The Iranian Revolution was a historic one that transformed Iran from a monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to an Islamic Republic under a modest cleric, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Dubbed by many as the third great revolution in history, following the French and the Bolshevik revolutions, this revolution cost anywhere between 3000 and 60000 lives depending on which source you choose to believe.

It began in January 1978 with the first major demonstrations to overthrow the Shah, and concluded with the approval of the new constitution, whereby Khomeini became the supreme leader in December 1979.

The Shah fled Iran in January 1979 after strikes and demonstrations paralysed the country, and in February Khomeini returned to Teheran to a tumultuous welcome from millions. The final collapse of the Shah dynasty occurred shortly after as Iran's military declared itself neutral after guerrillas and rebel troops overwhelmed troops loyal to the Shah in armed street-fighting. Iran officially became an Islamic Republic on April 1, 1979, when Iranians overwhelmingly approved a national referendum.

The revolution was unique in the way it lacked the customary causes of revolution -- defeat at war, financial crisis, peasant rebellion, or disgruntled military.

Image: An Iranian woman attends a rally marking the 26th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution which toppled the pro-US Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, on Azadi (Freedom) Street, February 10, 2005, in Teheran.
Photograph: Majid/Getty Images

Also read: Once a King, now a commoner

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