Journal of Diplomatics Studies and Research

Motivations and Describtion for Promoting the *Shahnameh* During the Pahlavi Era (Based on Documents)

https://doi.org/10.22034/dpr.2026.598844.1027
Volume 1, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
October 2026
Pages 222-261
Journal of Diplomatics Studies and Research

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

niloofar sadat abdollahi 1
Mehdi Nikmanesh 2

1 department of Persian language and literature- literature and humanities faculty- Alzahra university- iran- Tehran- post doctoral researcher

2 Associate Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract
Given its content and widespread popularity, the *Shahnameh* stands as a seminal literary work and is recognized as a national-cultural emblem of Iran. Throughout various eras, both grassroots and state-led efforts—driven by patriotism and nationalist sentiments—have been undertaken to promote the epic. At times, ruling powers pursued additional objectives alongside the primary goal of promoting the *Shahnameh*. These objectives were largely aligned with the interests of the state; often subtle in nature, they could only be discerned through careful analysis and reflection. The Pahlavi era offers a prime example of the *Shahnameh* being promoted with such multifaceted aims.During this period, we witness numerous and varied efforts to popularize the *Shahnameh*, aligning with the primary objective of promoting the work within society. At the same time, based on available documentation, it is evident that the Pahlavi government’s ambitions extended beyond merely popularizing the *Shahnameh* among the public; through the implementation of a long-term program, it sought to achieve certain secondary goals. Regardless of these other objectives or intended benefits, the efforts to popularize the *Shahnameh* left an enduring legacy, and the public—much like in other historical eras—embraced Ferdowsi’s timeless masterpiece.
These efforts proved enduring and left a lasting impression on the general public and the literary community. However, one cannot be as optimistic regarding the secondary objectives; these initiatives met with public favor only in certain spheres and failed to yield the results anticipated by the ruling establishment. This was because the secondary objectives prioritized the interests of the state, and only a segment of the population held the reigning monarch in high regard—meaning such policies resonated primarily with that specific group.
In this article, employing a library-based research method and drawing upon extant documents, we analyze the Pahlavi-era state initiatives aimed at promoting the *Shahnameh* to achieve objectives.

