Mirza Jawad Khan Saʿd al-Dawla and His Role in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution 1905–1911

Abstract

Mirza Jawad Khan, known as Saʿd al-Dawla, was one of the prominent figures who left a clear imprint on the history of modern and contemporary Iran, particularly during the Constitutional Revolution (1905–1911). Until 1907, he was among the most ardent supporters of the revolution as a member of the parliament. However, he did not withstand the temptations of power and the pursuit of political influence for long. He shifted from the opposition camp to the royalist front, becoming one of the key figures aligned with Mohammad Ali Shah and serving as the head of the last cabinet during the so-called “Minor Autocracy” (1908–1909). His political role came to an end thereafter, despite his attempts to return to the political scene in 1911.