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Hassan Modarres

1870 – 1937

Prime Minister of Iran

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About Hassan Modarres

Lived 1870 – 1937 (aged 66–67). Hassan Modarres was an Iranian politician and theologian.

Hassan Modarres (; , Sarabeh1 December 1937, Kashmar) was an Iranian Twelver Shi'a cleric and a notable supporter of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution. He was among the founding members, along with Abdolhossein Teymourtash, of the reformist party Hezb-e Eslaah-talab, which was formed during the fourth national Majlis of Iran. He has been called "brave and incorruptible" and "perhaps the most fervent cleric supporter of true constitutional government".

Biography The sources disagree on his birthplace. Some mention that he was born in Ardestan around 1870, while others mention that he was born in a village named Sarābe-Kachou near Ardestan in the early 1870s, and that he moved to Shahreza when he was six.

Activities Having studied Islamic sciences in Isfahan and Najaf, Modarres became a religious teacher in an Isfahan's madrasa. The name Modarres, which means "teacher", is because of his job there. In 1910, he was chosen by Najaf's cleric community and sent to Tehran to supervise the laws passed by the Majlis, to make sure they did not violate the rules of sharia. Later, in 1914, he was elected as a Majlis representative of Tehran.

In 1916, during World War I, he migrated to Iraq, Syria, and Turkey together with a handful of other politicians, and served as the Minister of Justice in a cabinet formed in exile by Nezam os-Saltaneh. After returning to Iran, he was elected in the Majlis elections a few more times. Modarres fought against the presence of British forces in Persia, vigorously opposing the proposed 1919 agreement that would have transformed Iran into a British protectorate.

In the early 1920s, he played a role in preventing Reza Khan (the prime minister at the time) from abolishing the monarchy (the Qajar dynasty) and declaring a republic, and less successfully opposed Reza Khan's deposing of the Qajar dynasty in 1925. Sayyed Modaress was openly critical of Reza Shah's rule and was placed under imprisonment in retaliation for his criticisms. A few years after a November 1926 assassination attempt against him, Modarres was expelled to Khaf and later to Kashmar.

Death He was killed in prison in December 1937. His death is regarded as martyrdom and the martyrdom day (10th of Azar) is known in Iran as Majlis day (day of the parliament). According to Tasnim he was poisoned in prison and then suffocated while praying.

Tomb of Hassan Modarres

The Tomb of Sayyid Hassan Modarres is the burial site of Seyyid Hassan Modarres, former prime minister of Iran. It was built in 1937 in Kashmar, Iran, as opposed to using the former tomb of Kashmar in the vast gardens of Kashmar. The tomb building consists of a central dome, four dock and a dome made of turquoise, in the style of Islamic architecture and Safavid architecture.

Hassan Modarres Museum

The Hassan Modarres Museum is a Museum belongs to the 21st century and is located in Kashmar, Razavi Khorasan province, Iran.

Reception Modarres is depicted on the obverse of the Iranian 100 rials banknote.

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Important facts

Born
1870, Sarabeh, Isfahan Province
Birth century
Nationality
Education
Najaf Seminary
Positions held
Member of the National Consultative Assembly

People in Hassan Modarres's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Hassan Modarres's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Hassan Modarres?

Prime Minister of Iran (1870-1937)

When was Hassan Modarres born?

Hassan Modarres was born in 1870 in Sarabeh, Isfahan Province.

When did Hassan Modarres die?

Hassan Modarres died on 1 December 1937 in Kashmar.

What was Hassan Modarres's occupation?

Hassan Modarres was a politician and theologian.

What nationality was Hassan Modarres?

Hassan Modarres was Iranian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Hassan Modarres

· Wikidata: Q589068

· DBpedia: Hassan Modarres

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hassan Modarres. https://biography.guide/hassan-modarres/

MLA: "Hassan Modarres." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hassan-modarres/.

Chicago: "Hassan Modarres." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hassan-modarres/.

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