Dismissal and Demise
From the get-go, Amir Kabir’s policies incited animosity within the influential circles of Iranian elite – most notable being the inner circle of the monarchy whose pensions and income were slashed by his financial reforms and policies. He was also later opposed by those who envied for his numerous posts and were backed strongly by foreign powers – whose influence had diminished strongly under his leadership. A coalition was thus formed among this opposition whose prominent members consisted of the Queen Mother, Mahd Ulm, Mirza Aqa Khan Nuri - Amir Kabir’s lieutenant and British subservient - and Mirza Yususf Ashtiyani - the Court’s chief accountant and Russian subservient.
As the adolescent Nasir al-Din Shah began to exert his own independence in government, he was strongly influenced by his the Queen Mother. Through her influence, Amir Kabir was demoted solely to the chief of the army and replaced by Nuri as the premier. This transition marked a rejection “ of…reformist measures in favor of the traditional practices of government.” The power struggle in government finally resulted in his arrest and expulsion from the capital under continued countering Russian and British meddling and involvement. Amir Kabir was sent to Kashan under duress and kept in isolation by the Shah's decree. His execution was ordered six weeks later after the Queen mother and his executioner, Ali Khan Farash-bashi, had convinced the King that Amir Kabir would soon be granted immunity by the Russians – possibly allowing him to make an attempt to regain control of the government with force. The young Shah may have been inclined to believe these accusations because of the certain arrogance and disdain for protocol that Amir Kabir had shown since the beginning of his government career in Tabriz.
In the end, Amir Kabir was murdered in Kashan on January 10, 1852. With him, many believe, died the prospect of an independent Iran lead by meritocracy rather than nepotism.
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