In , Lorestan split into two realms: Lur-i Buzurg (Greater Lur); Lur-i Kuchak (Lesser Lur). The Bakhtiyaris are first attested in history in the early 15th-century. In 1413, the arrival of several Bakhtiyari clans such as the Astarki, Kutwand, Raki, Janaki and Zallaki are mentioned by the
Timurid-era historian Mu'in al-Din Natanzi. Under the
Safavids, Lur-i Kuchak became known as Luristan-i Fili, while Lur-i Buzurg (extending from Isfahan to
Kohgiluyeh and from
Shushtar to
Behbahan) became Bakhtiyari land. In 1566,
Shah Tahmasp I () selected the Astarki chieftain Tajmir as
ilkhan of the Bakhtiyari. He was, however, later killed and succeeded by Jahangir Khan Bakhtiyari, who is responsible for splitting the Bakhtiyaris into two groups, the Haft Lang and Chahar Lang. By the time of the reign of
Shah Abbas I (), the northern part of Lur-i Buzurg became known as Bakhtiyari.
Constitutional Revolution In Iran's contemporary history, the Bakhtiari have played a significant role; particularly during the advent of the country's
Constitutional Revolution (1905–1907). This event was largely secured through the Bakhtari campaign, which eventually deposed
Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar (r. 1907–1909). The Bakhtiari tribesmen, under the leadership of the Haft Lang khans
Sardar Assad and his brother Najaf Qoli Khan Bakhtiari-
Saad ad-Daula (also referred to as Samsam-os Saltane), captured
Tehran and, as a result, saved the revolution. These events led to the abdication of
Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar (r. 1907–1909) in 1909, and his exile to Russia. This incident secured
Saad ad-Daula the position of Prime Minister in the period that followed the abdication of the Qajar Shah. Nonetheless, with Russian backing, the Shah would soon return in 1911 by landing with a coalition of forces at
Astarabad . However, his efforts to reclaim his throne would bear no fruit.
Pahlavi Period With the expansion of Bakhtiari influence, urban elites (particularly in Tehran) began to worry in regards to a potential Bakhtiari takeover of Persia's affairs. Prior to this point, the Bakhtiari had largely remained within their own territorial boundaries. The Bakhtiari influence would continue to play an important role within the early 20th century politics of Iran.
Reza Shah Pahlavi (r. 1925–1941) made the destruction of the Bakhtiari influence his mission. The existence of oil on Bakhtiari territory further motivated the Pahlavi monarch to undermine the autonomy of the tribe, and force its population to adhere to the commands of the central government. The latter event was a turning point for Bakhtiari and their rise within Iranian politics. == Music ==