Ardeshir Reporter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ardeshir Ji Reporter
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| Born | 22 August 1865 Mumbai, India
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| Died | 1932 Iran
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| Education | Science, Political Studies and History |
| Occupation | Reporter, Agent |
| Era | Qajar dynasty, Pahlavi dynasty |
| Spouse(s) | Shireen Banoo |
| Children | Shapoor, Edelji, Jamshid, Laal |
Ardeshir Reporter (1865–1932) was born into a Zoroastrian Parsee family in Bombay, India, on August 22, 1865. He became a secret agent for British Intelligence in Iran. He lived and worked in Iran as a secret agent starting in 1893. His public job was a reporter for The Times newspaper.
Ardeshir Reporter played a key role in Iranian history. He introduced General Ironside to Reza Khan. Ironside then encouraged Reza Khan to take power. Ardeshir himself claimed he found Reza Khan and guided him. This led to Reza Khan's military takeover on February 22, 1921. This event helped establish the Pahlavi dynasty. Reza Khan later became Reza Shah of Iran in 1925. Ardeshir Reporter passed away in Tehran in 1932. His son, Shapoor Reporter, also became a British secret agent in Iran. He served the Pahlavi family after Reza Shah's death.
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Ardeshir's Life as an Agent
Ardeshir was born in Bombay. He went to Britain to study science, politics, and history. After finishing his studies, he returned to India at age 27. He was then sent to Iran to lead the Parsi community there.
His Many Roles in Iran
While in Iran, Ardeshir held several important jobs. He was a political advisor to the British Embassy. He also led Iran's Parsi community. He worked as a representative for the Tata Group company. And, as mentioned, he was a reporter for The Times London.
In his own writings, Ardeshir said his main goal was to watch Iran's political changes. He reported these back to India. He spent 40 years in Iran. This was a time of big political changes. It started before Naser al-Din Shah Qajar was assassinated. It ended with Reza Shah taking power. Ardeshir saw himself as an active participant, not just an observer. He even taught at the Tehran School of Law and Political Science.
His Role in Major Events
Some records suggest Ardeshir was active in a French secret society in 1906. He had strong connections with important Iranian and British figures. This helped him play a big part in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution. His name is listed among the founders of a secret group. This group worked to connect people who wanted a constitution. They also published papers against the monarchy. Some historians believe he helped get British approval for constitutionalists to seek safety at the British embassy in 1906. This event led to Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar granting a constitution.
Ardeshir wrote about his important mission to find a leader. This leader would come from the Persian Cossack Brigade. The goal was to overthrow the Qajar dynasty. This would remove Ahmad Shah, the last Qajar king. Ardeshir openly described how he guided Reza Khan. This guidance happened before and after Reza Khan became king. He stated that Winston Churchill, Britain's Minister of Defence, ordered him to help Reza Khan. Ardeshir said he introduced Reza Khan to William Edmund Ironside. Ironside then helped Reza Khan take over Tehran.
Guiding Reza Shah
In his writings, Ardeshir shared his ideas for ruling Iran. He explained how he gently pushed Reza Khan toward these ideas. Some of his main suggestions included:
- Dealing with Nomadic Groups: He advised Reza Khan to reduce the power of different ethnic and nomadic groups. He believed this would create a stronger central government. Ardeshir claimed he lived with these groups for over 15 years.
- Role of Religious Leaders: He tried to convince Reza Khan that religious leaders should not hold political power.
- Choosing Foreign Allies: Reza Khan was part of a group that favored Russia. But Ardeshir, as a British agent, highlighted the problems with a long-term alliance with Russia. He argued that Britain would be a better and more helpful ally.
Ardeshir's son, Shapoor Reporter, later continued his father's work. He became a top British agent in Iran during Mohammad Reza Shah's rule.
Ardeshir and the Parsi Community
Ardeshir Reporter also served as the head of Iran's Parsi community. However, some members of the community were not happy with his leadership. In 1915, Zoroastrians from Kerman sent a message to Iran's government. They said they did not approve of Ardeshir as their leader. They felt his actions caused disagreements instead of unity. They asked for an Iranian leader instead of someone from overseas. They also mentioned that his political actions were controversial. They felt these actions did not match the true goals of the Zoroastrian community in Iran.
Images for kids
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Ardeshir Reporter's handwritten biography
