نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسنده English
Abstract:
The present study examines 197 documentary folios dating from 18 March 1933 to 9 April 1936, relating to the period of Crown Prince Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s education in Switzerland. Employing a historical research methodology grounded in the critical analysis of documentary sources, the study seeks to address the following questions: What new conception of the educational requirements of the crown prince during the modern era of Iranian history emerges from these documents? And how is Reza Shah represented in these sources—as both a father and a monarch preparing his heir for future leadership?
The study argues that the crown prince’s education was a continuation of the educational transformations that had unfolded within Iranian society during the late Qajar period. Similar to the education received by the children of Iran’s political and social elite, it embodied a hybrid model that integrated both Iranian and European educational traditions, drawing upon indigenous cultural values while simultaneously embracing contemporary global developments in education. Furthermore, the documents offer a previously overlooked portrayal of Reza Shah. Contrary to the dominant image of an uncompromisingly authoritarian ruler, they depict a concerned and often anxious father, deeply invested in his son’s future and, despite his commitment to modernization, still attached to the traditional paternal responsibilities expected within Iranian society.
The documents also provide a wealth of information regarding the crown prince’s educational program, academic achievements and grades, intellectual interests, recreational activities, dietary regimen, personal views, and relationships with school authorities and fellow students. Such evidence offers valuable insight into the formative years of the future monarch and the broader cultural and educational dynamics that shaped elite upbringing in modern Iran.
کلیدواژهها English
