Mirza Kuchek Khan before starting the rebellion (around 1914).

Mīrzā Kūchak Khān (Persian: ميرزا كوچك خان)(common alternative spellings Kouchek, Koochek, Kuchak, Kuchek, Kouchak, Koochak) (1880 - December 2, 1921) is a national hero in modern Iranian history. He was the founder of a revolutionary movement based in the forests of Gilan in northern Iran that became known as the Jangal (Forest) movement. This uprising started in 1914 and remained active against internal and foreign enemies until 1921 when the movement was defeated. Image File history File links Photo provided by Zereshk. ... Image File history File links Photo provided by Zereshk. ... Persian (local name: FārsÄ« or PārsÄ«) is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and by minorities in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for full calendar). ... Guilan (گیلان in Persian) is one of the 30 provinces of Iran, during antique time known as part of Hyrcania, with a population of approximately 2 million and an area of 14,700 sq. ... Mirza Kuchek, the leader of the movement. ...

Early life

Kuchak Khan was born Younes, son of Mirza "Bozorg" (meaning "big" (big = Sr) in Persian), and was thus nicknamed Mirza "Kuchak" (meaning "small= Jr") in the city of Rasht in northern Iran in 1880. He studied theology (as the only available formal education at the time) to become a cleric at Jame Rasht in Rasht and later at Mahmudiyeh schools in Tehran. On the eve of the Iranian constitutional revolution as all the intelligentsia and ordinary people became more involved in politics, Mirza quit his studies to join the movement. Finally in an Imperial decree the Shah of Iran Muzaffar al-Din Shah agreed to a constitutional monarchy in August 1906. Persian (local name: Fārsī or Pārsī) is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and by minorities in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... Map of Iran and surrounding countries, showing location of Rasht Rasht ( رشت in Persian, also transcribed as Resht) is the capital of Gilan province in northwestern Iran. ... The Persian Constitutional Revolution (also Constitutional Revolution of Iran) against the despotic rule of the last Qajar Shah started in 1905 and lasted until 1911. ... One of the worlds longest-lasting monarchies, the Iranian monarchy went through many transformations over the centuries, from the days of Persia to the creation of what is now modern day Iran. ... Mozzafar-al-Din Shah (1853 - 1907) was the Shah of Persia between 1896 and 1907. ... Constitutional monarchies with representative parliamentary systems are shown in red. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

However, the ruling feudalistic society was not ready to give up on its privileges and respect the newly elected Parliament (Majlis). In June 1908 the parliament was shut down during a coup d'état ordered by the new monarch, Mohammad Ali Shah. The Russian Cossack Brigade under the command of Colonel Liakhov serving the Shah bombarded the parliament and arrested the freedom fighting people and their social leaders such as journalists and MPs. Uprisings all over the country followed in particular in Tabriz and Rasht. During the Tabriz uprising Kuchak Khan tried to join Sattar Khan's forces, but was unable to actively participate due to an illness. He was injured in the Constitutionalist war, and had to travel to Baku and Tbilisi for medical attention. Majlis (مجلس) is an Arabic term used to describe various types of formal legislative assemblies in countries with linguistic or cultural connections to Islamic countries. ... 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... A coup d’état (pronounced ), or simply coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government through unconstitutional means by a part of the state establishment — mostly replacing just the high-level figures. ... Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar (Persian: محمدعلی شاه قاجار)‎ (1872 - 1925) was the shah of Iran from January 8, 1907 to July 16, 1909. ... Tabriz City Hall, built in 1934, by Arfaol molk, with the aid of German engineers. ... A picture of Sattar Khan. ... Municipality: Baku Area: 1000 km² Altitude: -28 m Population: 2,074,300 census 2003 Population density: 1280 persons/km² Postal Code: +99450 Area code: 012 Municipality code: BA Latitude: 41° 01 52 N Longitude: 21° 20 25 E Weather types: 9 of 11 Mayor: Hajibala Abutalybov The Baku region. ... Tbilisi (Georgian თბილისი ) is the capital and largest city of the country of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura (Mtkvari) River, at . ...

