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Glitters of empire
29-Oct-2007
"My Only Goal in Life is to honor the glory of my people and my land. I only have one wish and that is to preserve the independence and territorial integrity of my country and lead my people towards progress"
-- Mohamed Reza Shah Pahlavi taking Oath as King of Iran,
October 26th, 1967
Forty Years ago this month Iran was the
focus of world medias, not as a hostile nation, seeking to wipe out a
neighboring country from the surface of the planet, nor was it
suspected of being a nest for international terrorism, but as the
setting for a glittering event that would mark the destiny of a nation
and make televised history.
If Stanley Kubrick’s chilling comedy Dr. Strangelove had already warned the world on the dangers of Nuclear Proliferation, the term Axis of Evil was yet to be invented by a clumsy war mongering US President and no one questioned the reality of the Holocaust
as is the case by an equally foolish Iranian dictator. Man was to walk
on the Moon in hardly two years time, but world news was mostly
dominated by the atrocities of the Vietnam War and the Arab-Israeli
conflict.
In contrast, nothing seemed more refreshing as seeing an entire nation
about to celebrate the Coronation of its King and Queen in one of the
most glittering events of the 20th century. Truly, an Island of Stability, at the time in one of the most troubled regions of the planet, Iran, once known as Persia, A Land of a Thousand and One Nights, was coming to life and mesmerizing world viewers in front of their black & white TV screens.
On October 26th, 1967 Mohamed Reza Shah Pahlavi was to Crown himself and his wife Empress Farah (Diba) as respectively the Shah and Shahbanou
of Iran. It was also the very first time in 2500 years that a Persian
Queen was to be crowned and certainly a unique event to this day in any
Muslim country. And for that purpose, it was necessary to order a new
crown. The honor fell on the famous Parisian jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels, who created the most awesome crown, along with new parures to be worn by the sisters of the Shah at the Coronation.
Also specially ordered for the event was the Coronation Coach, made in
Vienna by Josef Klicmann. The carriage was sent by plane to Tehran in
pieces and was built there. In blue and gold, it was a replica of the
Austrian Imperial Carriage used by the Habsburgs.
This was one of the only harshly criticized expenses of the Coronation,
since the Imperial Couple already had a carriage, which had been used
by the Shah’s father in 1926, however it would be used again by the
Crown Prince during the procession.
The result was, nevertheless, marvelous and popular. A gilded crown, a
replica of the Pahlavi Crown, topped the carriage and in the door the
coat of arms of the Imperial Family was also in gold. It was decided
that the Coronation ceremony would be held in the magnificent Grand
Hall of the Golestan Palace, the dramatically stunning former home of
the Qajar Dynasty. This magnificent hall was dominated by the Sun
Throne, also known as the Peacock Throne, but before it was intended,
ever since being built, as a museum room. This remarkably long hall,
150 meters long, was one of those specially refurbished for the
occasion.
The fact that the Grand Hall could only take around 500 guests, made
that in the gardens of the Golestan special tribunes were built to
accommodate around 5000 other guests. The actual coronation ceremony
began as the corteges entered the stunning Grand Hall of the Golestan
Palace. All the eyes were fixed on the entrance of the room. The first
cortege brought smiles to all the faces and tears to many eyes.
Surrounded by four saluting officer with their swords unshielded, HIH
The Crown Prince Cyrus-Reza of Iran entered the Grand Hall with a
dignity many adults could not aspire to.
Three minutes later, the Shahbanou, followed by 6 maids of honor who
took care of the fantastic train of her impressive dress, had entered
the Grand Hall of the Golestan Palace. Like her son had done, the
Empress went to her chair, on what would be the right of her husband
and remained standing, waiting for her husband’s entrance. Her maids of
honor placed her dress’ train and took their places behind the throne,
standing.
Finally the Shah also entered the Grand Hall, preceded by three
generals, senior military officers of each of the three branches of the
Armed Forces: the Imperial Navy, the Air Force and the Ground Forces.
He was walking towards a ceremony that he had delayed for over a
quarter of a century and as he walked towards the Naderi Throne he
surely did so confident that his work would make Iran a modern country.
