Radicalism and Gilani's Constitution: Investigating the role of Gilani in the revolutionary developments of Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor in Gilan Studies, University of Guilan., Rasht, Iran

Abstract
This article examines the role of the Gilani Constitutionalist in the formation of intellectual and political radicalism in the Iranian Constitutionalist era. The Constitutionalist Revolution ushered the Iranian world into a new era. The European Constitutionalist era was based on secularism and humanism, but the Iranian Constitutionalist era was an attempt to reconcile tradition and modernity. The Iranian Constitutionalist Revolution was formed as a justice-seeking and anti-tyranny movement with the aim of establishing the rule of law and limiting the power of the Shah. This movement affected not only Iran but also the surrounding regions of Iran. The Gilani Constitutionalist era, especially in the second stage of the Constitutionalist Revolution, played an important role in weakening the Qajar tyranny and reviving constitutionalism with a radical and revolutionary approach. The Gilanis, by using violent means and organizing revolutionary forces, especially in the conquest of Tehran, had a significant impact on the political and social developments of that period. The key question of the present research is based on this issue; What historical role did the Gilani people play in the constitutional movement and what were the characteristics of the Gilan Constitutional Movement? This article analyzes the role of Gilani associations and press in promoting constitutional ideas and defending civil liberties. Also, the impact of Gilan's geography, livelihood, and international connections on the formation of intellectual and political radicalism in this region has been examined. Inspired by the ideas of Caucasian and European social democracy, especially during the period of the Minor Autocracy, the Gilani people tended towards radicalism and ultimately played a key role in the formation of the Second Parliament and the consolidation of the parliamentary system in Iran. By examining historical documents and sources, this article shows that the Gilani Constitutional Movement was not only a local movement, but also an influential current in the intellectual and political developments of contemporary Iran. The present article is examined using the historical method and in an analytical manner, using library and documentary data.

Keywords


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  • Receive Date 08 March 2025
  • Revise Date 02 May 2025
  • Accept Date 04 May 2025
  • Publish Date 19 February 2025