Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why did Agha Mohammad Khan choose Tehran as the Qajar dynasty’s capital in 1786?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Tehran
Mosque with cupola in the bazaar, Tehran.
Agha Mohammad Khan, the founder of the Qajar dynasty, selected Tehran as his capital in 1786 for two primary strategic reasons:
- Proximity to Power Base: The city was located near his traditional tribal territories, allowing him to maintain close ties to his power base.
- Political Isolation: Tehran was situated at a distance from former capitals that were still populated by elites and factions loyal to previous rulers, which helped him consolidate his authority and minimize opposition from established political rivals.1