The Zand Empire in Iran in 1760

Let us cast our eye elsewhere in the world in 1760. While the Byrd Expedition was proceeding towards the Cherokee lands, and while Canada was about to fall to British control, the Zand dynasty in today's Iran.

The founder of the Zand dynasty was Moḥammad Karim Khan, born Ināq Khan, commonly known as Karim Khan Zand.

Zand wants to expand and control the land that roughly corresponds to Iran today. Russia of Empress Elizabeth and later of Catherine the Great are pressing expansion. So too is the Ottoman empire. Those two are his biggest outside enemies. But there are many independents inside who wish their own control.

No King

He didn't want the title of King.

Like the Romans who eschewed titles of King, and like our own country not wanting a King nor the title of King, so too was this Karim Khan Zand:

He refused to accept the title of the king and instead named himself Vakilol Ro'aya (Advocate of the People). - Wikipedia.

Karim Khan defied everyone’s expectations—Iranians, French, and Russians—by declining to assume the title of šāh. Not only was he content with that of wakil throughout his reign, but he reinterpreted this as wakil al-raʿāyā “deputy of the subjects” or wakil al-ḵ-alāʾeq “people’s deputy.” - Encyclyopedia Iranica.

Zand timeframe

Karim Khan Zand created this Zand empire in 1751, consolidated his wins by 1760, making Shiraz his main capital and Teheran his second capital. He dies in 1779, and his successors fight for power for the next 10 years.

The Zand empire was mostly modern day eastern and central Iran.

Before and after Zand

Prior to the Zand empire, there was the The Safavid dynasty .

The Safavid dynasty was one of Iran's most significant ruling dynasties reigning from 1501 to 1736.

They converted this area from Sunni Islam to Shia Islam, particular Twelver Shi'ism.

Next, Nader Shah Afshar ruled 1736-1747, followed by war. He wanted to make the Shia a subsect of Sunni Islam. This idea failed. This area was going to stay Shia. He was considered the Napoleon or Alexander the Great of his time because of his military abilities.

Then Karim Khan Zand came to power, known as the Zand dynasty.

Karim Khan attempted to recreate the territorial Iran of the Safavid era, just like Nader Shah and Agha Mohammad Khan. A common reference for consecutive rulers was Nader Shah's mention of Iran's established borders during the Safavid dynasty. Karim Khan made use of the same justification for similar land dispute resolutions. - wikipedia

Karim Khan Zand wasn't so religious. He was even observed not to pray at all. He was more tolerant of other religions as long as they played respectful to the dominant Shia version of Islam.

Karim Khan Zand created this Zand empire in 1751, consolidated his wins by 1760, making Shiraz his main capital and Teheran his second capital. He dominates Basra of the Ottoman empire (today's Iraq) for about 2 years in 1776. He dies in 1779, and his successors fight for power for the next 10 years.

Then the Qajar dynasty takes over, led by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, aka Agha Mohammad Shah or Agha Mohammad Khan.

Teheran becomes his main capital.

.Agha Mohammad Khan's reign is noted for the return of a centralized and unified Iran and for relocating the capital to Tehran, where it still stands today. He is noted for his cruel and rapacious behavior, particularly during his Georgia and Kerman campaigns. However, he is also viewed as a pragmatic, calculating, and shrewd military and political leader. - wikidpedia.