Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 101 Two Major Events
Sending these few people on an expedition would have been unthinkable in the past, because everyone in Iran was focused on survival. Now it seems Iran has changed, becoming more adventurous and dynamic.

Larijani's textile factory was also built in Tehran, where resources are more abundant and the market is larger. As the national capital, it allows for quick sales of products.

Besides carpets, the factory also produces gauze and fabrics, employing workers to produce them. Although the profits are not as high as in Tabriz, they are still considerable compared to hand-woven textiles.

"Chairman, you have a good eye for talent, setting up the factory here. Once the Tabriz Railway opens, you can directly export goods, which will likely increase your wealth considerably."

"Hahaha, not worth mentioning."

Larijani and those around him laughed. Although tariffs were restricted by treaties, they were able to survive thanks to policy support; this was true not only for the textile industry but also for the raw silk industry.

Iran's raw silk production can be traced back to the Sasanian Dynasty, where the rulers valued and encouraged the development of the silk industry, selling not only domestically but also to neighboring regions. After the fall of the dynasty, Iran was successively ruled by Arabs, Turks, and Mongols. The incursions of nomadic peoples and the turbulent political situation severely impacted and devastated Iran's silk industry. Although some rulers provided support to the industry to increase fiscal revenue, its scale was far smaller than before, and it was generally in a state of low development.

Following the rise of the Safavid dynasty, Iran entered a long period of social stability, and the silk industry ushered in a "golden age," achieving significant progress in both quantity and scale compared to previous dynasties. However, due to continuous wars, it subsequently declined again during the Qajar dynasty.

Raw silk is a key Iranian export, and the government is supporting its development alongside the textile industry, encouraging people to produce it and invest in factories. In the past two years, raw silk exports have begun to grow again, reaching 150 million rials last year, double the value in 1845.

"Now, businessmen across the country are favoring the textile industry, as well as investing in food and paper manufacturing. They all feel that these things are more profitable than farming."

Furthermore, our members in port cities like Bushehr have begun investing in shipping. Currently, the most important routes are to Mumbai, Mogadishu, and London, with many more to come in the future.

Larijani nodded, then asked, "How's the exhibition going?"

"Everything is ready. As long as Shah comes, he will surely be able to influence the atmosphere in the country."

After careful planning, the Federation of Industries will hold a trade fair in Tehran. They have allocated 20 riyals to decorate the venue, with the aim of promoting domestic industry and fostering attractive export products.

This exhibition will showcase hundreds of products, and the best ones will be awarded prizes. Many people are eager to try their luck and win the award.

Furthermore, countries such as the UK, France, Austria, Prussia, Belgium, and the Netherlands were invited. By inviting these countries to invest and participate, Iran could not only learn advanced Western technologies and management experience but also enhance the competitiveness of Iranian goods. For the government, the exhibition also held other significance. First, through tangible events like the Industrial Exhibition, it showcased Iran's post-reform national strength and potential to the world. Second, it clearly demonstrated to the world that the Iranian government was committed to promoting industrialization.

----------

In European countries, the conservatives were finally launching a counterattack. Russia, hailed as the gendarme of Europe and the stronghold of conservatives, officially sent troops into Austria to extinguish the flames of the Hungarian Revolution.

Not only in Hungary, but also in Croatia, Slovakia, Transylvania and other places, local ethnic uprisings have broken out.

Emperor Franz of Austria and his advisors manipulated the Croats, Serbs, and Romanians, making contradictory promises to the Magyars one day and to the Serbs and other groups the next. Some of these groups were led by leaders fighting for independence against the Hungarian government; this led to numerous brutal massacres among the Magyars and other minorities.

Back in August of last year, the Hungarian Parliament's Nationality Committee drafted a nationality bill for Romanians, promising them very broad rights. Despite these efforts, Romanians appealed to the Emperor to meet their demands, leading to a bloody civil war between them and the Hungarians.

A Russian army of about 8000 soldiers invaded Transylvania. But as they crossed the Southern Carpathian Pass, they encountered the Hungarian revolutionary army led by General Józef Bém, a Polish-born general who had participated in the Polish uprising of 1830-31 and the Vienna Uprising of 1848, eventually becoming one of the highest-ranking Hungarian army commanders.

After encountering the Russians, Bem defeated them, forcing them to leave Brasov in Transylvania, cross the Southern Carpathian Mountains, and pass through the Rotttum Pass into Wallachia. However, only 2000 Russian soldiers returned to Wallachia from Transylvania; the other 6000 were killed or captured by the Hungarian army.

The Austrians advanced along the Danube from Vienna, crossed Hungary, and besieged Komoen. They continued along the Danube towards Pest, the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary. After fierce fighting, the Austrians, led by Prince Windisch-Graz, captured Buda and Pest, but these were quickly recaptured by the Hungarians. Thus, the Hungarian government had achieved equal success against the Russians on the eastern front and against the Austrians on the western front.

On the Italian front, the Sardinian army was soundly defeated by the Austrian veteran Radecki. Also last August, the two sides signed a truce in Vigevano. However, this truce lasted less than six months, as the Sardinian king broke the agreement and launched another attack.

Austrian troops then launched an offensive in Lombardy and decisively defeated the Piedmontese army at Novara. After being driven back, the Sardinian army retreated all the way to Borgomanero at the foot of the Alps. Austrian forces subsequently occupied Novara, Vercelli, Trino, and Brescia, and the road to their capital, Turin, was also opened. King Carlo, left with no other option, abdicated in favor of his son Victorius and sent representatives to negotiate peace with Austria. This war symbolized that Sardinia could not defeat Austria alone, and thus began seeking allies to fight against Austria.

Faced with discontent within Austria, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria promulgated a constitution promising to form a parliament that would guarantee imperial unity, national equality, and representative government. He also abolished feudalism, established municipal organizations, and reformed the judicial system.

(End of this chapter)