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GOZALOVA, Nigar
The Diplomatic Relations of Qajar Iran with Ottoman Empire (1800 – 1828)
The relations between Persia and the Ottoman Empire were characterized by terrible and bloody wars during the
sixteenth, seventeenth and the main part of the eighteenth centuries. The origin of the long Ottoman-Iranian feuds was
derived from these each vied with the other for the establishment of domination in Iraq. In fact, Iraq was constantly changing
hands. Towards the close of the XVIII th century a change becomes apparent in the general course of Ottoman-Iranian
relations; after 1780 only once did the rivalry between them find an outlet in military collision. This change can be ascribed
partly to the fact that both the Ottomans and the Qajars had gradually lost their former dynamic impulse, and had suffered a
considerable diminution of power and partly to the fact that they were both exposed to the increasing menace of a powerful
neighbor, Russia.
In these study an attempt is made to study the diplomatic relations of Qajar Iran during the years in which Russian
political, strategic and economic dominance was eventually established in the north, and the ascendancy of the British
in the south, and a promising start was made in the difficult task of bringing to an end the dissensions of long standing
between Ottoman Empire and Qajar Iran. For Iran, the Russian question not only overshadowed her relations with Great
Britain but it should also be considered the most influential factor in Qajar’s policy towards Ottoman Empire. This brought
the two powers face to face with a more formidable problem. Qajar policy in seeking alliance with Ottoman Empire proved
unworkable, partly because of the lack of a genuine understanding between Iran and Ottoman Empire and partly because
of the British efforts to prevent such a conclusion.
The paper relies on official and semi-official Caucasian and Russian historiography, contemporary Turkish and
British accounts, as well some secondary sources.
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