Fath-‘Ali Shah (1771-1834) whose reign coincided with
rivalry among France, Great Britain, and Russia over eastern affairs, ruled Iran
from 1797 to 1834. Under him, Iran became involved in a
war with Russia in 1804 concerning the sovereignty of Georgia, whose ruler had
transferred his allegiance from Persia to Russia. Fath- ‘Ali Shah purchased
peace by abandoning his claim in 1813, after several years of war. He also lost
Dagestan and Baku to Russia. In 1826 he took advantage of the recent death of
Tsar Alexander I to renew the war but was compelled by the peace of 1828 to make
an additional cession of territory acknowledging Russian sovereignty over the
entire area north of the Aras River, present-day Armenia and Azerbaijan.
(Adapted from Encyclopedias Britannica and Encarta)
