Iran and Russian Imperialism: The Ideal Anarchists, 1800-1914

Rather than a centralized state, Iran in the nineteenth century was a delicate balance between tribal groups, urban merchant communities, religious elites, and an autocratic monarchy. While Russia gained an increasingly dominant political role in Iran over the course of this century, Russian influence was often challenged by banditry on the roads, riots in the cities, and the seeming arbitrariness of the Shah.

Iran and Russian Imperialism develops a comprehensive picture of Russia’s historic...