34
intellectual had guided many others by expressing his ideas
to make the Islamic world resilient against Western
influence. According to al-Afghānī, attempts were needed to
achieve mental development of the age by bringing together
Islam’s universal messages and modern
scientific knowledge
and technology. After travelling to some countries of the
Ottoman Empire, Afghanistan, India and Europe, al-Afghānī
is known for his messages addressed not only to Iran but
also to all Islamic world. Other intellectuals who had
influenced
Iranian
intelligentsia
were
Ottoman
Constitutionalists Mithat Pasha, Namık Kemal, Ali Suavi
and Ziya Pasha as well as Ali Ahundov and Mirza Abdul
Rahim Tabrizi who were influenced by Russian
intellectuals.
42
From early to late 1800s, over two hundred Persian
books were published in Iran while numerous books were
published in India, Ottoman Empire and Europe. The
number of newspapers in 1870s have increased: besides
official newspapers such as “Ruzname-yi Vaka-yı
İttifakiye”, many legal and illegal newspapers and
magazines such as “Vatan” (Nation) in Iran, “Kanun” (Law)
in London, “Ahter” in Istanbul, “Hablül Metin” in Kolkata
and “Süreyya” in Cairo brought life to Iranian intellectual
life. “Urvetul Vuska” co-published by al-Afghānī and
Mohammed Abduh reached many readers in Iran as well as
in the Islamic world.
43
Dissemination of modern education, opening of
Ottoman university, introduction of telegram, western type
of clothing, establishment of police force, and construction
of railways all contributed to Iran’s becoming a state with a
modern look. External influences on Iran’s attempts for
enlightenment and change were directed from Caucasia,
Ottoman Empire and India.
A newspaper titled “Hablül Metin” was published
within the framework of activities by Iranians who migrated
to India and it was banned by Iranian government on
grounds that it was spreading reformist and modernist ideas.
“Hablül Metin”, the best-selling newspaper before the
declaration of the Constitutional Reform on 1905/6 had been
42
Bayat
, ibid., p. 79-81; for more information see Metin, pp.105-162.
43
Resulzade,
ibid., p.75-78, 101-106