New Perspective on ‘Jungle Movement’

A new perspective of the so-called ‘Jungle Movement’ in Gilan has been released by Tehran-based Namak Publication.

It deals with a small part of history between 1915 and 1921 based on the historical observations of scholar, historian, philosopher and poet Ayatollah Seyed Mohammad Bahrololoum Qazvini (1878-1953), IBNA reported.

‘History of Mirza Kuchak Khan, a Different Account of Jungle Movement’ is the title of the new book in 104 pages brought to publication by contemporary historian and literary researcher Mehdi Nour Mohammadi, 45. It is considered a small but significant account of the Jungle Movement in Gilan, a rebellion against the monarchist rule of the Qajar government, launched in 1915 by revolutionary and nationalist Mirza Kuchak Khan (1880-1921), an activist in the preceding Constitutional Revolution movement (1905-1911) that led to the establishment of a parliament in Iran.

Bahrololoum in his work follows Mirza Kuchak from the time he entered the jungle till his death in Talesh Mountains around Masal in Gilan Province. He notes his presence in the environs of Mirza Kuchak and his comrades, and stresses that he recorded historical facts without imposing his own personal opinion.

However, a look through his work shows that the writer was not well-disposed to Mirza Kuchak, says Nour Mohammadi. When the Constitutional Movement started, opening the way for cataclysmic change in Iran, Bahrololoum returned to Iran from the city of Najaf in central Iraq, joined the movement and started giving public speeches.

But too many opportunities and possibilities had been created by the Constitutional Movement. Different groups fought to shape its course and eventually Bahrololoum left the movement, seeing it as a deviation.

His disagreement continued with the Jungle Movement that was a repercussion of the Constitutional Movement. “This creates a different perspective on the historical events, which is a valuable opportunity for further studies,” says Nour Mohammadi.

No doubt, Bahrololoum has shed light on some dark sides in this part of Iran’s history. Among the notable pieces of information provided in the new work for the first time are those given on Mirza Kuchak’s parents and ancestry.