Deposed Shah of Persia Returns to Reclaim Throne with Russian Aid

Shah Qajar of Iran

July 18, 1911:  Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar, the deposed Shah of Persia, landed at the Caspian Sea port of Astarabad (present day Gorgan, Iran) with an army in an attempt to regain the throne that he had lost in 1909. Apparently disguised, and carrying a fake passport, the Shah escaped to Persia with Russian-supplied guns, cannons and munitions, and Austrian cannons procured on a trip to Vienna, that had been packed in crates labeled "mineral water"^[1].

The Shah, based on an agreement between Russia and England, lived in exile in Odessa in Russia, after abdicating his throne to his 12 year old son. He had wanted to rescind the recently established Persian Constitution, and a civil war ensued, in 1909, between the constitutionalists and monarchists.  Russia had agreed to prevent the Shah from participating in political and other activities which could weaken the newly established monarchy and constitutional government. In exchange, the shah would receive an annual stipend of $82,500 ($2 million, today). Russian and England would have spheres of influence in Persia, as a result of the agreement, with Russian influence in the Northern part of the country, and England in the south, with the central part of the country under autonomous rule.

Upon landing, the Shah's brother and advisers, contacted loyal supporters and tribesmen, to march on Tehran and reclaim the throne.

Persia would be at the crossroads of World War One, with mixed allegiances and occupying forces in all parts of the country. Of particular interest are the newly developed oil fields.