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Pictorial History of Iranian Flags
Iran Flags' History
a book by Ahreeman X

Chapter Ten
Iran's Ethnic and Short Lived Republics Flags

Flag of Gilan (Jun 5th 1920 - Oct 23rd 1921)
Gilan Republic - Capital: Rasht
Revolt ended and Republic eliminated by Reza Khan. Integrity of Iran had been saved by Reza Khan.

Gilanis are very independent, intelligent and brave people. Despite the past issues, they remain as strong Iranian Nationalists. In 1915 the liberal and progressive people of Iran created the movement named Jangali [from Jangal (forest), since the movement was born in the Gilan forest] under the leadership of Mirza Kuchik Khan, Ehsan Allah Khan and other liberal people (named Azadikhahan) and constitutionalist people (Mudjahedin). A Revolutionary Committee were created; German, Austrian and Turkish (WWI Axis) officers trained the Jangali volunteers. The movement spread to Gilan and a great part of Mazandaran.

In March 1918 an attack against Qazvin failed. A treaty with the British (August 12th 1918) granted to Mirza Kuchik Khan the domain of Gilan, and the German, Austrian and Turkish instructors were sent back to their countries. In 1919 the Cossacks (in the Persian governments' service) seized the territory of the Jangali. In 1920 the Soviets helped the rest of the remaining people of the Jangali movement. A Soviet ship attacked Anzali (Bandar Pahlavi) (May 18th 1920) and Soviet troops took possession of Rasht, Gilan's capital.

A new Committee were formed and on June 5th 1920, Mirza Kuchik Khan proclaimed the Socialist Soviet Republic of Persia, and the Soviet Republic of Gilan, with the flag shown. After the treaty between USSR and Iran (February 26th 1921) the Soviet troops retired from Gilan (September 8th 1921) and in October the country was seized by Reza Khan (later on Reza Shah). Mirza was captured and executed. Oct 23rd 1921 marked the end of the Jangali Revolt and Gilan Republic. The word Kaveh on the flag is the name of an Ancient Persian Legendary Revolutionary who caused an uprising against a Tyrant Zahak. He was an Ironsmith who were leading a rebellion against the Totalitarian Ruler. So, the Gilani people were referring to an earlier revolutionary. Gilan has the most beautiful shores, beaches and the green fertile lands in Iran.

Flag of Azerbaijan
Azadistan Republic (1920)
Republic of Azerbaijan (Azadistan) - Capital: Tabriz
Revolt ended and Republic eliminated by Reza Khan. Integrity of Iran had been saved by Reza Khan.

Flag of Azerbaijan
Repbulic of South Azerbaijan - Capital: Tabriz
Flag of Republic of South Azerbaijan (December 10th 1945 - December 11th 1946)
Revolt ended and Republic eliminated by Mohamad Reza Shah. Integrity of Iran had been saved by Mohamad Reza Shah.

Flag of Kurdistan
Republic of Mahabad - Capital: Mahabad
Republic of Mahabad (January 22nd 1946 - December 15th 1946)
Revolt ended and Republic eliminated by Mohamad Reza Shah. Integrity of Iran had been saved by Mohamad Reza Shah.


Flag of Al Ahwaz Liberation Organization (ALO)
The origin of the Arab Rebellions of Khuzestan started with Sheikh Khaz'al.
Revolt ended and Republic eliminated by Reza Khan. Integrity of Iran had been saved by Reza Khan.

His full name was Sheikh Khaz'al Khan ibn al Haji Jabir. He basically ruled an autonomous Sheikhdom. His Sheikhdom were called "Shaikhdom of Mohammerah" (Today's Khoramshahr province of Khuzestan). He ruled during 1897 - 1925. Later on he named Khuzestan, State of "Arabistan" with the capital of Mohammerah (Khoramshahr)!

On 1925 Reza Khan used extreme force and ended all Arab Revolts and also ended Sheikh Khaz'al's Rebellion. Sheikh Khaz'al were held under house arrest in Tehran. Later on Sheikh Khaz'al died in Tehran. The province were renamed Khuzestan and later on, the city changed name to Khoramshahr.

Al Ahwaz roots goes back to Al Sa'adeh Party. In 1946 the Al Sa'adeh Party was established in a first attempt to unify the struggle for independence of Arabs. Chairman Faleh Abdullah al Mansouri fled to Holland in 1989, and now lives in Maastricht. Since 1990 several Al Ahwaz groups have cooperated in the Al Ahwaz Liberation Organisation (ALO). The ALO flag has equal proportions and consists of three equal horizontal stripes of red, white and black. In the center of the white stripe is a green five pointed star in a thin green circle. The red stripe stands for the war of independence, sacrifice and the defense of Al Ahwaz (another Separatist name for Khuzestan). The white stripe stands for peace, purity and friendship. The black stripe stands for the darkest depths of the deep sea. The star stands for the greatness and glory of the Arabs or Al Ahwaz. The circle represents the people around Al Ahwaz (The Star).

