Sattar Khan

Key character at the time of the constitutional Revolution of Iran, Sattar Khan (1868 - November 9th 1914) was born with Tabriz (more precisely in Janali), in the Iranian Azerbaïdjan. He was a key character of the revolution, with the head of the revolutionists in Azerbaïdjan, the Gilan and Bakhtiari having gone on Teheran in order to protest against the abolition of the new constitution by Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar.

Amateur of the national sport, the Varzesh-e Pahlavani (fight), Sattar was the Louti (literally, “hooligan”, this word indicates here the chevalresque behavior of that which collects money near the fortunate ones and distributes it to poorest) district Amir-Khize de Tabriz. Excel gunner, it will belong to the team which accompanies the crown prince Mozaffar Mirza at her meetings to hunting. It receives from this prince the title of Khan . After the bombardment of the assembly ( Majles ) by the troops ordered by the Russian general Liakhov, and on order of Mohammad-Ali Shah, Sattar Khan joined the rows of the Mojahed (“combatants”). The governor of Azerbaïjan, Eyn-ED-doleh, sends the army to subdue the rebellion of Tabriz. Resistance is organized under the command of Sattar Khan and another popular hero, Bagher Khan. The governmental forces crush the forces of the Mojahed . The Consul of Russia tries to bring back the calm one and proposes in Sattar Khan to accept the peace suggested by the governor of Azerbaïjan and in order to be safe from any attack of the governmental forces to hoist the Russian flag on the roof of his house. The answer of Sattar Khan which is encircled in its general headquarter of Amir-Khize is clear: “Or, we will break the head office of Amir-Khize and we will hoist the flag of freedom in Teheran, or we will die in our trenches, but in any case, as long as I am in life it will never have there a foreign flag with Amir-Khize”. 3 days the final combat of Mojaheds against the governmental troops finishes by the release of Tabriz. The Troops of Sattar Khan, joined by those of Sepahsalar, enter victoriously to Teheran and the constitution is restored after the escape of Mohammad-Ali Shah to the embassy of Russia and the transfer of the capacities to his/her son Ahmad Shah.

As a sign of recognition, the 2nd Majles (the Iranian National Assembly) grants the title of Sardar-e Melli (“Commander or national hero”) Sattar Khan and that of Salar-e Melli (Chief, Commander, National hero) in Bagher Khan. These 2 characters are the only personalities to have received these titles.

Following these efforts, the constitution is restored, and Mohammad Ali Shah is deposited. With its return to Tabriz, Sattar Khan is treated as a national hero. It is wounded with died by Yeprem Khan, a commander of the army who was also active in the constitutional movement, but on the side of the government in order to disarm the revolutionists of Teheran.

Sources

Mostafa Alamouti, Namdaran-e Moasser-e Iran , vol. 2, Book Near, London, February 1999
Ahmad Kasravi, Tarikh-e Mashroutiyat-e Iran , Amir Kabir Publishing, 18th edition, ISBN964-00-0081-7

See too

Random links: