Nāṣer al-Dīn Shah (reigned 1848–96) made Iran’s last effort to regain Herāt, but British intervention in 1856–57 thwarted his efforts. Popular and religious antagonism to the Qājār regime increased as Nāṣer al-Dīn strove to raise funds by granting foreign companies and individuals exclusive concessions over Iranian import and export commodities and natural resources in exchange for lump cash payments. The money paid for concessions was ostensibly for developing Iran’s resources but instead was squandered by the court and on the shah’s lavish trips to Europe.