He reached the bejeweled throne and turned back to the entrance of the
room, standing.
The Empress curtsied when the Shah arrived at the throne. Three
Officers were to carry the Koran, the Imperial Crown’s of the Shah and
Shahbanou. The sight of those magnificent jewels, which would take an
essential part in the ceremonial, sparkled the amazement among the
large hundreds of guests. The Shah climbed on to the Naderi Throne and
remained motionless for about ten seconds, looking straight down the
room. Everyone remained standing. His Imperial Majesty then bowed at
right and at left, acknowledging the homage of the guests and inviting
everyone to seat.
Religion Oblige, spiritual leader of the country, known as the
Imam Jomeh, read some verses of the Koran, then the Coronation ritual
immediately began as the Shah, dressed himself in full regalia, of
Cloak and Sword one at each time.
Like Napoleon, the Shah would crown himself. The Shah, with swift
movements, took the crown and placed it on his head. Moments later he
Crown’s the Empress, presents his son as heir and takes Oath to Respect
the Constitution. Immediately, one hundred and one canon blasts sounded
through Tehran, marking the coronation of the sovereign, cheers were
heard throughout the country and as the people took to the streets
streets of the capital and prayers were said in the Mosques, a squadron
of the Imperial Iranian Airforce was to release 17705 bouquets of
narcissi flowers, the exact number of which corresponded to the days in
the life of the 48 year old new King.
If retrospectively History has not failed to note the Shah’s controversial reign, October 26th,
1967 was nevertheless to be remembered by most Iranians as a glittering
testimony that Iran had entered a new Era. Little could anyone suspect,
at the time, that hardly a decade later, the downfall of the 50 year
Old Pahlavi Dynasty would also mark the end of a 25 century Old
Institution that undeniably shaped the Persian Civilization and greatly
helped define our national identity.
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reply to Kaveh Nouraee
by Anonymous-haha (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 06:32 PM PDTOh my, another "patriotic" Iranian blaring his gargantuan patriotism, errr, monarchism.
Even spelling Muslim as Muslim is emulating Arabs. Darn, you sure have a fancy arabdar.except it was old and rusty that it spikes on whenever you made a fool of yourself by calling anyone who refused to praise your monarch as akhood and Arab.
Did any of you monarch worshippers really think those of us who hate your monarch as IR stalwart? Are you that dumb to believe: if you hate B then you must love A. QED.
Part of history? That part of history was triumphantly thrown by Iranian en masse in 1979.Did you still remember how the traitor flew to Egypt, to an Arab state to seek refuge? It is so hilarious when the Pahlavi worshippers bashed Arabs like hell but their own beloved monarch's grave is in Egypt - an Arab republic.whahahahaha.loser.
Next time when you visit his grave, remind him that his body was buried in an Arab land. That would add extra pain to his soul that is already rotting in hell. If you believe in hell and heaven, of course.
I fully agree the IR must go, but you Pahlavi worshippers are still dreaming the day your monarch will return to Iran and " save" Iran. Wake up losers.
Body
by Abol Danesh, University Professor (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 06:21 PM PDT-
To Kadivar: I Never Forget ......
by A G (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 06:06 PM PDTMr Kadivar:
At the time that this fool, Shahanshah AryaGOOZ was spending country's moneys on the "glorious past", our university's lab (in Tehran) had to shut down because they could not afford an equipment in the lab which had broken down and had to be replaced worth about $750 (yes, SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY dollars) (at the time). The excuse of university admin was that we don't have the budget and there was no money to buy the equipment and therefore the lab which was part of our required course of study had to shut down. Finally some haji bazari whose son was in our class, offered the money and there we went with our lab work with the new equipment donated by Haj Agha. According to some, the fool Shah AryaGOOZ spent in the upward sof $2 Billion Dollars for that foolish act. We all know the rest of story. Lets hope it will be a lesson for our glorious future generation.
