South Persian Rifles - Large Photos

Zahra Abbassi The independent military organization of the south of Iran was formed in mid-1916 under the supervision of the British officers and authorities in Fars, Kerman, and Shiraz. The apparent purpose of forming this military group was providing the safety of the southern roads. However, the main purpose of this was to control the southern parts of Iran and safeguard the interests of the British in Iran. The forces of the two occupying countries, the Russia and the Great Britain made Sepahdar Tonokaboni’s cabinet conclude an agreement in order to form a group of forces against which he received funds which were to be spent under the control of a commission including the Russians, the British and a representative from Iran. This military force was formed according to an uncertain agreement of Sepahdar Tonokaboni’s government and the limited and provisional agreement of the next cabinet of Vossoqoddowleh, without any formal and binding permission. General Sir Percy Sykes and some British officers of India’s army were among the commanders and instructors of south Persian Rifles. Sykes entered Kerman and Bandar Abbas in March 1916 in the company of some British officers and militaries of India. However, subsequent to Vossouqoddowleh’s cabinet, no other government permitted the British to keep its force. All Persian parties and press objected to the presence of this force in the south and considered it as an invasion to Iran’s integrity. There was held a general meeting in Tupkhneh square. Mostofialmamalek’s government called it a foreign intrusive force. The committee members of Democratic Party in Shiraz gathered in a mosque in protest against the presence of south rifles. The society of Islamic nationalists issued an announcement and demanded the liquidation of the south rifles. One of the actions of the south rifles was to create insecurity and disorder in great dimensions so that it would be recognized officially. And the nation would be persuaded that the existence of this force was necessary in the south. They bought wheat and barley in high prices and created a sort of famine in the region. However, South Rifles remained in Iran until the end of First World War and no Iranian government recognized it. Eventually, Seyyed Ziaaddin Tabatabai entered into negotiations with the British on its liquidation the result of which was only a reduction in the number of the British authorities. After Seyyed Zia’s fall, the British demanded Iran to pay for the expenses of the South Rifles. Later on they felt no need and liquidated it completely, and destroyed all its equipments.

South Persian Rifles

Letter by the prime minister to Brichman British Charge d’ affair in Iran and expressing his annoyance at the event of putting into fire of the equipment and ammunitions of South Rifles and stressing on the necessity of purchase of arms for forming regular forces in Kerman
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South Persian Rifles

Copy of Hike, the British embassy advisor’s letter to the ministry of foreign affairs on providing all expenses of the South Rifles until by his own government and the India’s government after March 30th 1921
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South Persian Rifles

Ratification of the board of ministers to the ministry of foreign affairs on the British government’s decision to liquidate the South Rifles and acquiescence of the board of ministers to hold negotiations with the British on transfer of the South Rifles to Iranian government without British and India’s authorities under the government gendarmerie
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South Persian Rifles

Rahim Khan Gholambashi’s report on the actions of the British in recognizing the South Rifles and purchase and store of wheat and grains in the provinces with the purpose of persuading the residents to take sit in in British Consulates in protest against shortage of basics
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South Persian Rifles

Declaration of Mellion Islamic Society asking for the cancellation of Vossouqoddowleh’s treaty with the British, renewal of majlis elections, announcing their reluctance to the presence of the British forces in Iranian soil, appointing of eligible people to government services, liquidation of South Rifles, adoption of neutral policy and freedom of press
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South Persian Rifles

A telegraph from Fars committee of Democratic party to Hassan Vossouq, the prime minister on the general shut down in protest against the illegal South Rifles and asking for the necessary help
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South Persian Rifles

Sardar Nosrat’s telegraph from Kerman to Sepahsalar Azam, the prime minister, the news of general Sir Percy Sykes in the company of some British and India’s authorities to Kerman and entertaining and welcoming them
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South Persian Rifles

A copy of MohammadAli Khan Sepahsalar, the prime minister’s reply to the Russian and the British embassies to announce his acquiescence with the proposals of the two powers on the formation of military force under the instruction of Russ o British trainers, employment of instructors and payment of the expenses by the said powers, and also making financial reforms through extending the powers of the common commission
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South Persian Rifles

The British embassy’s announcement on the liquidation of South Rifles and transferring it to Iranian government
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South Persian Rifles

The British embassy’s announcement on the liquidation of South Rifles and transferring it to Iranian government
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South Persian Rifles

The British embassy’s announcement on the liquidation of South Rifles and transferring it to Iranian government
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South Persian Rifles

The British embassy’s announcement on the liquidation of South Rifles and transferring it to Iranian government
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South Persian Rifles

The resolution of a general meeting demanding the exit of the British forces from Iran, liquidation of South Rifles, non-confiscation of Iran’s properties in Bank, freedom of prisoners, clergies and Soleiman Mirza, and annihilation of all imposed British treaties with Iran
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South Persian Rifles

A telegraph from the residents of Kazerun to Ahmad Shah, ministry of interior, justice, Moderation and Democratic parties and Asre Jadid newspaper and protesting against the government’s lack of attention to the welfare of Dashti, Dashtestan, and the Persian Gulf ports and neglecting the invasions of the foreigners and the entrance of British forces to Bushire and confiscation of Iranian departments despite Iran’s declaring neutrality
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South Persian Rifles

Booklets including the proposals of common military commission of Iran o British to organize reinforce and reform Iranian army with the participations of the British and domestic and foreign dangers
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South Persian Rifles

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