Alexander Khan Setkhanian

Iskandar-Khan was born to General Tsatur Khan and Lady Ninon Hovnatanyan. His paternal grandfather was Ambassador Set Khan Astvatsatourian, and his maternal grandfather was Hakob Hovnatanyan.^[2] His father chose the Russian general consul in Tabriz, General Stupyn, as Iskandar's Godfather.^[1]

While on a diplomatic mission to Russia, Tsatur Khan had promised Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich that he would send his son to be educated in the Russian Empire. Iskandar's father kept that promise in 1878 and sent Iskandar to study at the military academy in Tbilisi, Georgia.^[3] Before departing, Iskandar mastered Persian and Armenian at the Armenian school in Tabriz. In Georgia, he mastered Russian and French as well, and learned military sciences and Cossack Cavalry tactics. After completing his studies, Iskandar travelled to Moscow to finish his higher education. There he became a naturalized citizen of the Russian Empire.^[2]

After completing his military education in Moscow, Iskandar returned to Tabriz in 1887 where he immediately entered the Iranian military with the rank of Sarhang. After four years of serving at this rank, Mozaffar al-Din Shah Qajar promoted him to the rank of Sarhang Adjutant in 1892. Iskandar then went to Tehran in 1894 to join the Persian Cossack Brigade. By 1900, Iskandar-Khan had risen to the rank of General of the Brigade and, in 1915, he became Chief of Staff. In 1916, Iskandar-Khan retired from the Brigade after more than a quarter of a century of service.^[4] After his retirement, Reza Khan, who served under him at the time, was promoted to Sartip and placed in charge of a regiment in Tehran.^[5]

Under orders from the Shah, Iskandar commanded a division surrounding the Majles. After bombarding the parliament, Tehran was placed under martial law by the Brigade. For remaining loyal to Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar during the Constitutional Revolution, Iskandar was promoted to Amir Tuman, meaning commander of thousands, the highest rank under the Commander of the Brigade. When asked why he participated in the event, one of the most infamous in Iranian history, Iskandar responded, "I am a soldier, not a politician; my loyalty is to the Brigade and to the Shah."^[1]

The Brigade strongly opposed the subsequent appointment of William Morgan Shuster as Treasurer-General of Persia, who was working with Nationalist forces to forcefully collect taxes on behalf of the Americans, as well as seizing the estates of dissenters. The Brigade intimated Shuster to such an extent that the Majles finally had him dismissed in 1911. The Brigade helped to bring about the downfall of the Majles, effectively ending the era of the Constitutional Revolution.^[2]

After General Edmund Ironside encouraged Reza Khan to stage the 1921 coup d'état against the Qajar government, Iskandar was approached by his colleagues to consider opposing Reza Khan. Iskandar had been fond of Reza while Reza was a soldier under his command for two years, and had developed a close relationship with him. Reza Khan was often seen around the Davidkhanian mansion during those years. Iskandar chose not to oppose his takeover.^[2]

As April approached following the coup, Iskandar had still not pledged his loyalty to the new Shah. Iskandar invited him to the Davidkhanian mansion on Sepah Street, where he had Cossacks guarding him and his family. On Reza Khan's orders, he and Iskandar were let alone to discuss the future in private. The two walked the garden of the estate, and began to circumnavigate the pond. Halfway around the pond, Iskandar stopped walking, and Reza Khan put his arm around the older general's shoulder, and continued to walk. Five years later, Reza Khan crowned himself shah of Iran, establishing the Pahlavi dynasty.^[2]