The Impact of the Russo-Iranian War of 1826–1828

on the Struggle for Power in Iran: A Historical Study

Abstract

   After relations between Russia and Iran deteriorated following Iran’s refusal to implement the terms of the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813, “Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Russia and Iran,” and the Russian forces’ imposition of their control over the city of Kokja in 1825, the Iranian forces responded with a surprise attack on the Armenian city of Yerevan, The war between the two sides officially began on July 16, 1826. In the middle of 1827, Abbas Mirza, the Crown Prince and commander of the Iranian army, became convinced of the need to end the war and began negotiations with the Russians. However, his attempts failed due to the intransigence of the Russian position.

   The successive fall of Iranian cities and the fact that the capital Tehran was under threat led Abbas Mirza to request a truce with the Russians through British mediation, which ended with the signing of the Treaty of Turkmenchay on February 22, 1828, which replaced the Treaty of Gulistan, This caused Iran external and internal problems, represented by the independence of the tribal chiefs and those resentful of the rule, who seized power away from the Shah's government and the Qajar authority. Despite Abbas Mirza's ability in 1831 to eliminate those seditions, quell the unrest, and impose his control over most of the cities within two years, However, it caused a great waste of the state’s resources. After the death of Abbas Mirza on October 21, 1833, the struggle for power passed to his sons and rival brothers, especially the eldest brother, Mohammad Ali Mirza Dolatshah, which negatively affected the cohesion of the internal front and weakened its position towards the external danger surrounding it, especially the constant Russian threat to occupy its lands.