The Ulama of Iran : fluctuation in power 1796-1941

The purpose of this study is to analyze the history of Iran from the nineteenth century to 1941 to determine the factors which contributed to fluctuation in the ulama's influence on Iranian politics.

The study is divided into three parts. The first covers the period from the formation of the Qajar dynasty to the end of the Tobacco Protests (1797-1892). The second covers the Constitutional Revolution including its prelude and aftermath (1892-1921). The third covers the reign of Reza Shah, the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty (1921-1941). The conclusions provided an analysis of developments following Reza Shah's reign. They include a brief description of the Islamic Revolution of 1979, and speculations with respect to future of the ulama's role in Iranian politics.

This study concludes that during the first period and that part of the second which extends up to the victory of the Constitutional Revolution of 1906, the ulama's influence and power was on the rise. On the other hand, after the establishment of the constitutional government in 1906, the ulama's power to influence the politics of Iran started to decline. This decline continued through the Reza Shah period.

This study concludes that three major factors contributed to fluctuations in the ulama's power and influence. These factors are (1) the attitudes of the kings and their advisors toward the ulama and religious matters, (2) foreign influences, and (3) the status of the religious hierarchy.

This study concludes with the conjective that the dominance of the ulama in Iranian politics is a lasting phenomenon which will last for years to come.