Keywords

Donation of manuscripts
research of documents
promotion of literary works
Pahlavi Era
Shahnameh of Ferdowsi
imitation texts of Shahnameh
Subjects
References:
Books
1.       Ehtesham Oliaei, Ali-Mohammad, (1956), *Iran and Reza Shah the Great*, Tehran: Ettehad Printing House.
2.       Ehtesham Oliaei, Ali-Mohammad, (1968), *Shahnameh-ye Aryamehr* (A masterpiece reflecting the White Revolution, comprising an account of the 24-year reign of His Imperial Majesty Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi up to the commencement of the celebrations marking the twenty-fifth year of this reign), 1st ed., Tehran: Ettehad Printing House.
3.       Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza, (1966), *The White Revolution*, Tehran: Pahlavi Royal Library.
4.       Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza, (1977), *Towards the Great Civilization*, Tehran: Tahoori.
5.       Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza, (1976), *Shahnameh-ye Enghelab-e Arzi-ye Iran* [The Epic of Iran's Land Reform]: Complete text of statements, messages, interviews, and writings of His Imperial Majesty Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shahanshah Aryamehr, regarding Iran's land reform, Vol. 1: Before the Revolution, 2nd ed., [n.p.]: [n.pub.].
6.       Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza, (1970), *Mission for My Country*, Tehran: The Translation and Publication Agency.
Articles:
7.       Esmaeili, Alireza, (2006), "Architecture of the Pahlavi Era as Narrated by Documents (1): The Tomb of Ferdowsi," *Golestan-e Honar*, Spring 2006, No. 3, pp. 99–110. Emam Jomeh-Zadeh, Seyyed Javad, and Hamidreza Esmaeili (2013), "An Analysis of Secularization Policies During the Pahlavi Era," *Rahyaft-e Enghelab-e Eslami* (Scientific-Research Quarterly), Spring 2013, Vol. 7, No. 22, pp. 45–64.
8.       Amiri Firuzkohi, Seyyed Karim (1978), "A Remembrance of Nobakht," *Vahid*, Second half of Khordad and first half of Tir 1357 [June–July 1978], Nos. 234 & 235, pp. 15–25.
9.       Jafari, Ali Akbar, and Mohaddeseh Ghanbari (2022), "Explaining the Promotion of Non-Islamic Lifestyles During the Second Pahlavi Era Based on Documents and Newspapers," *Tahghighat-e Asnadi-ye Enghelab-e Eslami* (Scientific Journal of Documentary Research on the Islamic Revolution), Spring and Summer 2022, Vol. 5, No. 9, pp. 87–113.
10.  Hadidi, Mokhtar (1998), "The Second Pahlavi Era and an Example of Ancient-Oriented Ideologies (A Look at Confidential Documents Regarding the Imperial Celebrations)," *Tarikh-e Mo'aser-e Iran* (Contemporary History of Iran), Spring 1998, No. 5, pp. 103–188.
11.   Khodadadi, Hassan, and Mohammad Kohandani (2022), "Causes of the Inefficiency of the White Revolution Ideology in Legitimizing the Pahlavi Political System," *Motale'at-e Enghelab-e Eslami* (Scientific Journal of Islamic Revolution Studies), Autumn 2022, Vol. 19, No. 70, pp. 135–154. Seyyed Bankdar, Seyyed Masoud, and Vahid Emami Jomeh (1404), "An Analysis of the Performance of Iranian Art and Industry Exhibitions in London (1930) and Leningrad (1935) in Presenting Iranian Civilization During the First Pahlavi Era (Based on Historical Documents)," *Ganjineh-ye Asnad* (Document Treasury), Spring 1404, No. 137, pp. 55–90.
12.  Sha'bani, Reza, Ghobad Mansourbakht, and Farshid Mehri (1397), "The Status of Religion and the Clergy in the Educational System of the First Pahlavi Era," *Pazhuhesh-nameh-ye Tarikh* (Journal of Historical Research), Vol. 13, Spring 1397, No. 50, pp. 99–123.
13.   Forouzesh, Sina, Ahmad Bavand Savadkouhi, and Reza Ebadi Jamkhaneh (1400), "An Analysis of the Battle Between Espahbad Khorshid and Mansur Abbasi Based on the Texts of *Tarikh-e Tabaristan*, *Tarikh-e Tabari*, and *Shahnameh-ye Nowbakht*," *Journal of History and Archaeology of Mazandaran*, Spring 1400, Year 2, No. 5, pp. 42–52.
14.   Ghaderpour, Zahra (1397), "Nowbakht and *Shahnameh-ye Nowbakht*," *Specialized Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Fiction and Poetry (Dastan-e Shiraz)*, Year 2, No. 5, Autumn 1397, pp. 97–106.
15.   Mostafavi, Seyyed Mohammad-Taghi (1344), "The Pahlavi Library: Iran's National Document Treasury," *Vahid*, Dey 1344, No. 25, pp. 22–28. Nobakht, Habibollah (1973), "The German Shahnameh: Rostam and Siegfried," in *Kariman*, Vahid, No. 112 (Farvardin 1352), pp. 26–34.
 
Documents:
16.   (These documents belong to the National Archives and Library of Iran, referred to by the acronym SAKMA, with the specific document number cited in each instance.)
17.   SAKMA, 3704/297
18.   SAKMA, 123314/297
19.   SAKMA, 3495/297
20.   SAKMA, 6587/297
21.   SAKMA, 68558/310
22.   SAKMA, 8052/264
23.   SAKMA, 5785/998
24.   SAKMA, 21211/297
25.   SAKMA, 23523/264
26.   SAKMA, 112324/240
27.   SAKMA, 200/297/94
28.   SAKMA, 19550/297
29.   SAKMA, 118908/293
30.   SAKMA, 113709/293
31.   SAKMA, 4182/293/99
32.   SAKMA, 17714/293/95
33.   SAKMA, 4015/297
34.   SAKMA, 0003-003144-200
35.   SAKMA, 0006-003144-200
36.   SAKMA, 002-563-069-293
37.   SAKMA, 0007-811-071-293
38.   SAKMA, 0002-002818-291
39.   SAKMA, 0003-002818-291
40.   SAKMA, 0004-000438-200
41.   SAKMA, 0010-000438-200
42.   SAKMA, 0014-000438-200
43.   Sakma, 0002-019261-297
44.   Sakma, 0002-000293-380
45.   Sakma, 0005-000293-380
46.   Sakma, 0006-000293-380.
 
  • Receive Date 24 August 2026
  • Revise Date 18 September 2026
  • Accept Date 24 September 2026

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