Jangal Movement of Gilan - History of The Movement

History of The Movement

In 1914 Mirzâ Kuçak Xân met in Tehran with other prominent figures of the Constitutional Revolution and helped organize a plan of reform for Iran, which called for the total independence of the nation, land and social reforms for the poor, and Islamic unity. Obstacles to this program included foreign imperialists, the landed elites, and tribal leaders. From the constitutionalist perspective, the Tehran government had by this time lost its independence and had fallen completely under the influence of the British and Russians. Kuchak Khan and the Jangalis then formally disavowed the central government and proclaimed their intention to free Iran from both the foreign influences and the domination of landed elites and tribal rulers.

During the next few years, the Jangalis fought against the Russian and British forces that had threatened to advance towards Tehran from Gilan. They also waged campaigns against the tribes and robber bandits that threatened the security of the region. At this point, the Jangali movement was still fiercely committed to Iran, rather than pursuing Gilani nationalism which had not yet become an issue.

However, after the Russian Revolution of 1917, foreign domination over the central government of Tehran was no longer as strong, and while the British continued to maintain a high level of influence over the Imperial Court, the government was now able to act more independently than before. Kouchak Khan and the Jangalis, as well as other constitutionalists and nationalists, saw this as an opportunity to join the central government and begin implementing their long-awaited democratic and social reforms. The Anglo-Persian Treaty of 1919, however, put an end to such an opportunity. The treaty was widely viewed by Iranians as having made the nation into nothing more than a British protectorate. Its chief negotiator, Prime Minister Vosough od-Dowleh, was seen as a servant of the British. Kouchak Khan thereafter made this announcement in response to the terms of the treaty:

"My purpose and that of my friends is the independence of the state and the reforming and strengthening of the central government."

Kuchak Khan made a public declaration that he was against the idea of separating Gilan from Iran, and that Gilan would return to the jurisdiction of the central government as soon as it rejected the treaty and reformed itself. This, however, did not happen, and antagonism towards Britain and the ruling elites of the Qajar Court who were subservient to their interests grew to unprecedented heights. In June 1919, the Bolsheviks officially ended the Czarist era practice of extracting special privileges and concessions from Tehran.

In May 1920 the Soviet Navy led by Raskolnikov and accompanied by Sergo Ordzhonikidze entered the Caspian port of Anzali. This mission was declared to be only in pursuit of the Russian vessels and ammunition taken to Anzali by the White Russian counter-revolutionary general Denikin, who had been given asylum by British forces in Anzali. Upon their arrival based on some preliminary communication between Mirza and the Bolsheviks, Mirza agreed to enter into an alliance with the Soviets against the British. Among the conditions was the establishment of the Soviet Republic of Gilan.

However, soon arose disagreements between Kuchak Khan and his group of advisors on one side and the Soviets and the Iranian Communist Party (evolved from the Baku based Edalat (Justice) Party)on the other. Kuchak Khan's efforts to resolve the bloody disputes by sending a petition through a delegate of two of his men to Lenin did not result in a resolution. By 1921 and particularly after the agreement reached between the Soviet Union and Britain the Soviets decided to give no further support to the Gilan Republic. As a result, the government forces led by Reza Khan crushed the dispersed forces of the Republic.

Historians have tried to analyze the factors that contributed to the demise of the Jangal movement. Some of the main studies including those by Gregor Yeghikian and Ebrahim Fakhrayi (minister of Culture in Mirza's Cabinet of the Red Republic) suggest a role for both extremist actions taken by the Communist (Edalat) Party that provoked opposing religious sentiment among the public, and Mirza Kuchak Khan's religious and at times somewhat conservative views on collaboration with the Communist Party as possible factors.

Of note is that Haydar Khan e Amo-oghli (secretary-general of the Communist Party of Iran, from Baku), was arrested by Mirza's men and was later killed by the locals. This act, according to some sources, was not approved by Mirza however, was considered a reactionary and discouraging move by the Soviets. The Gilan republic lasted from June 1920 until September 1921.

Mirza and his German friend Gauook (Hooshang), while escaping the government forces died of frost bite in Khalkhal mountains. His body was decapitated by a local landlord and his head was displayed in Rasht to establish the government’s new hegemony over revolution and revolutionary ideas.