Naser al-Din Shah was the ruler of Persia from 1848 to 1896, making him one of the longest-serving monarchs in the country's history. He was known for his efforts to modernize Iran, introducing reforms in education, infrastructure, and the military. His reign saw the establishment of the first modern schools and the introduction of new technologies, such as the telegraph. Despite his modernization efforts, Naser al-Din Shah faced criticism for his autocratic rule and the heavy influence of foreign powers, particularly Britain and Russia. His reign ended with his assassination in 1896, which marked a significant turning point in Iranian history.