15
In the early 20th century, after signing the Anglo-
Russian Entente of 1907, Russia supported quelling of
incidents in Iran as it feared they could spread to its lands
from Azerbaijan. However, Sattar Khan managed to defeat
an army of 40,000, a core of which was comprised of
Persians and tzar forces that supported them. They got hold
of Tabriz for months. In the meantime, poverty and epidemic
erupted in the city. As South Azerbaijan Turkmens planning
to march towards Tehran under the leadership of Sattar
Khan, England understood the gravity of the situation and
intervened and defeated Turks with the support of Iranian
government. They executed Turkish “National Commander”
(Serdar-ı Milli) Sattar Khan, “National Mentor” (Salar-ı
Milli) Bagır Khan
3
and many Turkish Masters in cold blood.
Their fight have become a national epic among Azerbaijan
Turks.
It is known that England and France armed some
non-Turkish forces in Iran and formed alliances against the
Ottoman Empire during World War I. However, Turks did
not wait and made some attempts against British and
Russian invasion of 1916, thus founding Justice Party. Some
of the members of the party included Turkish socialists.
However, not all of them were for socialism. Therefore
South
Azerbaijan
Turks
claimed
that
they
were
discriminated against and initiated a liberation movement in
Tabriz in 1917 with the support of Sheikh Mohammad
Khiabani by mobilizing the Azerbaijan Democratic Party.
However, Khiabani’s political movements go long
way back. Being a member of the Iranian parliament in
1909-1911, Sheikh Mohammad Khiabani stood out after
speeches that he delivered in late November of 1911 after
agressive threats of Russia against Iran but was forced to
leave the country after the dissolution of the parliament. He
went back to Tabriz in 1914 and took a tougher line against
3
P.Oberling, “The Tribes of Qaraca Dağ”, Oriens, 17/31, 1964, s.22;
A.Kafkasyalı, “İran Türkleri ve İran Türk Edebiyatı”, AÜ. Türkiyat
Araştırmaları Enstitüsü Dergisi, Sayı 24, Erzurum 2004, p.118; E.Aras,
“Güney Azerbaycanlı Şair Habip Sahir”, FÜ. Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi,
14/2, Elazığ 2004, p.94-95.
16
British colonialism after 1917.
4
It is probable that Khiabani
was in touch with Bolshevist government in North
Azerbaijan at the time.
After England’s colonialist aims on Iran came to
surface after the World War I, Sheikh Mohammad Khiabani
announced that he founded the Turkish State of Azadistan in
April of 1920. However, it was shortlived as it was
premature, not recognized by any country and not supported
by England. Khiabani could not receive any support from
Bolshevists who clearly took advantage of him and fought to
death against Persian army that was sent to suppress his
movement (September 1920). Therefore sparks of liberation
for South Azerbaijan Turks in 1920 and 1922 were put out
with bloodshed.
5
It must also be noted that these liberation
movements in the South coincided with revolution in Russia
which created a form of laxity and Azerbaijan Turks’
attempt to found a state.
On the other hand, carrying out a series of activities
in Iran in 1919-1920, the British planned to control
Turkistan through Ashgabat by using this place as a stepping
stone.
6
Therefore the British role in bloodshed among Turks
and Persians in Iran should not be ruled out.
As a result of this British interference, a Persian
government was brought to power. Seyid Ziya was elected
to rule after the coup in 1921 and later Rıza Khan who was
trained by the British for one or two years was elected as the
4
A.Attar, İran’ın Etnik Yapısı, Ankara 2006, p.264-267.
5
E.Abrahamian, “Communism and Communalism in Iran: The Tudah and
the Firqah-ı Dimukrat”, International Journal of Middle East Studies,
1/4, London 1970, s.294-295; M.Saray, Türkistan Türkleri, İstanbul
1984, p.57; M.Bala, “Kaşkay”, İslam Ansiklopedisi, V.6, 5th Issue,
İstanbul 1988, s.415; M.P.Zirinsky, “Imperial Power and Dictatorship:
Britain and the Rise of Reza Shah, 1921-1926”, International Journal of
Middle East Studies, 24/4, London 1992, s.643; Aras, a.g.m., p.95 Attar,
a.g.e., p.87-88.
6
The Late Enver Pasha waged war against Russians in Turkistan in 1921,
Turkmens in Khorasan also rebelled under the leadership of Colonel
Mohammed Taki Khan and declared autonomous Khorasan government
in April 1921, which is worth noting at this point (see Kafkasyalı, a.g.m.,
p.121).
17
Prime Minister.
7
Turks who had influential role in Iran
government until the first half of the 20th century
completely lost their influence after 26th April 1926 as
Pahlavi dynasty and Persians began to rule Iran on this date.
The area which was referred to with different state and
dynasty names began to be called Iran.
8
The government
banned Turkish from schools. Funding was provided for
regions populated mostly by Persians. Persian nationality
was redefined via new policy on language, history and
culture based on Persian identity with the help of the British.
Serious conflicts suddenly emerged among Turks and
Persians who had united under Shiism until that moment.
Turks were treated as inferior citizens. In fact, struggles
among Persians and Turks date back to old times. Iranians
who suffered heavy casualties against Turks in Iran-Turan
Wars were then seeking blood vengeance via their actions
and culture policies, if not announcing it in public.
During the first years of the World War II, Germany
had close business ties in Iran and reportedly around 4,000
German spies were operating in Iran by 1941. As
noted
before, Kashgais, one of the Iran Turks and breeders of the
best horses of the world as well as producers of spectacular
carpets were led by a mighty governor named Savlet’üd-
devle who was against the British in the early 20th century
and caused heavy casualties against the British during the
World War I. Despite the fact the he lost control of his tribe
after disturbances caused by British policies, he was later
reinstated as the Khan. Due to their population and courage,
Kashgais are said to have been in capacity to fight against
the Iranian army that was trained by foreign military
experts.
9
7
Turks of Turkey were fighting for independence in those years. We are
sure that Mustafa Kemal was following the movement here but there is
not much Turkey could do.
8
B.G.Fragner, “Persien Zwischen England und Rußland 1918-1925.
Großmachteinflüsse und Nationaler Wiederaufstieg am Beispiel des Iran”,
Die Welt des Islams, New Series , Band 22, 1982, p.125; Attar, a.g.m.,
p.30; Güney Azerbaycan Türklüğünün Özgürlük Mücadelesi…, p.4-5.
9
C.Orhonlu, “İran Siyasi Hayatında Kaşgaylar ve Oynadıkları Rol”, Türk
Kültürü, Issue 56, Ankara 1967, p.615; R.Grousset , Asya’nın Uyanışı,
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