Document Type : Original Article

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Payam Noor University

Abstract

The Great Famine of the year (1296-1298 AH-1917-1919 AD) was undoubtedly the biggest famine that caused many casualties in Iran. According to some sources, in this famine, nearly 40% of Iran's population died due to hunger, malnutrition and related diseases. They were lost from it. Despite the fact that neutral Iran was the biggest victim of the First World War. But the great famine in Iran, one of the greatest famines of the modern era, and certainly one of the greatest disasters of the 20th century, remains unknown and undiscovered. Now, by raising the question, what factors caused this great famine in 1917/1296? It can be said that a combination of military confiscation, mediation during the war, hoarding and agricultural problems, and in addition, the war had caused the disruption of trade and the production of agricultural products, as well as the hoarding of Ahmad Shah Qajar, the First World War, the entry of Russian and British forces into Iran. Drought and pest infestation can be mentioned among the causes of famine in Iran, and the impact of this great famine can be seen on the social and economic conditions of Iranian people.

Keywords