Iran during the Shah's rule

Categories: Asia | History |

The last 40 years of the monarchy, which fell to the lot of the Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, became too pro-Western for the broad masses and the Muslim Shiite clergy, which led to the revolution of 1979 (1357 according to the Iranian calendar).

Iran during the Shah's rule

The radical changes of that time brought Iran closer to a level of cultural freedom that has never been there and that probably will not appear soon. We wouldn't have believed it ourselves if it weren't for these unique photos of Iran before the Islamic Revolution.

Iran during the Shah's rule

1. Like Ataturk in Turkey, Shah Reza Pahlavi undertook a number of reforms aimed at turning Iran into a modern Europeanized state.

Iran during the Shah's rule

2. These reforms included the structuring of Iran around a central Persian identity, the often brutal suppression of religious discontent, and the empowerment of women.

Iran during the Shah's rule

3. In particular, women were encouraged to attend school and receive an education.

Iran during the Shah's rule

4.

Iran during the Shah's rule

5. Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, his wife and little Princess Shahnaz, Tehran, Iran, 1942.

Iran during the Shah's rule

6. Closed clothing for women was abolished, which, of course, caused discontent among the Shiite clergy.

Iran during the Shah's rule

7. The royal family set the direction for Westernization by personal example. In the photo, the Empress Soraya.

Iran during the Shah's rule

8. Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida and her husband pose for a photographer with Iranian athletes, Persia, May 20, 1963.

Iran during the Shah's rule

9. Winston Churchill with the Shah and the Queen at his official London residence.

Iran during the Shah's rule

10. Several color photographs of Tehran at that time.

Iran during the Shah's rule

11. Swimming pool in the guest house of the Iranian National Oil Company.

Iran during the Shah's rule

12.

Iran during the Shah's rule

13. Tehran, July 1971.

     

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