In 1925, the parliament of Iran removed
Ahmad Shah Qajar from power, and Reza Shah was crowned as the new monarch, founding the
Pahlavi dynasty. During his reign, he focused on strengthening the central government and modernizing the country by developing infrastructure, building railways, reforming the military, and expanding education. However, during
Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941, Allied forces pressured him to abdicate the throne. He stepped down in favor of his son,
Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, and spent the rest of his life in exile until his death in 1944 in
Johannesburg.