After going through a period of renewed and bloody dictatorship nicknamed the Short Dictatorship (or Lesser Autocracy) finally, in July 1909 the national revolutionary forces from Gilan and central Iran (Bakhtiari tribes) were united to attack and conquer the capital Tehran. Mirza Kuchak Khan was one of the lower rank commanders of the force that invaded the capital from North (under the command of Sepahdar Aazam Mohammad Vali Khan Tonekaboni). Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Guilan (گیلان in Persian) is one of the 30 provinces of Iran, during antique time known as part of Hyrcania, with a population of approximately 2 million and an area of 14,700 sq. ... The Bakhtiari (or Bakhtiyari) are a group of southwestern Iranian people. ... Tehran (IPA: ; Persian: تهران, Middle Persian: طھران, also transliterated as Teheran or Tehrān), population (as of 2005) 7,314,000 (metropolitan: 12,151,000), and a land area of 658 square kilometers (254 sq mi), is the capital city of Iran (Persia) and the center of Tehran Province. ...

Jangal movement

Mirza Koochek Khan's last picture (1920 or 1921).

Unfortunately, given the shortcomings of the advanced social thinkers and activists of the time on one hand and the stronger establishment of the old autocracy on the other hand, again the same privileged class and their political representatives took control of the new regime. The freedom fighters were not satisfied and in fact were disarmed, in some cases using force. Meanwhile the direct and indirect manipulation of the country's internal politics by Tsarist Russians and the British added to the sufferings of the people and resulted in social unrest. Image File history File linksMetadata Mirza_portrait. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Mirza_portrait. ... Росси́йская Импе́рия, (also Imperial Russia) covers the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great into the Russian Empire stretching from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to...

It was during such tumultuous period that Mirza Kuchak Khan, in collaboration with the Society of Islamic Union, started his uprising in the northern forests (Southern Caspian). Mirza Kuchak Khan's return to Rasht was not easy since he had been expelled from Gilan by the Russian consulate for five years. His cause seems to have been a mixture of that of the newly emerging national bourgeoisie and downtrodden peasants and therefore gained momentum soon after it started. The Jangal forces (locally referred to as 'Jangalis' i.e., 'forest people' in Persian) defeated the local governmental and Russian troops which added to their reputation as potential saviors of the ideas of the constitutional revolution. Alborz Mountains Mount Damavand, Irans tallest mountain is located in Alborz mountain range. ...

On June 12, 1918 Manjil was the site of a battle between the Jangali troops and the joint British and White Russian forces. The latter force (led by General Dunsterville and Kernel Bicherakhov) although formally just trying to organize the return of Russian soldiers back home, in reality was planning to pass through Manjil as the only passage to the Caspian in order to reach Baku and fight against the newly formed Baku commune (led by Stepan Shahumian). General Dunsterville's private diaries and notes, including those kept during his command of the Dunsterforce Mission to North Persia and Baku, are transcribed from the original by General Dunsterville's great granddaughter, and are co-located on the Great War Primary Documents Archive [1]. Mirza Koochek Khan's troops were defeated in this war because of the use of artillery, armored car and airplanes by the joint forces. Mirza's field commander was a German officer (Major Von Pashen) who had joined the Jangal movement after being released by them from the British prison in Rasht. Year 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Manjil is a historical town in the southern basin of Caspian in Northern Iran. ... The White movement, whose military arm is known as the White Army (Белая Армия) or White Guard (Белая Гвардия, белогвардейцы) and whose members are known as Whites (Белые, or the derogatory Беляки) or White Russians (a term which has other meanings) comprised some of the Russian forces, both political and military, which opposed the Bolsheviks after the... Municipality: Baku Area: 1000 km² Altitude: -28 m Population: 2,074,300 census 2003 Population density: 1280 persons/km² Postal Code: +99450 Area code: 012 Municipality code: BA Latitude: 41° 01 52 N Longitude: 21° 20 25 E Weather types: 9 of 11 Mayor: Hajibala Abutalybov The Baku region. ... Municipality: Baku Area: 1000 km² Altitude: -28 m Population: 2,074,300 census 2003 Population density: 1280 persons/km² Postal Code: +99450 Area code: 012 Municipality code: BA Latitude: 41° 01 52 N Longitude: 21° 20 25 E Weather types: 9 of 11 Mayor: Hajibala Abutalybov The Baku region. ... Stepan Shahumyan Stepan Shahumyan (Armenian Ստեպան Շահումյան; * 13 October 1878, † 20 September 1918), also known as Stepan Georgevich Shaumyan (Russian Степан Георгиевич Шаумян) was an Armenian communist politician and revolutionary. ... For other uses of this term see: Persia (disambiguation) The Persian Empire is the name used to refer to a number of historic dynasties that have ruled the country of Persia (Iran). ...

