers and the people. So by examining and adapting the performance and obstacles of the rulers in question, we will ask what was the approach of the Ehtesham al- Saltaneh and VazirHomayun against the indicators mentioned above? And what happened to? Due to the tyranny of the Nasseri era, it seems that the effort of Ehtesham al-saltaneh was in close proximity to traditional groups, changing urban fabric and prosperity of local industries, In contrast, the VazirHomyun, while being close to modernist groups, created new educational institutions to repel and control the cereal crisis. The actions of the VazirHomyun, with the power of traditional groups, were relatively successful and were destroyed by the culture of newspaper and reading; But the efforts of the Ehtesham al-Saltaneh in the creation of urban spaces and the prosperity of the local industries have remained to this day. The present article deals with the collection of library, documents and the use of original sources such as the newspaper, in a descriptive-analytical way.
Keywords: Ehtesham Al-Saltaneh, Vazir Humayun, New Institutions, Influential Ones, Miscreants, Bread.
 
Introduction
Zanjan, positioned between the significant cities of Tehran and Tabriz and enriched by the presence of prominent figures and important scholars, has consistently held a distinguished status within the Qajar court. The dispatch of courtiers and high-ranking officials for governance underscored this prestige and position. In this region, the rulers faced various obstacles and challenges due to the structure and condition of society. Following the Babi war, Zanjan was left in a semi-ruined state, with its inhabitants enduring poverty and hardship. The existence of influential families from the landowning and scholarly classes, as well as the presence of powerful tribal groups, continually challenged the authority and legitimacy of any ruler. It is evident that key figures frequently held vast estates, while some lower-class groups, who ran bakeries, posed significant barriers to the actions of rulers during the grain crises. Furthermore, the presence of various groups within the Zanjan military, typically led by local chieftains, undermined the power and influence of the government. Despite Zanjan’s prominent position among surrounding areas, modernity encountered resistance from traditionalist scholars and the Qajar state. Consequently, most of the population remained obedient to and influenced by powerful factions, and this situation persisted with varying degrees of intensity until the end of the Qajar era.
Among the rulers of Zanjan during the Qajar period, based on documents, newspapers, books, and popular accounts, the governance of Ehteshameh-al-Saltaneh and VazirHomayoun was marked by significant and diverse actions, which continue to receive attention and admiration to this day. It is worth noting that no research has been conducted on their years of rule, and Ehtesham-al-Saltaneh’s memoirs contain ambiguities regarding the reasons, methods, and outcomes of his governance. Therefore, by examining and comparing the performance and obstacles faced by these rulers, this study seeks to address the question: What were the approaches of Ehtesham-al-Saltaneh and VazirHomayoun regarding the aforementioned indicators, and what were their eventual outcomes?
 
Materials & Methods
The present study employs a descriptive-analytical methodology, drawing upon library resources (including books and scholarly articles), documents from governmental and private organizations, as well as primary sources such as newspapers and periodicals from the Qajar era.
 
Discussion and Result
Mirza Mahmoud Khan Ehtesham al-Saltaneh and Mirza Mehdi Khan VazirHomayoun served as governors of the Province Khamseh (Zanjan) during the Naseri and Mozaffari eras respectively, assuming significant roles. Ehtesham al-Saltaneh, amid the authoritarianism of the Naseri period, endeavored to establish modern schools and institutions, resulting in the construction of governmental buildings and the standardization of military uniforms, among other achievements. In contrast, VazirHomayoun, leveraging the relatively liberal climate of the Mozaffari era and collaborating with Zanjan’s elites, successfully founded new schools. Both rulers prevented prominent Zanjan factions from interfering in governance or exacerbating instability. Their security measures included combating bandits and establishing relative stability in Zanjan and its surrounding regions. During nationwide grain shortages, Ehtesham al-Saltaneh managed to supply grain despite formidable challenges, responding to demands from Tehran. Similar obstacles persisted internally in Khamseh during VazirHomayoun tenure, who exerted considerable effort to curb price inflation and regulate bread costs by confronting landowners and hoarders. Notably, given the economic and social structures of the Qajar era, both governors faced systemic challenges: corruption within the Qajar bureaucracy, administrative and political backwardness, governmental autocracy, and resistance from local elites—all of which shaped their governance.
 
Conclusion
Given the shared needs and challenges confronting Zanjan’s society and government, its governors adopted divergent approaches. During the era of Naseri autocracy, when the Shah opposed cultural initiatives such as school construction, Ehtesham al-Saltaneh, driven by his father Ala al-Dowleh’s aspirations, not only initiated the construction of streets, leveled the market, established a pharmacy, cistern, and a new government building, but also revitalized local handicrafts. He cultivated close ties with certain traditional factions (Molla Qorbanali and the Imam-Jomeh) while opposing urban families aligned with modernist trends. Although Ehtesham al-Saltaneh gravitated towards prominent traditional figures, he did not hesitate to punish or persecute subordinate groups associated with them. He did not encounter a major crisis regarding staple foods; however, mindful of Tehran’s bread shortages and the Qajar state’s structural weaknesses, he faced challenges related to grain shipments. The Shah and Chancellor, citing budgetary constraints and poor road infrastructure, accused him of laxity and inefficiency. This socio-political backwardness of the Qajar regime engendered numerous obstacles and difficulties. Given the government’s dependence on influential groups, Ehtesham al-Saltaneh’s efforts were ultimately thwarted by bribery and the rejection of customary offerings. In the comparatively liberal Mozaffari era, VazirHomayoun, aided by Zanjan’s progressives, established new schools. In contrast to Ehtesham al-Saltaneh, he not only fostered connections with certain urban families but also adopted a stance opposing Molla Qorbanali and the Imam-Jomeh. Beyond violating the tradition of sanctuary (bast) in Molla Qorbanali’s house, he seized control and oversight of the valuable endowments (endowment) of Zanjan’s Jameh Mosque. VazirHomayoun confronted multiple bread crises but repeatedly neutralized the strategies of landowners and bakers, restoring food prices to normal levels through astute policies. He vigorously suppressed outlaws and powerful figures, thereby establishing relative stability and security in Zanjan and its surrounding districts. The enduring legacy of Ehtesham al-Saltaneh’s efforts lies in the construction of streets, the leveling of market thoroughfares, and the revival of the city’s handicrafts. This outcome, in addition to its foundational and sustainable character, stemmed from his reliance on traditional groups. Conversely, VazirHomayoun endeavors, given his animosity towards traditional factions, faltered after his transfer from the governorship. Among VazirHomayoun initiatives, the promotion of books and newspapers was fundamental and significantly impacted events in Zanjan during the Constitutional Revolution. This action, for the first time, instigated a confrontation between progressive and traditional factions. Other policies and endeavors of VazirHomayoun lacked stability and encountered opposition from traditional groups during the constitutional movement.
The corruption inherent in the Qajar political structure, characterized by espionage and the practice of presenting gifts and offerings, affected the performance of governors such as Ehtesham al-Saltaneh. However, it appears that this influence diminished somewhat during VazirHomayoun tenure, who seemingly had fewer concerns regarding espionage and the transmission of inaccurate reports to Tehran.
Keywords
Ehtesham al-Saltanah
Vazir Humayun
New Institutions
Influential Ones
Miscreants
Bread

Subjects

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Historical Studies
Volume 16, Issue 1 - Serial Number 31
Spring and Summer 2025-2026
April 2025
Pages 121-158

  • Receive Date 25 August 2023
  • Revise Date 06 October 2024
  • Accept Date 13 October 2024