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The hereditary ruler of the Iranian monarchy was the Shah, who according to royal order of precedence, was equal in status to an Emperor. For most of its existence the Iranian monarchy had been an absolute monarchy, although there were attempts to reform it into a constitutional monarchy in the early twentieth century and following World War II.

The modern Iranian monarchy was established in 1502 after the Safavid Dynasty came to power under Shah Ismail I, and ended the so-called "fourth era" of political fragmentation. The monarchy was abolished in 1979 when a revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini forced Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (one of two people who held the title Shah of Iran, and the one most often referred to as such) into exile, and established an Islamic Republic in its place.

1 Iranian monarchs since 1502

1.1 Safavid dynasty

• Ismail I ( 1502- 1524Events March 1, 1524/ 5 Giovanni da Verrazano lands near Cape Fear (approx. April 30 Battle of the Sesia Spanish forces under Charles de Lannoy defeat the French army in Italy under William de Bonnivet. The French, now commanded by Francois de St. Pol, wi)
• Tahmasp ITahmasp I ( 1524- 1576) was an influential Shah of Persia of the Safavid Dynasty. Tahmasp came to power at the age of 10, when he succeeded to the throne of Persia in 1524 after the death of Shah Isma'il I. During his childhood he was weak and unable to e ( 1524Events March 1, 1524/ 5 Giovanni da Verrazano lands near Cape Fear (approx. April 30 Battle of the Sesia Spanish forces under Charles de Lannoy defeat the French army in Italy under William de Bonnivet. The French, now commanded by Francois de St. Pol, wi- 1576Events May 5 Peace of Beaulieu or Peace of Monsieur (after Monsieur, the Duc d'Anjou, brother of the King, who negotiated it). End of the Fifth War of Religion Once again, the Protestants are granted freedom of worship. October 3 The " Spanish Terror".)
• Ismail II ( 1576Events May 5 Peace of Beaulieu or Peace of Monsieur (after Monsieur, the Duc d'Anjou, brother of the King, who negotiated it). End of the Fifth War of Religion Once again, the Protestants are granted freedom of worship. October 3 The " Spanish Terror".- 1578)
• Mohammed Khodabanda ( 1578- 1588)
• Abbas I ( 1588- 1629)
• Safi ( 1629- 1642)
• Abbas II ( 1642- 1666)
• Suleiman ( 1666- 1694)
• Husayn ( 1694- 1722)
• Tahmasp II ( 1722- 1732)
• Abbas III ( 1732- 1736)