The Jangal movement was further boosted and gained gravity after the victory of the Bolsheviks in Russia. In May 1920 the Soviet Navy led by Fyodor F. Raskolnikov and accompanied by Grigoriy Ordzhonikidze entered the Caspian port of Anzali. This mission was declared to be only in pursue of the Russian vessels and ammunition taken to Anzali by the White Russian counter-revolutionary general Denikin, who had been given asylum by British forces in Anzali. The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a series of political events in Russia, involving first the overthrow of the system of autocracy, and then the overthrow of the liberal Provisional Government (Duma), resulting in the establishment of the Soviet power under the control of the Bolshevik party. ... Bolshevik Party Meeting. ... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Grigoriy Konstantinovich Ordzhonikidze (Russian:Григорий Константинович Орджоникидзе), generally known as Sergo Ordzhonikidze (Серго) (October 12, 1886 - February 18, 1937) was a member of the Politburo, and close friend to Stalin. ... Anzali Lagoon Bandar-e Anzali (in Persian: بندر انزلی), known as Bandar-e Pahlavi (بندر پهلوی) before the Iranian Revolution, is a harbour town on the Caspian Sea, in the Iranian province of Gilan, close to Rasht. ... The term White Russian may refer to: A member of the White movement, which opposed the Bolsheviks after the October Revolution and fought against the Red Army during the Russian Civil War. ... Anton Denikin on the day of his resignation in 1920 Anton Ivanovich Denikin (Анто́н Ива́нович Дени́кин) (December 16, 1872 - August 8, 1947) was a Russian army officer before and during...

Socialist Republic of Gilan

Mirza Koochak Khan agreed to cooperate with the Soviet revolutionaries on some conditions including the announcement of the Socialist Republic of Gilan (also known as The Red Republic of the Jungle) under his leadership and lack of any direct intervention by the Soviets in the internal affairs of the republic. However, soon disagreements arose between Mirza and his group of advisors on one side and the Soviets and the Iranian Communist Party (evolved from the Baku based Edalad Party). Mirza's efforts to resolve the bloody disputes by sending a petition through a delegate of two of his men to Lenin [2] did not result in a resolution. By 1921 and particularly after the agreement achieved between the Soviet Union and Britain the Soviets decided not to further support the Socialist Republic of Gilan and as a result the government forces lead by Reza Khan crushed the dispersed forces of the Jungle Republic. The Persian Socialist Soviet Republic (widely known as the Soviet Republic of Gilan ) was a short-lived Soviet republic in the province of Gilan that lasted from June of 1920 until September of 1921. ... Soviet redirects here. ... Vladimir Ilyich Lenin ( Russian: Влади́мир Ильи́ч Ле́нин  listen?), original surname Ulyanov (Улья́нов) ( April 22 (April 10 ( O.S.)), 1870 – January 21, 1924), was a... The Persian Socialist Soviet Republic (widely known as the Soviet Republic of Gilan ) was a short-lived Soviet republic in the province of Gilan that lasted from June of 1920 until September of 1921. ... Reza Shah Pahlavi Reza Shah Pahlavi (Persian: رضا پهلوی) (b. ...

"Comrade Saadollah Darvish" is appointed as the Chair of the Revolutionary Council (Commissar) of the forces missioned to Mazandaran Province. The letter is signed by Mirza Koochak Khan (his usual signature "Koochek-e Jangali" i.e., "Koochek of the Jungle") and other members of the "Revolutionary Council of The Republic of Iran", 1920. The tone and the terminology used in the letter shows the revolutionary fervor of the time and, contrary to the suggestion of conservatism on Mirza's side by some historians, his devotion to the ideas of socialism.

