The
Persian Cossack Brigade or
Iranian Cossack Brigade was a
Cossack-style elite cavalry unit formed in 1879 in Persia (modern
Iran). It was modelled after the Caucasian Cossack regiments of the
Imperial Russian Army, and until 1920, it was commanded by
Russian officers, while its rank and file were composed of ethnic
Caucasians and later on Persians as well. During much of their history they were the only functional, effective military unit of the
Qajar Dynasty. Acting on occasion as kingmakers, this force played a pivotal role in modern Persian history during the
Revolution of 1905–1911, the rise of
Reza Shah, and the formation of the
Pahlavi Dynasty.