TURKISH LEADERS OF THE IRANIAN CONSTITUTION MOVEMENT: SATTAR AND BAGHER KHANS

The Iranian Constitutional movement, started in 1906 is considered to be one of the most important events in the recent history of Iran. The First Constitution, signed and put into force on December 31st 1906 by Mozaffar Al Din Shah (1896-1907) was abolished due to the bombing of the Majlis e Melli (National Assembly) on June 23rd 1908 by his son Mohammad Ali Shah (1907-1908). Thereupon, Azeri Turks who had a major role in the proclamation of the First Constitution started a struggle against Mohammed Ali Shah in Azerbaijan where they are in majority. The struggle started on July 25th 1908 between the Mujahideen of Tabriz and the armies of Muhammed Ali Shah and lasted 11 months. During this time, despite all the efforts of Mohammed Ali Shah Tabriz was besieged with the support of the Russians and mujahideens led by Sattar and Bagher Khans withdrew. Because of the disputes that had arisen among the troops of Shah some commanders went on the side of the Mujahideen and Mohammed Ali Shah was forced to withdraw his troops after declaring elections to be held on May 8th 1909 and announced the re-opening of the Majlis e Melli throughout the country. In this study, life of Azerbaijani Turks Settar and Bagher Khans who are the most important figures in the Second Constitutional Movement and their roles in the constitutional movement are discussed in detail in the light of the British archival documents and Persian and Turkish sources.