Changes of Land Ownership in Sistan Province during Pahlavi I

In Sistan province Land has always been one of the most important factors of historical events and changes، so that during the centuries it has caused an ancient، consistent، everlasting landholding system conforming to the environmental، social and economic situations. This process had continued to Naser-al-dinshah time in the beginning of his era، lands of Sistan have been announced as properties owned by the government and were rented to the military generals and tribal chiefs (special tenants). With this change all different kinds of ownerships were deleted. This method had practiced till 1311 of solar year (1932)، but in that year by the government order some changes have been made in that method and lands of Sistan were announced as rental shares and were given to the native residents of Sistan province (public tenants). This method of tenancy had governed the land system of that area for 5 years from 1311-1316 (1932-1937). In 1316 (1937) the cabinet had approved the law of selling the lands of Sistan province، but this action had not ended the problems of lands and regional quarrels and had some consequences. Those endeavors had coincided the government’s efforts to reduce the power of military general landholders. In general the changes of land ownership in Sistan in Pahlavi I era can be categorized in three periods; tenancy، managing، and private. In this essay it has been tried to answer these questions: Why land reforms were made by Pahlavi I? What were the backgrounds and basis of land reform? What were the consequences of land reform and how the roles of land holders in the changes of this period are analyzed?