Riza Shah Pahlavi was the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty in Iran and served as the country's monarch from 1925 until 1941. He came to power after a coup d'état and aimed to modernize Iran through various reforms, including the establishment of a centralized government, infrastructure development, and the promotion of education. Riza Shah's reign was marked by efforts to secularize Iranian society and reduce the influence of religious leaders. However, his authoritarian rule faced opposition, leading to his abdication during World War II. He was succeeded by his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who continued his father's modernization efforts.