The Reform Movement in Isfahan, Iran: The Role of Bábís and Bahá’ís

This paper seeks to analyze and reassess the reform movement in Isfahan in the years leading up to the Constitutional Revolution in Iran, 1883–1906. In the first period, 1883–1906, two Azalí Bábís from Kirman, Shaykh Aḥmad Rúḥí and Mírzá Áqá Khán Kirmání, joined Sayyid Yaḥyá Dawlatábádí to form a group in Isfahan, although the evidence that they discussed much about reform is limited. The second period, 1886–1903, saw an active circle of reformers formed in Isfahan led by such figures as Maliku’l-Mutakallimín, Sayyid Jamálu’d-Dín Váʿiẓ and Majdu’l-Islám Kirmání and including about twelve other individuals. Each of these two periods ended with a persecution that drove the leading reformers out of Isfahan. Thus in the third phase, 1903–1906, a conservative governor Ẓillu’s-Sulṭán and reactionary clerics, led by Áqá Najafí, dominated Isfahan, having eliminated all discussion of reform. The second phase occupies most of the attention of this paper, especially since it is suggested that a revision is needed of some previous accounts of this period. It is the thesis of this paper that the evidence presented demonstrates that the main actors in this period were not Azalí Bábís as is usually stated but were either Bahá’ís or persons actively engaged with the Bahá’í community.