1. Settlement Period One (1934 – 1941)
The first settlement period was characterized by Reza Shah’s belief that nomads were alien and disloyal to the country, his desire for a centralized government and Persianized population, his goal of modernization of Iran, and his use of force to bring this about.
2. Settlement Period Two (1941 – 1962)
The second settlement period began with Reza Shah’s abdication in 1941. It was characterized by a relative hands-off policy by the government of Reza Shah’s son, Mohammed Reza. Economic reasons during this period were largely responsible for voluntary settlement.
3. Settlement Period Three (1962 – 1979)
During this period a severe drought and the Land Reform Program acted to cause many nomads to settle. The drought drastically reduced the size of herds. The Land Reform Program redistributed land but provided little or no supportive measures for the new small landholders, and was a turning point in the existence of nomadism.