Flag of Front for Liberation of Arabistan (FLA)
This vertical flag represents FLA whom same as Sheikh Khaz'al, they refer to Khuzestan as Arabistan! FLA is a separatist movement.

Ahwazi Arabic Revolution (AAR)
Flag with the crescent and star represents this scattered group of separatists named AAR.

Ethnic Groups of Iran and Federalism

Ethnic groups of Iran are very proud nationalists and they love Iran; however, they seek internal autonomy in their internal affairs. Iran is a vast nation with many ethnic groups. If we do not desire separatist movements, then we must find a solution. The solution is called Federalism. Ethnic Groups want to remain Iranian and Iranian Citizens, yet they seek internal autonomy. Federalism would be the most suitable system of government to satisfy these needs. In a Federal System, states have absolute internal autonomy in their affairs. They only look upon the central government for International diplomatic policies, International trades, and military decisions. Everything else will be managed inside states. Iranian Federalism dates back to Achaemenid Empire where all Khashtarahs (States) were autonomous, yet together they formed the greatest and sole superpower on earth, named The Persian Empire. If we want a strong Iran with satisfied ethnic groups, then Iranian Federalism is the way to go.


Flag of Azeri Iranians
Azeris are the second largest ethnic group in Iran. Azeris are originally of The Median Tribe of The Three Original Aryan Tribes of Iran which used to be located at the North West and West of Iran. Azerbaijan has a specific ethnic flag of her own.

Flag of Kurdistan
Kurdish Iranians are distributed in a few Western States of Iran including: Kurdistan, Kermanshah, ILam, Western Azerbaijan and Hamedan. Kurds are originally of The Median Tribe of The Three Original Aryan Tribes of Iran which used to be located at the North West and West of Iran. Kurds are brave warriors and independent people. Kurds have their own ethnic flag.

Flag of Arab Iranians
Arab Iranians of The State of Khuzestan and vicinity are of an ancient culture. They have their own special flag.

Flag of Baluchi Iranians
Iranian Baluchistan Banner
The flag of the Baluchi Iranians living in South East of Iran. Baluchis are brave people, one of Iran's leading minorities. They are by tradition Sunni, same as Turkmens, Arabs and Kurdish Iranians.

Flag of Turkmen Iranians
The Iranian Turkmen are a distinguished Minority living in South Eastern Shores of The Caspian Sea and The North Eastern part of Iran in states of Golestan and Khorasan. Turkmen are of Oriental and Turkish Races. Many Turkmen are a mix of Aryan with Oriental and Turk.

Flag of Lor Iranians
Lors live in Lorestan province of Iran in the west. Lors are ancient people with a long history of bravery and honesty.

Flag of Gilan
Gilak people are extremely intelligent and cultural people. They are very independent. Gilan Province if not the most, then is one of the most fruitful and fertile provinces of Iran. The word Kaveh on the flag is the name of an Ancient Persian Legendary Revolutionary and a freedom fighter who caused an uprising against an Arab Tyrant named Zahak. He was an Ironsmith who were leading a rebellion against the Totalitarian Ruler. He put a piece of leather on a spear, which named Derafsh Kaviyani (Banner of Kaveh) to lead the rebellion. Fact or fiction, myth of Kaveh lives on. Therefore, the Gilani people (Gilaks) were referring to Kaveh as a symbolic leader. Gilan has the most beautiful shores, beaches and the green fertile lands in Iran. Gilan is so rich in agriculture, seafood and cattle, which can feed the whole Iran.

Flag of Persians
Persians are the largest ethnic group in Iran. Persians are originally of the Persian Tribe of The Three Original Aryan Tribes of Iran which used to be located at the South and Central Iran. The Three Aryan Tribes were Persia (Pars), Media (Mad) and Parthia (Part). Achaemenid and Sassanid were of The Persian Tribe, while Medians were of The Median Tribe and Ashkanid (Arsacid) were of The Parthian Tribe. Persians have a flag (green over white over yellow). I believe that the use of this flag was suppressed after 1919, and it only has been used later on by some Persian Ultra-Nationalists. The ethnic Persian Flag defines in this manner:

Green: Aryan Fertile Lands
White: Aryan Pure Race
Yellow: Aryan Light and Wisdom

This flag is the Ethnic Flag of Persians.

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