Mirza Kuchik Khan led a religious secessionist movement in Gilan against government corruption.

During the Russian Revolution, Iranian Marxists began to collaborate with the Jangalis (later forming Tudeh.) During the 1917-19 famine, the Jangali movement gained strength.

They interfered with Dunsterforce, so Edward Noel tried to assassinate Mirza and planes bombed his house. Dunsterforce with Armenian red guards defeated them in the Battle of Manjil (1918), then briefly installed the Centro-Caspian Dictatorship in Baku.

In 1919, 20,000 Soviets intervened against the British, proclaimed the Soviet Republic of Gilan but replaced Mirza. Mirza began secret negotiations with the Iranian government against the communists, leading to a countercoup and brief peace.

Reza Khan Pahlavi was made commander of the government’s Cossack Brigade. The British and Soviets withdrew troops and Pahlvai ended the Jangali movement by the end of 1921.