AH Challenge: Make modern-day Iran look like this

[stevep]

But if Iran controls the strait of Hormuz and keeps British ships from going through it, there is jack and shit Britain can do about it. Even without that control, there still jack and shit Britain can do about it without sacrificing control of India to take on this far more powerful Persia.

Commissar

At this point Britain is virtually unbeatable if angered enough. Iran, even with reforms is still largely an agricultural state with no modern industry. As such it can't block the straits and its coastline will be vulnerable to attack. Also India is important to Britain both economically and in terms of prestige and it won't give it up easily. Not to mention a powerful Shia Iran is likely to mean potential allies in both India [Hindu, Sikh and Sunni] and the ME [Sunni].

Steve

 

[Commissar]

Commissar

At this point Britain is virtually unbeatable if angered enough. Iran, even with reforms is still largely an agricultural state with no modern industry. As such it can't block the straits and its coastline will be vulnerable to attack. Also India is important to Britain both economically and in terms of prestige and it won't give it up easily. Not to mention a powerful Shia Iran is likely to mean potential allies in both India [Hindu, Sikh and Sunni] and the ME [Sunni].

Steve

Uh no, as Mirza would have had the chance to industrialize the Nation as he had planned and build a modern Army.

Britain on the other hand has world wide commitments and can not devote much to taking on the strengthened Qajars here who heavily borrowed ideals from the French and British militarys. And given the terrain, and its utter defeats in Afghanistan, Britain wouldn't make much headway and be utterly humiliated trying.

At best the British take some coastal areas they can't break out of and can't maintain and serve only as an irritant.

 

[archaeogeek]

Uh no, as Mirza would have had the chance to industrialize the Nation as he had planned and build a modern Army.

Britain on the other hand has world wide commitments and can not devote much to taking on the strengthened Qajars here who heavily borrowed ideals from the French and British militarys. And given the terrain, and its utter defeats in Afghanistan, Britain wouldn't make much headway and be utterly humiliated trying.

At best the British take some coastal areas they can't break out of and can't maintain and serve only as an irritant.

Afghanistan was only abandoned out of courtesy, the defeats in three consecutive wars were merely a detail in this decision
(That said I could easily see the French helping arm/modernize a powerful Persia as they did the Indian kingdoms before)

 

[stevep]

Uh no, as Mirza would have had the chance to industrialize the Nation as he had planned and build a modern Army.

Britain on the other hand has world wide commitments and can not devote much to taking on the strengthened Qajars here who heavily borrowed ideals from the French and British militarys. And given the terrain, and its utter defeats in Afghanistan, Britain wouldn't make much headway and be utterly humiliated trying.

At best the British take some coastal areas they can't break out of and can't maintain and serve only as an irritant.

Commissar

There is a world of difference between having a modern equipped army and having an industrial society. Many countries achieved the former [Egypt, the Sikhs, the Ottomans etc] but failed to achieve the latter to any lasting degree. Without that they don't have the stamina, in military terms, for a long war nor the basis for say powerful modern artillery let alone a modern navy.

Also you were talking about somehow the Persians managing to defeat the British in India. How are they going to maintain a large army so far from their centres of power and production, especially with British naval superiority?

Steve