Teymour Bakhtiar - Isabella's Great Grandfather

Teymour Bakhtiar was born in his grandfather’s Fort of “Dezzak” in Chahar Mahal Bakhtiary on the 14th of February 1914. , His father, Fath-Ali Khan Sardar Moazzam Bakhtiari was married to Bibi Koakab, daughter of Sardar Jang Bakhtiari.

His mother Bibi Koakab was amongst a handful of remarkable women of her time. She completed her studies in the traditional manner in Isfahan and enhanced her knowledge of literature, history, and religious issues by constant reading and association with specialists and authorities in those fields. One of her unique and most valuable work is the journal of her travels in Europe in which she has written in great detail her observations and comments. Bibi Koakab showed her strong political convictions in a typical instance by giving refuge and hospitality to Dr. Mossadegh who had resigned his post as Governor of Fars over disagreements with the new Prime Minister. Mossadegh remained in Bakhtiary territory as an honored guest of Bibi Koakab and other Bakhtiari Khans until a new government was formed in Tehran. There is a handwritten order from Bibi Koakab to the Alderman of the village of Dizzak ordering him to provide complete hospitality to Dr. Mossadegh and to put her personal Carriage at his disposal.

Many other dignitaries spent time in Dizzak and enjoyed Bibi Koakab’s hospitality. Dehkhoda began compiling his monumental work on Persian idioms and Folklore while staying at Dizzak Fort and its vast library.

After completing his basic studies in Isfahan, Teymour and his cousin Shapour Bakhtiar were sent to Beirut University by their parents. After two years in Beirut, the two young students decided to move to Paris to continue their studies. Shapour Bakhtiar was accepted at the College of Political Science and Teymour Bakhtiar entered the famed Saint-Cyr Military Academy where he successfully completed his military studies and returned to Iran soon after graduation. In Tehran, he had to attend the Military Academy again as his officer’s rank from Saint Cyr was not recognized by the authorities. He graduated from Tehran’s Military Academy at the top of his class with honors.

Teymour Bakhtiar distinguished himself during the Azerbaijan’s separatist movement, when he fought the separatists and foreign elements alongside the partisan forces of Zolfagharis and other freedom fighters. In recognition of his bravery and outstanding service during this period, he was promoted from the rank of Captain, to Colonel.

For a period of time, he joined the faculty of the Tehran Military Academy where he taught military tactics. His next appointment was commander of the Armour Brigade of Kermanshah with the rank of Brigadier General. His march towards Tehran on the 19th of August 1953 at the head of an Armoured Column was one of the decisive factors in the collapse of the central government.

General Zahedi, the new Prime Minister, appointed Teymour Bakhtiar Military Commander of Tehran and promoted him to the rank of General. He later became a Deputy Premier and succeeded in uprooting the Communist Party and communist elements in the country. General Bakhtiar was assassinated in Iraq on the 12th of August 1971 while on a hunting trip.

Bakhtiar married twice. His first wife Iran was daughter of Khosrow Khan Sardar Zafar Bakhtiari. Golnar, Shahrokh, Hossein, and Niloufar are his children from this marriage. From the second marriage to Ghodrat, he has two sons, Bahman and Esfandiar.