Proclamation of the Gilan Soviet Republic · Jomhuri-ye Shuravi-ye Gilan

Culture of origin: Gilak · Historical

Holiday sources: Gilak

In May 1920 the Soviet Caspian fleet under Fyodor Raskolnikov entered the port of Anzali, and Mirza Kuchik Khan's Jangali partisans, with Soviet help, took Rasht. On 15 Khordad 1299 (5 June 1920) they proclaimed the Persian Socialist Soviet Republic, with Mirza as chairman of its Council of People's Commissars. Within weeks he left Rasht in protest, opening the way for the communists of the Edalat party to take over by a coup in late July, with Ehsanollah Khan at the head of the new government. After the Russo-Persian Treaty of Friendship of February 1921 the Soviets withdrew, the central government, strengthened by Reza Khan's coup, took back Gilan, and the republic ended in September 1921.