A. G
To Kadivar: I Never Forget ......
by A G (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 06:06 PM PDTMr Kadivar:
At the time that this fool, Shahanshah AryaGOOZ was spending country's moneys on the "glorious past", our university's lab (in Tehran) had to shut down because they could not afford an equipment in the lab which had broken down and had to be replaced worth about $750 (yes, SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY dollars) (at the time). The excuse of university admin was that we don't have the budget and there was no money to buy the equipment and therefore the lab which was part of our required course of study had to shut down. Finally some haji bazari whose son was in our class, offered the money and there we went with our lab work with the new equipment donated by Haj Agha. According to some, the fool Shah AryaGOOZ spent in the upward sof $2 Billion Dollars for that foolish act. We all know the rest of story. Lets hope it will be a lesson for our glorious future generation.
A. G
Eskenaas
by Abol H Danesh (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 06:01 PM PDTDeggeh nabeenam ye roozee to eeroon ye nafar paa sheh begeh man emam zamanom vasseh man khar kosteh ain on khomeini kos kesh eskenaas chaap bezaneed...
Aggeh kheile esrar kard baa an barash eskenaas be jarayaan bendaazeen ke az boosh maloom besheh ke ghollabee eh...
Thank You DK
by Kaveh Nouraee on Mon Oct 29, 2007 05:24 PM PDTI hope one day, sooner rather than later, everyone will see how badly they blew it less than 12 years later. Thank you for bringing these snapshots of our history back to the forefront.
To Anonymous-haha:
That was never meant to be a symbol for the Moslem world (Why do you insist on spelling it muslim, like an Arab?) It was and is and always will be a symbol of Iran. The Persian Empire. Not the IRI, or the Arab Republic you crave.
Oh, and another thing: If that civilization was measured by the length of a skirt or the amount of alcohol consumed, then what is the basis of measurement for your bullshit IRI? The number of peopel hung? Shot? The number of children sent to the front? The amount of money given to your Arab cohorts? C'mon. Tell us. Is it the number of child brides? The number of kids that are molested?What is your measurement of civilization? Stand up and answer me. Crawl out from under your anonymous rock and defend yourself; that 's if you have the stones to do so, which I seriously doubt. Stand up for yourself and tell us who you are and be proud of it. You want to be an Arab parast and an akhoond, then stop hiding behind a mask. Halloween is for kids.
To Col. Hemayat: Why piss on Arabs? I'd rather they die of thirst.
Aryamehr
by Aryamehr (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 04:17 PM PDTMany thanks Darius-jAn for posting this excellent piece which is a thorn in many enemies' eyes. His Imperial Majesty's legacy and eternal memory is ingrained in the hearts of the new generation.
God bless our Empress Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi and legal heir to the throne of Iran His Imperial Majesty Reza Shah II.
May Iran rise from her ashes.
Crwon and AMAMEH: both can
by Anon (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 03:58 PM PDTCrwon and AMAMEH:
both can be used as urinal!
Crwon and AMAMEH: both can
by Anon (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 03:58 PM PDTCrwon and AMAMEH:
both can be used as urinal!
ravane pak
by NTM (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 03:44 PM PDTravane pake alahazrat dare taharate Nixon ro meegeereh. with a golden Aftabeh too. lol.
Dorood Bar ravane pake Shahanshah
by Parsua (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 03:36 PM PDTThank you Dariush Jon. You are a jewel.
A pity
by Manoucher Avaznia on Mon Oct 29, 2007 02:58 PM PDTI felt it would be a pity if I did not share some of my memories in this poem that you may also enjoy the glitters of the empire!
The Crowned Father
Was the nation's Dad.
He lived somewhere far.
He lived out of reach.
We were never told,
Perhaps out of fear,
Or precaution,
He had been crowned
Like his own father
By some remote hands.
He knew nothing
Of my words and tongue
And Nevertheless,
Stood for father.
Each bright morning
In chill of winter
And gloomy falls
In worn out cloths,
Semi-hungry
With our little mouths;
Stretched-out hands;
In front of god;
And colored flag,
With a pure heart;
By the force of fear
By different accent
We prayed for him.
Dared you open mouth
To criticize
Royal Family;
Or their close kin,
Or their far friends,
Or the government,
And the things they did!
