Abstract
In 1901, Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar granted a 60-year exclusive oil concession to British subject William Knox D’Arcy. The initial drilling operations began near Kermanshah but were unsuccessful. Based on expert advice, the focus shifted to Khuzestan, where the Bakhtiari tribe held influence. Due to the central Iranian government's inability to secure the exploration and extraction process, British officials negotiated with Bakhtiari leaders.
In 1905, a six-point agreement was reached between the British and the Bakhtiari chiefs, securing British access to the oil fields. The discovery of commercial oil in 1908 changed the geopolitical situation, straining the relationship between the British and the Bakhtiari. By 1930, following the rise of Reza Shah, the privileges granted to the Bakhtiari were revoked.
This research, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods, evaluates British policies toward the Bakhtiari leaders regarding oil operations, suggesting that British support shifted from the Bakhtiari to Reza Shah as political conditions evolved.
Keywords: Iran, Britain, Bakhtiari Tribe, Oil, Khuzestan.
 
Introduction
In 1901, Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar granted an exclusive 60-year oil concession to William Knox D’Arcy, a British national. According to Article 4 of the contract, the Iranian government was responsible for ensuring the security of exploration and extraction operations. The initial drilling operations in the western region (Kermanshah) were unsuccessful, necessitating a shift to the southern regions, particularly under the influence of the Bakhtiari tribe. Both the British government and the Iranian government began negotiations with the Bakhtiari leaders, who proposed their participation in the operations. In 1905, a six-article agreement was reached between the company and the Bakhtiari chiefs concerning exploration, extraction, and oil exports.
The Bakhtiari leaders gained significant material and political benefits from this agreement, strengthening their position in both the region and the country. In 1908, with the discovery of commercial oil, the company's complex financial and commercial policies began to challenge previous agreements. Meanwhile, international events such as World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire significantly altered the geopolitical landscape, further weakening the Bakhtiari's standing.
As Iran faced these international and regional challenges, the need for a strong centralized government became apparent. With the rise of Reza Shah and the establishment of a centralized authority, the privileges granted to the Bakhtiari leaders were revoked, and their shares were transferred to the Iranian government based on parliamentary decisions.
 
Methodology
The research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods. Initially, the study involves the collection and description of data, followed by qualitative analysis. Quantitative analysis is also utilized in a comparative manner. This descriptive-analytical approach focuses on the political and economic role of the Bakhtiari tribe in the oil industry.
 
Discussion and Findings
British statesmen, recognizing the growing importance of oil as a strategic commodity and a foundation of the modern economy, secured an exclusive oil concession in Iran for 60 years. When initial drilling in western Iran (Kermanshah) proved unsatisfactory, operations were moved to southern Iran, within the Bakhtiari tribe's territory. Although the Iranian government was responsible for security under Article 4 of the D’Arcy concession, the British government and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) negotiated directly with the Bakhtiari leaders. In 1905, they reached a six-article agreement that granted the Bakhtiari chiefs a 3% stake in the oil company, while agreeing to sell land at a fair price. If disputes arose over pricing, the British consul in Khorramshahr would serve as the final arbiter.
The agreement was signed by prominent Bakhtiari leaders including Najafqoli Khan Samsam al-Saltaneh, Aliqoli Khan Sardar Asad, and others. On the British side, the contract was signed by Promis, the British consul in Isfahan, with witnesses from both sides. In 1908, commercial oil was discovered in Masjed Soleiman, marking a pivotal moment in the Anglo-Persian oil relations. However, subsequent British technical and financial policies, and the formation of the Bakhtiari Oil Company, strained relations and disregarded the Bakhtiari's shares and interests.
The onset of World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the rise of Reza Shah further complicated the situation. The Bakhtiari leaders lost their earlier significance, and by 1930, under Reza Shah’s regime, all their oil-related privileges were revoked, ending their involvement in the industry.
 
Conclusion
In the early 20th century, British statesmen, recognizing the strategic importance of oil, secured an exclusive concession for Iranian oil. Given the weak central government, local tribal leaders such as the Bakhtiari were entrusted with securing oil operations within their territories. However, the relationship between the British and the Bakhtiari chiefs gradually deteriorated due to internal (e.g., the Constitutional Revolution) and international factors (e.g., World War I and the Russian Revolution). Eventually, British policymakers shifted their support from the Bakhtiari leaders to Reza Shah, leading to the dissolution of the Bakhtiari's privileges and influence in the oil industry.