Editing Abbas Mirza (section)

== Military reforms ==
[[Image:Military Review by Abbas Mirza.jpg|thumb|Illustration of Abbas Mirza reviewing his troops. Made by [[Allahverdi Afshar]] in 1815.{{sfn|Szántó|2021}}]]
A reform of the Iranian army became necessary due to the conflict with the Russians, whose armies utilized modern technology and were structured according to modern ideas. Iran was in a situation resembling that of the Ottoman Empire in the early 18th-century. Abbas Mirza wore a Mongolian mail coat from the royal treasures when he went to battle in 1804; this was likely done partially for symbolical purposes. Even then, he was aware that Russian strategies and equipment were superior to Iranian forces, therefore he started to instruct his soldiers in European practices.{{sfn|Busse|1982|pp=79–84}} This marked the start of Abbas Mirza's ''[[Nezam-e Jadid]]'' ("The new [military] order"), a project to build an up-to-date army capable of fighting in a modern environment.{{sfn|Amanat|2017|p=199}}{{sfn|Behrooz|2023|p=43}} Its name and military reforms resembled that of the Ottoman [[Nizam-I Cedid]] reforms made by the Ottoman Sultan [[Selim III]] ({{reign|1789|1807}}).{{sfn|Behrooz|2023|p=43 (see note 2)}}

Abbas Mirza first employed Russian prisoners of war and deserters who provided practical instruction.{{sfn|Busse|1982|pp=79–84}} [[Samson Makintsev]], a commander in Abbas Mirza's army who rose to the rank of general, was the most well-known of these Russian troops.{{sfn|Behrooz|2023|p=43}} This approach of recruiting foreign instructors was strengthened when untrustworthy forces that had fought in France were sent to the Caucasian front during the [[War of the Sixth Coalition]] in Europe. In 1819, a regiment of 800 men was made up entirely of Russian deserters. French instructors began working at Tabriz in 1807, but after Iran severed ties with France, British officers made up the majority of the training staff.{{sfn|Busse|1982|pp=79–84}} New ideas and administrative procedures were introduced with the ''Nezam'' reforms. ''Nezam'' troops started donning uniforms, initially in a color resembling Russian green and then French blue.{{sfn|Behrooz|2023|p=43}} Since the new uniform resembled non-Muslim clothing and went against Islamic clothing, the traditionalist clergy at first opposed it. However, the state leaders were able to convince them that it was required for the defense of Muslim areas.{{sfn|Amanat|2017|p=199}} The title ''sarbaz'' ("one who is willing to sacrifice his head"), which is still used in the Iranian military today, was given to the soldiers.{{sfn|Behrooz|2023|p=43}}

Abbas Mirza's jealous brothers, especially Dowlatshah, as well as conservative court members criticized Abbas Mirza and Mirza Bozorg for their ideas of military reform being based on a European model. Accusations of professing Christianity was even made towards Mirza Bozorg, who was the main driving force behind the reforms.{{sfn|Behrooz|2023|p=51}} The army of Azerbaijan, which was the main force defending against the Russians, was under Abbas Mirza's command. As a result, it was better organized and more skilled than the rest of the imperial army. Abbas Mirza provided his soldiers with clothing and weapons. When [[James Justinian Morier]] visited in 1808/09, he estimated that Abbas Mirza's had 40,000 soldiers under his command; 22,000 cavalry, 12,00 infantry with an artillery force, and 6,000 ''Nezam'' infantry.{{sfn|Behrooz|2023|p=47}}