The Role of Colonial Treaties in Undermining the Political Legitimacy of the Qajar State

Abstract

The Qajar dynasty, during one of the most critical periods of Iran’s political history, faced a severe legitimacy crisis following a series of colonial treaties with foreign powers such as Russia and Britain. This study, using a descriptive-analytical method and historical approach, examines five major agreements—Golestan, Turkmenchay, Reuter, D'Arcy, and the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907—evaluating their role in eroding the Qajar regime's political legitimacy. Findings indicate that these treaties not only resulted in territorial and economic losses, but also triggered widespread political disillusionment, damaged the monarchy's image, and contributed to the development of new public discourses. The Qajar state, increasingly perceived as a foreign-dependent and ineffective authority, lost its traditional sources of legitimacy. This delegitimization facilitated the emergence of nationalist and justice-seeking ideologies, empowered the intellectual and religious opposition, and ultimately led to the Constitutional Revolution. Furthermore, the regime’s superficial reactions to criticism and its structural incapacity for reform reveal its failure to regain public trust. The article recommends future comparative studies between the Qajar era and either the Pahlavi period or pre-colonial Iranian dynasties to explore deeper connections between foreign policy, international agreements, and domestic political legitimacy.