This study is concerned with the biographies of the Shi'i 'ulama'in Iran during the 19th century, who played a major role in the emergence of the Shi'i hierocracy as religious executors of state affairs. Chapter I: provides an overview of the relations between state and 'Ulamd' in the Safavid period and traces the development of usuli doctrine as the dominant school of ShT'i fiqh (jurisprudence). Chapters II, III and IV: focus on the lives and works of three groups of the mujtahids divided according to their generation. The first generation comprises the students of Bihbihani, who were concerned primarly with the consolidation of the Usuli school. The second generation was responsible for the formulation of the concept of wildyat al-faqih. Finally the third generation emphasised the concept of the role of the marja' al taqlid, thus paving the way for the mujtahids to intervene in affairs of state
