Mirza Koochak Khan Jangali

Mirza Koochak Khan was born in 1880. His father was Mirza Bozorg-e Rashti. He began his studies in Tehran and Rasht seminaries. Later on, he joined the combatants who fought for the Constitution Movement.

In 1910, Mirza Koochak Khan accompanied by some of his comrades, went to Astarabad city to fight against Mohammed Ali Shah.

In 1914, he moved to Gilan province (north of Iran). There he established the Islamic Union Population with the help of his comrades. In a bid to escape being arrested, he resided in the forests near Rasht; hence, he was nicknamed as Jangali (used to attribute one to forest). After some times, a lot of people joined in. He gathered some of his friends and began his movement. He carried out a decisive war against foreign powers, especially England and Russia, and continued on this path up until he attained martyrdom.

Governmental forces entered Rasht upon the surrender of Khaloo Qorban to Sardar Sepah. They followed the partisans because the peace talks had been deadlocked. The forces were scattered. Some surrendered while others were killed. Mirza took shelter in a forest to gather the scattered forces, but he died there because of the cold weather.

When the enemies found his body, they cut his head and took it away for a public display. Khaloo Qorban took Mirza's head for Reza Khan in order to show his servitude.

Mirza Koochak Khan Jangali has been noted as a highly courageous individual who sacrificed all he had to stand against the influence of foreign powers in Iran.