Hence, you deduce,
If one day you said
Anything harmful
To His Majesty,
You had insulted
Universe as whole:
Core of the heavens,
And the almighty!
After all, Daddy
Had spent more time
"With his far friends"
Than any of us.
They were his buddies.
In their own schools,
By great teachers,
And philosophers;
Who trained the kings,
They had trained him
How to run the state,
And disperse justice,
And democracy!
Without any doubt
For the life style
Of Dad's and friends'
We were to pay high.
"For Daddy's friends"
We were dishonest:
Many million thieves
Living together
Like good brothers!
Many more insults
Poured in abundance
On us every day
Either through them
Or Daddy and gang.
Some Emperor!
by ff (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 02:49 PM PDTThe emperor is on the record as saying that he owes his Taj va Takht to the Americans. His own words not mine.
.
The guy wouldn't take a shit before asking the US ambassador for permission first. What glory!
.
Give it up and close that disgraceful chapter in our history and move on. We have another disgraceful chapter to close for now.
hairy Iranian asses
by Anonymous-haha (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 02:48 PM PDT"Kiss our Iranian Ass
by Colonel Hemayat on Mon Oct 29, 2007 01:25 PM PDT
I piss on Pakies, Turks, and Specially Arabs, who is with me?
Who is motherfucking with me???"
I am just curious, is Mein kampf your favorite book?Or is it at least the book your parents read to you before you sleep?
Luckily though,Colonel Hemayat didn't emphasize that Iranians are displaced white men surrounded by "barbaric" Arabs, Turks,Pakistanis,Kurds,Afghanis.
That's a good start.
Dariush This name really
by Ardeshir Keyvan (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 01:58 PM PDTDariush
This name really suits you. Salute!
monarchy, hold on to your wet dream
by markux (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 01:44 PM PDTAll monarchies are illegitimate, including this one which, by the way, was installed by the British, they gave it and took it away. Don't try to replace pain with pain. Not liking the mulla's is one thing but going back to your old pimp shows what a loser you pathetic people are. Grow up and think for yourselves.
Here I come
by Colonel Hemayat (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 01:16 PM PDTI can see my larger tahn life presence in real life as well as the virtual one along with D. Kadivar has become a pain in the ass for some people.
Sorry about that folks!!!!
Why should I cry and fume? They took his pictures off the walls but he was engraved into the heart of his people!! Every day, more and more Iranians say "God bless the Shah"
That is all he wanted, he once said:" When I go into the grave, I take nothing with me but a peice of white cloth, and the love of my people" he was right on both accounts.
Don't worry about me, you angry sore losers, this old soldier is alive, and kicking, I have been through one war and one revolution, these eyes have seen a lot of things.
Job well done
by Mahmoud (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 01:01 PM PDTBravo dairus. Keep up the good work and let the world know, how from greatness of monarchy we have fallen into the pit of dispair. Although the pit was dug for us 1400 years ago. We shall over come with the hard work of good people like you.
a symbol for the Muslim world - not
by Anonymous-haha (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:55 PM PDT"It was also the very first time in 2500 years that a Persian Queen was to be crowned and certainly a unique event to this day in any
Muslim country. "
If we could ignore the fact that Taj Mahal was built by another Muslim monarch for a Persian woman or that many of the Muslim kingdoms in India had had women as their sole leaders; or if we could simply ignore the fact that Roxelana, the wife of the Ottoman Sultan had held such a high status in the Muslim world,then the above quote would sound exquisite...
By reading the above article you'll think Iran was such a "civilized" nation under the Shah. But alas, that civilization was measured by the length of your skirts and the amount of alcohol you consumed and the amount of gems on your diadem.
Thank God, the peacock throne was overthrown by Iranians en masse.
you are truly persian
by Airlines pilot (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:48 PM PDTDoorod bar Darius,I sure want to thank you for putting up these wonderful pictures,to remind us who we were,and who we are now?keep on doing a good job.
Gooroohban Hemaghat
by Colonel2 (not verified) on Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:32 PM PDTWatch for Gooroohban Hemaghat salivate over H.I.M. (Hemayat In Mostarah). Come on Hemaghat lets see you cry and fume over this piece of royal thievery.