Crafted in Europe and transported, the statue depicted Naser al-Din Shah on horseback, dressed in military attire. It stood atop a tall pedestal and was surrounded by cannon displays, reflecting the square’s name—Toopkhaneh, meaning “Artillery Barracks.” The statue was not just an artistic endeavor but also a political statement: it represented the growing influence of Western styles and ideas, the consolidation of royal power, and the monarch’s efforts to project modernity and authority. However, following the 1979, many monuments associated with the monarchy were removed. The statue of Naser al-Din Shah met the same fate and was taken down, though its historical legacy as Tehran’s first public statue remains significant.
