Persian Empire 1845

Chapter 4 Family background
At this time, the rivalry between Russia and Britain over the West Asia region was intensifying, and Britain was uneasy about the security of its India. Therefore, it was particularly important to bring Central Asia under their control or to make it a buffer zone. Now Hammond saw the possibility of supporting Persia to stop Russia's advance, as the Ottoman Empire, which he had previously supported, had yielded no results. Perhaps this could bring a pleasant surprise.

Amir left the consulate quickly. He didn't know how the brief meeting would go, but he hoped to receive the most advanced technology.

A week later, news came from Tabriz that a newly established factory was recruiting 400 carpet workers on a first-come, first-served basis.

As soon as the news came out, the craftsmen quickly went to sign up and officially started working the next day.

Their job was to turn the raw materials provided by the factory into carpets for sale. They had to work 10 to 12 hours a day, but they received a monthly salary that could support their families. They quickly became motivated.

Persian carpets were very popular in Europe, with many being purchased from there every year. Amir gathered these bankrupt workers together and tried to increase their income and resist foreign goods by using advanced European production methods. In 1828, the total value of European goods shipped to Tabriz reached 1500 million rubles; now it has increased to 4000 million rubles.

In the peace talks of 1828, Iran relinquished all its rights in the South Caucasus and paid Russia 2000 million rubles in reparations. Russia also gained consular jurisdiction and other economic privileges, with Russian merchants receiving more favorable terms than Iranian merchants. Under these circumstances, revitalizing industry also became Nasser al-Din's task.

Beyond the military factory, there were also several smaller factories here, including a printing press, a glass factory, and a gunpowder factory, all built by the former governor, Abbas Mirza. Although abandoned for a time, the original personnel remained in Tabriz. Concerned about the country's future, they joined without hesitation when Amir and the governor revitalized the new army, continuing to contribute to the nation.

"Hey, Suleiman, how have you been lately?"

At a snack shop on the street, one person asked another for directions.

"It's still the same, nothing but work. You know how difficult it is to have a job in the current situation."

“Yes,” the other person nodded. “A few days ago, some people went to the governor to protest. Russian goods are causing them great suffering, and there is no place in our country that can produce these goods.”

“You’re right, Sadiq. Fortunately, the governor has already begun training the army, and I’m sure we’ll succeed.”

Sadiq shook his head. "The governor alone is not enough. We need to unite more people. Only when more people realize the current situation can the country get out of the crisis as soon as possible and return to prosperity."

"So, what are your suggestions?"

Sadiq, full of confidence, then revealed a plan that Sadiq had never expected.

“Let’s go west, to Istanbul, and to other places. We can see many new things.”

This plan surprised him for a moment, and then he asked the most important question: Where will the money come from?

“This…” Sadiq didn’t know either, but his mind worked quickly. “We can go to the governor; I’m sure he won’t refuse.” Suleiman almost laughed, unsure whether he was laughing at his naiveté or something else. Would the governor lend you money to travel?

"Alright, instead of spending time making plans, why don't you think about your next meal? A new carpet weaving factory recently opened in Tabriz, didn't you go?"

"We couldn't compete with them; there were too many people. They wanted 400 people. When I went to check, there were at least over a thousand."

As they spoke, their concern for the nation's fate was palpable. The reforms implemented here had broadened the locals' horizons; they had learned for the first time about the powerful offensive capabilities and advanced weaponry of Western countries, and had been exposed to a wide variety of knowledge. Now that the country was in this state, how could they stand idly by?

The Russian threat instilled fear and anger in the inhabitants of Tabriz. The war more than a decade ago had cost Persia the loss of Azerbaijan and Armenia, and Russia continued to dump goods into Persia. If things continued this way, Persia would eventually become a Russian colony.

As one of the battlegrounds in the Anglo-Russian rivalry, Russia launched continuous attacks on Persia starting in 1804, successively annexing Yerevan, Baku, Silvan, Georgia, Dagestan, Mingri, Azerbaijan, and other territories that originally belonged to or were subjugated by Persia. Russia continued its southward expansion, attempting to seize a warm-water port. If successful, this would challenge Britain's maritime lifelines to India and the Far East.

Despite his friends' discouragement, Sadiq still believed this was the right way and decided to go to the governor's mansion himself to persuade the governor.

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British Ambassador to Persia Henry Wallace received a letter from Hammond, the Consul in Tabriz, who believed that the London government would agree to the loan from the Governor of Tabriz.

To prevent Russia from advancing south, Britain supported the Ottomans in the Mediterranean and Persia in the Indian Ocean. However, Persia found this arrangement exhausting, as internal strife was even more intense than in the Ottoman Empire. Without a monarch capable of turning the tide, it would have continued to rot.

The governor's current desire for a British loan is a very positive sign. They can seize this opportunity to support him as the King of Persia, and as long as they can prevent Russia from advancing south, they can negotiate virtually any demand.

"Send it to London quickly, hurry up."

Wallace hoped this would arrive quickly, as Great Britain, having supported the Ottoman reforms, also wanted to support Persia's transformation. He hoped this would deter the invasion of the behemoth that was Russia.

From the end of the Napoleonic Wars to the present day, Russia has always considered itself the savior of Europe. Britain is also very grateful for Russia's help during the Napoleonic Wars, but Russia's frenzied territorial expansion has made it feel threatened. In particular, its expansion in Central Asia and Eastern Europe has made Britain's Far East strategy precarious, and Russia even wants to annex India, the jewel in Britain's crown. This is something Britain will never allow.

Therefore, Britain resumed its balance of power policy on the continent, using support for France, Prussia, the Ottoman Empire, and Austria to counter Russia. Meanwhile, Russia's aggressive stance made several countries uncomfortable, particularly the Ottoman Empire, its overlord, feeling threatened by Russia's repeated occupations and attempts to win over the Danube principalities.

The successive Ottoman sultans dedicated themselves to reforms to escape poverty and weakness. Mahmud II, in particular, was hailed as the Peter the Great of the Ottomans, bringing about a complete overhaul from the military to the legal system. However, the actual results seemed limited. Especially from Russia's perspective, the Ottomans remained a weak and ineffective adversary.

(End of this chapter)