Ghassem Khan Vali (1878–1933; fa, سردار همايون والی قاسم), otherwise and better known by his military title of Sardar Homayoun, the son of

Ali Khan Vali Ali Khan Vali ( fa, علی خان والی, 1262 - 1318 Islamic calendar, Hijri; c. 1845 CE - c. 1901 CE) was an Iranian photographer and political figure of the era of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, Naser al-Din Shah and Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar, Moz ...

and grandson of was the first

Imperial Iranian Army , founded = , current_form = ( Islamic Republic) , disbanded = , branches = , headquarters = Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Tehran , website = , commander-in-chief = Maj. Ge ...

general to graduate from the prestigious Saint-Cyr Military School in France, which was founded by

Napoléon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

in 1802.

Life

During the Overthrow of the Qajar dynasty, Sardar Homayoun was encouraged by the local politicians and moderates, backed by Edmund Ironside, 1st Baron Ironside and the

British Government ga, Rialtas a Shoilse gd, Riaghaltas a Mhòrachd , image = HM Government logo.svg , image_size = 220px , image2 = Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (HM Government).svg , image_size2 = 180px , caption = Royal Arms , date_es ...

, to become the

Shah of Persia Iranian monarchism is the advocacy of restoring the monarchy in Iran, which was abolished after the 1979 Revolution. Historical background Iran first became a constitutional monarchy in 1906, but underwent a period of autocracy during the years ...

(his ancestry as a member of the Qajar dynasty supported his claim to the throne). He declined out of his loyalty to Ahmad Shah, although it was stated that it was out of his fear for his family's safety and his moral reluctance to use force against his countrymen, a measure which was inevitable for the maintenance of the monarchy. His reluctance was seen as cowardice by the British, who later gave the position to Reza Shah Pahlavi. During Reza Shah's reign, Vali was appointed commander of the Cossack Division in Northern Iran. He was the first Mayor of Tabriz in 1908, (see

list of Tabriz Mayors Tabriz is a city authority lies with the mayor, who is elected by a municipal board. The municipal board (City Council) is periodically elected by the city residents. Saat Hall is used as the municipal central office or city hall and municipality ...

), and as a modern man, he was at the origin of the first electrical generator to Tabriz. He also introduced the first metallic printing press in Iran. Sardar Homayoun also was one of the first modern economists in Iran. He retired soon after to his family's estate to pursue writing and farming. An

aristocrat The aristocracy is historically associated with "hereditary" or "ruling" social class. In many states, the aristocracy included the upper class of people (aristocrats) with hereditary rank and titles. In some, such as ancient Greece, ancient Ro ...

by birth, he believed in the character conferred by military education and discipline.

Family

His cousin, Doust Mohammad Khan Moayer ol-Mamalek, was the son-in-law of

Nasser al-Din Shah Naser al-Din Shah Qajar ( fa, ناصرالدین‌شاه قاجار; 16 July 1831 – 1 May 1896) was the fourth Shah of Qajar Iran from 5 September 1848 to 1 May 1896 when he was assassinated. He was the son of Mohammad Shah Qajar and Malek ...

who married his daughter Princess Esmat os-Saltaneh. He had five daughters and two sons. His sons, Ebrahim and Ali Vali, also served in the

as generals during the reign of

Mohammad Reza Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ( fa, محمدرضا پهلوی, ; 26 October 1919 – 27 July 1980), also known as Mohammad Reza Shah (), was the last ''Shah'' (King) of the Imperial State of Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow in the Irani ...

. Image:Sadabad 1.jpg, Sardar Homayoun at the Sa'dabad Complex Image:Sadabad 2.jpg, Sardar Homayoun at the Sa'dabad Complex Image:Sadabad 3.jpg, Sardar Homayoun at the Sa'dabad Complex Image:Sadabad 4.jpg, Sardar Homayoun at the Sa'dabad Complex Image:Sardar_Homayoun_Rolce_Royce.jpg, Sardar Homayoun at the steering wheel of a Rolls-Royce Image:Sardar_in_electricity_plant.jpg, Sardar Homayoun at the first electricity plant in Tabriz Image:Old_Qonqa.jpg, The first tramway in Tabriz

References

Black CoupIran and the Rise of Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Power - by Cyrus Ghani - p.140

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghassem Khan Vali, Sardar Homayoun Imperial Iranian Army major generals École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr alumni 1870s births 1933 deaths Mayors of Tabriz