Mohammad-Taqi Bahar

Mohammad-Taqi Bahar was a central figure in 20th-century Iranian culture. He was a prolific poet, scholar, politician, and journalist. He also served as a Professor of Literature. Because of his immense skill, he was known by the title Malek osh-Sho'ara. This title translates to "poet laureate" or "king of poets." His work helped shape the modern identity of Iran.

Bahar's education began very early in his life. His father, Mohammad Kazem Sabouri, served as his first tutor when he was three. He also attended a traditional school called a Maktab Khāneh in Mashhad. He studied under Adib Nai'shābouri to learn the style of the poets of Khorasan. This specific style is known as bāzgasht-e adabī, or a literary return. By age seven, he understood the meaning of the Shahnameh, a famous epic. He composed his first poem at age eight. He chose the pen name Bahar, meaning "Spring," to honor a friend of his father named Bahar Shirvāni.

His career moved through several distinct stages. At age 18, he worked as a Muslim preacher and clergy member. In 1903, at age 19, he received the title of Malek o-Sho'ara at the shrine of Imam Reza. This was a royal decree from Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar. Later, he moved into politics during the Constitutional Revolution from 1906 to 1911. He left his position as Poet Laureate to fight for a parliamentary democracy. He became an active member of the Mashhad branch of Anjoman-e Sa'ādat, a society for prosperity. He also helped publish newspapers like Khorāsān, Nou-bahār, and Tāzeh-bahār to advocate for political reform.

In 1918, Bahar underwent a major personal reinvention. He stopped his clerical activities to focus on literature and history. He co-founded The Literary Association of the academy, known as Anjoman-e Adabi-ye Dāneshkadeh. This group produced a monthly magazine called Majaleh-ye Dāneshkadeh. Through this publication, he introduced Western literature to Iranian readers. He also used the magazine to share his research on the history of Iran. This work helped strengthen the modern form of Persian literature.

Bahar's academic and political influence continued for many years. In 1934, he became a Professor of Persian Literature at Tehran University. He spent his tenure writing and editing many important books. Some of his major works include Tārikh-e Sistān, a history of Sistan, and Sabk Shenāsi, which studies styles of Persian prose. In 1945, he reached a high political office. He served briefly as the Minister of Culture and Education. During this same year, he helped create the Tiran Democratic Party with Ahmad Qavam.

His poetry was incredibly diverse in form and subject. He wrote in many traditions, including Panegyric, Epic, and Patriotic styles. He also used Romantic, Ethical, and Satirical forms. One of his most famous poems is "The Chained White Beast," written in 1922. In this poem, he uses Mount Damavand as a symbol for his country. He describes the mountain as a beast to represent the spirit of nationalism. This poem encouraged people to stand up against injustice.

Bahar's life ended after a struggle with illness. He suffered from tuberculosis and traveled to Switzerland for treatment. He stayed in a sanatorium in Leysin between 1947 and 1949. However, his health continued to decline after he returned to Iran. He died in Tehran on April 21, 1951. He is buried in the Zahir-od-dowleh cemetery in the Darband area of northern Tehran.