The "wall newspaper" Roosta (village) in Persian and Russian reads: "Red Iran, Rasht June 27, 1920, Long Live Mirza Koochek", in the honor of Mirza Koochek Khan and celebration of the newly announced Soviet Republic of Gilan.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (540x720, 52 KB) Summary From: Ebrahim Fakhrayi, Sardar-e Jangal (The Commander of the Jungle), Tehran: Javidan,1983. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (540x720, 52 KB) Summary From: Ebrahim Fakhrayi, Sardar-e Jangal (The Commander of the Jungle), Tehran: Javidan,1983. ... Image File history File links Slide0001_image002. ... Image File history File links Slide0001_image002. ... Persian (local name: Fārsī or Pārsī) is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and by minorities in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... The Persian Socialist Soviet Republic (widely known as the Soviet Republic of Gilan ) was a short-lived Soviet republic in the province of Gilan that lasted from June of 1920 until September of 1921. ...

Mirza's death

Mirza and his companion, a Russian-German revolutionary adventurer Gauook (Hooshang), left alone in Khalkhal mountains, died of frost bite. His body was decapitated by a local landlord and his head was displayed in Rasht to establish the government’s new hegemony [3] over revolution and revolutionary ideas.

Historical analysis

Historians have tried to analyze the factors that contributed to the demise of the Jangal Movement. Some of the main studies including those by Gregor Yeghikian and Ebrahim Fakhrayi (minister of Culture in Mirza's Cabinet of the Red Republic) suggest a role for both extremist actions taken by the Communist (Edalat) Party that provoked opposing religious sentiment among the public, and Mirza Koochak Khan's religious and at times somewhat conservative views on collaboration with the Communist Party as possible factors.

It has been suggested also that the change of policy on the Soviet side regarding pursuing global revolution (as advocated by Trotsky) versus establishing and protecting the Soviet Union was the main reason for them to withdraw support from the Gilan republic. The second option got more support and therefore Soviets signed a treaty with British in London (1921) which necessiated withdrawing from Northern Iran. Correspondence between Theodore Rothstein the Soviet ambassador in Tehran and Mirza Koochak Khan clearly supports this view (Ebrahim Fakhrayi). As part of his peace making efforts, Rothstein had also sent a message to the Soviet officers among Ehsanollah Khan's one thousand strong force that had made its way towards Qazvin, not to obey his orders and as a result that campaign was defeated. 1915 passport photo of Trotsky Leon Davidovich Trotsky (Russian: Лев Давидович Троцкий; also transliterated Trotskii, Trotski, Trotzky) (October 26 (O.S.) = November 7 (N.S.), 1879 - August 21, 1940), born Lev Davidovich Bronstein (&#1051... Qazvin may refer to: Qazvin (city) Qazvin province Note: Qazvin province was created in 1996; older references to Qazvin are invariably to the city. ...

See also

• Iranian Constitutional Revolution
• Gilan
• The Jangal movement
• Iran-Russia relations

A Revolution in Iran against the despotic rule of the last Qajar Shah. ... Guilan (گیلان in Persian) is one of the 30 provinces of Iran, during antique time known as part of Hyrcania, with a population of approximately 2 million and an area of 14,700 sq. ... Mirza Kuchek, the leader of the movement. ... Relations between Russia and Persia (pre-1935 Iran), officially commenced in 1592, with the Safavids in power. ...

External links

• Socialist Republic of Gilan: The First Offensive Move of the October Revolution
• General Dunstervill's diary - Great War Primary Documents Archive
• http://www.irib.ir/Ouriran/mashahir/siasi/jangali/htm/en/jangali.htm
• http://www.iran-daily.com/1384/2330/html/panorama.htm

Further reading

• Ebrahim Fakhrayi, Sardar-e Jangal (The Commander of the Jungle), Tehran: Javidan,1983.
• Gregor Yaghikiyan, Shooravi and jonbesh-e jangal (The Soviet Union and the Jungle Movement), Editor: Borzouyeh Dehgan, Tehran: Novin, 1984.