Analysis of Reza Shah Pahlavi's manner toward encounter with Qajar dynasty endowments

The Qajars (1795-1925) should be put among those rulers of Iran that by considering the prevalence of religious religiosity and livelihood, constantly maintained the appearance of religion and paid attention to the prosperity of religious institutions such as endowment and religious consumption of endowment resources. Endowment, the prevalence of which is also affected by the variables of political unrest, was highly regarded by the governing body and the general public during the Qajar period. When Reza Khan came to power, who sought to further weaken the institution of religion in the general sense and reduce the influence of the clergy in the specific sense, the Pahlavi dynasty sought to dominate the financial resources of the endowments as much as possible to increase its financial power and legitimacy and to reduce the financial strength of the rival institution - the clergy. The present study, using the historical contextual approach and also relying on some surviving documents, analyzes and categorizes Reza Khan's actions in dominating the endowments of the Qajar era. This study shows that Reza Khan's domination of the Qajar endowments is, in fact, part of his grand plan to overthrow the clergy and to continue his other challenges with them in the fields of education and justice.