December 2, 1921 is the anniversary of martyrdom of Mirza Kouchek Khan, known as Jungle Commander, one of the most popular heroic patriots and Iranian liberation movement leaders in Iran’s contemporary history. He was a young commander of a group of combatants during Constitutional Revolution who took part in fighting against despotism in 1906.
In order to save the achievements of the Constitutional revolution, he took up arms and went to Gilan Jungles, north of Iran, in order to flare up the freedom fire this time from Gilan’s jungles.
Mirza Kouchek Khan was able to gain extensive popular support among the people of Gilan province due to his brave resistance along with his colleagues. On June 4, 1920, heading the Jungle Mojahedin who had liberated the whole Gilan province, Mirza entered the city of Rasht, Gilan’s Capital. Among the emotional and soulful welcome and acclamation of the people and on their invitation, Mirza announced the Declaration of the Gilan’s Republic Government.
The Jungle’s Movement was faced with conspiracy of traitors and opportunists who made a Coup against Mirza. In order to prevent bloodshed, Mirza went back to the jungle. The treason of opportunists provided the condition for the Central government and colonizers to defeat the Jungle’s Movement. Finally, Mirza Kouchek Khan, after a heroic resistance, on his way to northwestern city of Khalkhal in order to reorganize his remained forces, was frozen in cold sleet and snow to death. This way one of the most popular heroic patriots and Iran’s liberation movement leaders in Iran’s contemporary history was martyred in 1921.