The Plunder of Ardabil during the Constitutional Period: Insights from a Newly Discovered Document—The Report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Agent to the Second National Consultative Assembly

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 University of Tabriz, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, Department of History

2 Assistant Professor, Department of History, Payam Nour University, Ardabil, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of History and Civilization of Islamic Nations, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

10.30484/ganj.2025.3287

Abstract

Purpose: Documentary historiography holds significant importance in crafting a more precise narrative of historical propositions; the newly discovered ‘Report of the Foreign Ministry Agent on the Looting of Ardabil in 1327 AH’ serves as a primary source, facilitating a detailed analysis of this event and its consequences, thereby contributing to the micro-historical understanding of the Constitutional Era. Therefore, the Purpose of the present study is to investigate the looting of Ardabil in 1327 AH and its consequences based on the report of the Foreign Ministry Agent.
Method and Research Design: This study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach, relying on the document text and library sources.
Findings and Conclusion: The document provides new evidence regarding the roles of local actors and the economic and social consequences of the looting of Ardabil. According to the document’s account, Russian obstructionism, the halt of government forces in Sarab, and the flight of Sattar Khan led to the collapse of Ardabil’s resistance. Following the entry of royalist forces, the city’s inhabitants endured severe economic repercussions, including the destruction of markets and surrounding villages, loss of capital, reduced income from passport issuance, and migration of the workforce to Baku. The social ramifications persisted for an extended period, encompassing damage to neighborhoods, homes, and sacred shrines, murder, looting, torture, widespread poverty, insecurity, homelessness, loss of family guardians, and the dominance of Russia and Armenians over the city.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

English Translation of References
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Ketāb-xāneh, Muzeh va Markaz-e Asnād-e Majles-e Šorā-ye Eslāmi (Kemām) (Library, Museum and Document Center of Iran Parliament):
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Ganjine-ye Asnad
Volume 35, Issue 3 - Serial Number 139
September 2025
Pages 61-94

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 24 May 2025
  • Accept Date: 01 August 2025

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