The accumulation of capital in Hojabr Yazdani’s hands

Written by: late Ahmad Allah Yari

Republished by: Bhaismiran

Hojabr Yazdani, the successor of Sabet:

After Habib Sabet’s retirement, Hojabr Yazdani became his successor. He bought most of sugar factories across Iran because he was managing a part of Shahpour Qolam Reza’s wealth. He also used force in addition to wealth. After buying the factories, he bought hundreds of kilometers of the lands located in both sides of Qouchan to Bojnourd and planted sugar beets by taking lean from agriculture ministration managed by its Baha’i minister, Mansour Rohani.

Concerning the Pahlavi court’s support, Fardoust writes:

“Circa 1354 I received a complaint concerning this issue that Hojabr Yazdani violated the shepherd’s pasture lands in Sangsar. Mohammad Reza had ordered to be investigated and reported. Two officers were dispatched. They reported the people of MArzan Abad village are a;; Baha’is and their head is Hojabr Yazdani and they have occupied all the lands resided by Muslims forcefully. The documents were gathered and an album was attached and sent for Mohammad Reza.

The next day Shah said the report is all spiteful. Send an impartial group to investigate the issue. I answered: Dispatching a new group is vain. Shah wants YAzdani to continue his action.

The accumulation of capital in Hojabr Yazdani’s hands was so much that he bought all great building in Tehran such as Plasco, Aluminum building, Sepehr Tower. He possessed thousands of heads of sheep.

He bought the Iranian Bank, agriculture development Bank. He wanted to buy Saderat Bank gradually. He became one of the great stockholders of the bank. Thus, some scholars announced trading with Saderat Bank as illegitimate. Because the owner was a Baha’i. Ayatollah Shariatmadari and Ayatullah Golapaygani announced the issue. They also issue an ultimatum that we clergyman with block our accounts in Saderat Bank. The bank people in charge negotiated with the two clergyman concerning this issue that Hojabr Yazdani isn’t Baha’i and Saderat Bank has 18 thousand employees who are earning a living in this bank. However, the two clergyman didn’t pay attention and was firm in their decision.

During 1350s, Hojabr Yazdani was introduced as the richest man in Iran. It is published in the Keyhan newspaper that one of his rings costs 80 million Tumans.

Of course, according to the news published in the press at that time, his new accusations were being revealed including: The illegal expropriation of Saveh lands, digging deep wells in the farms of Arak city and desiccating people’s lands.

Regarding people’s reaction towards Hojabr’s corruptions, SAVAK reports:

“Subject: Rumors Among people.