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Book Two – Ep.2: Constituent Assembly

Book Two – Ep.2: Constituent Assembly

Author: String Studios February 12, 2025 Duration: 26:30
The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran
History

In the aftermath of the parliament’s vote to abolish the Qajar dynasty, Reza Khan and his team lay the groundwork for his ascension to the throne and his official coronation as the new king.

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Episode Summary

On October 31, 1925, with the vote of Iran’s National Consultative Assembly (Majlis) the Qajar dynasty was officially abolished, and Reza Khan became the leader. The transition was marked by the dismissal of the Qajar royal family. This included Mohammad Hassan Mirza, the brother of the last Qajar king. Despite some resistance, the Iranian elite largely accepted the change, though the general populace remained indifferent or unaware of the political shift.Reza Khan made an early effort to gain support by aligning himself with Islamic religious figures.

Reza Khan convened a Constituent Assembly to legitimize his rule. In December 1925, the assembly formalized his ascension to the throne, making the Pahlavi family the new royal house. Internationally, Reza Khan swiftly gained recognition. With Britain, the Soviet Union, and others acknowledging his new regime, tensions with Britain arose over diplomatic precedence. While Reza Khan was tying up loose ends, Ahmad Shah tried to make a case for his return. He wanted to fight against the abolishment, but his claims went nowhere.

In December 1925, the constituent assembly swore Reza Khan in as the king of Persia. His first royal act was to build a new cabinet, appointing trusted figures like Ali Akbar Davar and Abdol Hosein Teimurtash, who would play crucial roles in shaping the early Pahlavi state. Reza Khan’s coronation took place in April 1926 with a simple yet dignified ceremony, signifying the start of a new dynasty.

Music

  • Kai Engel – Modum
  • Trevor Kowalski – Down to Minutes
  • Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen – Consensus
  • Handel – Sarabande

The post Book Two – Ep.2: Constituent Assembly appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.


The 2025 Signal Award winner for Best History Podcast, The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran from String Studios, explores a past defined by continuous striving for freedom and self-determination. This narrative history podcast moves beyond simple chronology to examine how the potent forces of faith, royal authority, democratic aspiration, and national identity have intertwined to shape the nation's complex journey to the present. Each episode is built on a foundation of meticulous research, delivered as a compelling story. The inaugural season, "Book One: The Qajars," focuses on a pivotal era, detailing the events and personalities behind the Constitutional Revolution that established Iran's first parliament. Listeners will hear a nuanced account of a society in profound transition, where modern ideas clashed with ancient institutions. The podcast carefully untangles these threads, revealing how decisions and movements from over a century ago continue to resonate deeply. It is an essential listen for anyone seeking to understand not just what happened, but why it matters today, offering clarity and context to a history that is often summarized but seldom fully grasped. Through this focused storytelling, the series provides a clear window into the forces that built a modern state.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 35

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The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran
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