Jangal Movement of Gilan - Further Analysis

Further Analysis

Initially, when commencing the movement, Mirza and his allies formed a union called Ettehad-e-Islam (The Islamic Union). Although in the beginning, they were in conformity over the aims of the movement, eventually the movement began witnessing considerable friction as some members had diverging tendencies toward Ahmad Shah Qajar while others such as Mirza specifically called for an Iranian "Republic." (See Tarikh-i Enghelab-i Jangal by Muhammad Ali Gilak, Rasht, 1992)

Not only did Mirza specifically use the term "Republic of Iran," as can be seen in his letters (printed in Sardar-i Jangal by Ibrahim Fakhra'i, 1963, p282), but he had also declared his interest in a "Republic" before the advent of the Communist Party of Iran. (Nehzat-i Jangal by Shapur Ravasani, ISBN 964-5799-64-3, p59) In fact Mirza was removed from his posts in the Red republic only 17 days after the party's formation (Masa'il-i Inghilab-i Iran by Irandust, 1927, Vol 5, p132). Mirza did not seem to agree with Marxist ideology, being a devout man of faith, even though many of his allies until the end were members of the Communist Party.

Concerning other points of interest is Mirza's insistence on separating church from state. This is clearly stated in Article 5 of the Jangal Movement's Constitution, where it states: "Enfekak-e Rohaniyat az Omur-i Siyasi va Moa'ashi" ("The separation of the clergy from the affairs of politics and economics"). Mirza was himself a cleric by training.

One of the reasons for the success of Mirza's movement were his many educated reformist allies, such as Hossein Kasma'i, who was the Editor in Chief of the movement's newspaper Jangal, or Ashrafeddin Hosseini, Editor in Chief of the paper Naseem e Shomal, who died during the movement's struggle.

With the movement picking up momentum, the British, Russians, Ottomans, and Germans sent envoys to absorb the movement into their political spheres, but soon all their envoys were retracted in favor of ties with the central government in Tehran.

Mirza did however employ some German officers who were former prisoners of the British in Rasht. These officers established training camps for Mirza in Gurab Zarmokh, the movement's military headquarters. A military school was also established in Lahijan, and by 1917, the Gendarmerie and Cossack forces of Rasht had joined the movement.

The British did not take Mirza's successes lightly, and sent Captain Noel to assassinate Mirza (Fakhrai, p13). The British captain was arrested before he could take any such action. Colonel Stokes and General L.C. Dunsterville (whose troops were lightly referred to as the Dunsterforce) were further agitated by Mirza's refusal to let British troops pass through Gilan on their way up north, while Mirza had approved and guaranteed Russian troops returning north safe passage. British forces attacked Rasht as a result, and even bombed Mirza's residence using airplanes. An ultimatum was issued to Mirza by the British to surrender.

The Russians joined the British and sent in 20,000 troops to capture Mirza. Many prominent members of the movement such as Haj Ahmad Kasmai, and Dr Talequani Heshmat surrendered and the latter was executed despite the immunity that he was granted.

It must be emphasized that Mirza was not after the secession of Gilan from Iran, but rather to establish an independent Republic for all of Iran, as was clearly stressed repeatedly in his communiques.

In the wake of his final defeat and the demise of the movement, Mirza is known to have bitterly remarked in a letter shortly before his death:

"How sad that Iranians are supportive of the dead (mordeh-parast) and still do not realize the value of this movement. Of course they will come to realize after we are gone: who we were, what we wanted to achieve, and what we did."