Persia, the Shah & the Royal Family
Royal Family
Places
| Persia | Mazandaran | Tehran | Mirrored Halls & Rooms |
| Golestan Palace | Theater | Other Palaces |
| Golestan Palace | Theater | Other Palaces |
Events
| War |
The Shah in Shah
Raja Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar (English)
Nasser, Nasereddin, Naser (Alt English)
Nasser-ed-Din Chah, Nassereddine chah, Nasiri'd-Din Shah, Nasser-ed-Din Schah (French)
ناصرالدین شاه / Nâṣer-al-Din Šâh (Persian)
The Shahanshah, Le Shahynshah or Shah-in-Shah
Chàh-in-Chàh (French)
"King of Kings"
Ruled from
1848 - 1896 (when he was assassinated)
Nasser, Nasereddin, Naser (Alt English)
Nasser-ed-Din Chah, Nassereddine chah, Nasiri'd-Din Shah, Nasser-ed-Din Schah (French)
ناصرالدین شاه / Nâṣer-al-Din Šâh (Persian)
The Shahanshah, Le Shahynshah or Shah-in-Shah
Chàh-in-Chàh (French)
"King of Kings"
Ruled from
1848 - 1896 (when he was assassinated)
The the forth king of the Qajar dynasty/سلسله قاجار
Word of Erik's talents had reach the Shah-inShah at the Mazenderan palace, Daroga was sent to summon him to court.
~ref. Epilogue Gaston Leroux POTO
Erik time spent here would have been roughly mid 1850's
~ref. Epilogue Gaston Leroux POTO
Erik time spent here would have been roughly mid 1850's
He was the son of Mohammad Shah Qajar and Malek Jahān Khānom and the third longest ruler in Persian history, he came to the throne at 17 and reigned for 50 years, longer then any other Qajar (Turkish lineage) ruler, which ruled Persia from 1781 to 1925. He admired Europe and desired to make Persian more modern. However he was a dictator and this did nothing to win over his people. He was quoted saying shortly before his assassination, "I will rule you differently if I survive."
The war with the Empire was the Anglo-Persian War. The Anglo-Persian War lasted between November 1, 1856 and April 4, 1857, and was fought between Great Britain and Persia Nasir al-Din who had opponents tortured and executed, and who brought about the murder of his chief minister Mirza Taqi Khan Amir-i Kabir in 1851.
Seen as a bit of hero in his own country now, the French had a completely different opinion at the time. His reign is described: Corruption became widespread, intellectually starved, spiritually moribund, morally decrepit, ignorance, alienation, ruin of the country, lack of education, displays of madness, Prince of oppressors, capricious monarch, hateful and horrific practices, torture, unheard-of barbarity; M. de Ballois warned there was nothing for honest people to do in this country. (www.bahai-biblio.org)
The Shah often employed foreigners including a French doctor. A Frenchmen's account states to not always trust the stability the Shah's friendship, because with the slightest suspicion in moments notice one could no longer be in his good graces. His mother ruled in his stead and all through his life kept influence over him. The Shah had complete confidence in his mother's opinions, loved his mother. She held more sway over even his ministers.
The Shah spoke multiple languages, up until 12 he spoke Azeri (Azerbaijan, the southwestern Turkish) when he became Shah he contiuned to speak this with his close inner circle, Persian, Arabic, French and English
~
The Shah's Harem
The war with the Empire was the Anglo-Persian War. The Anglo-Persian War lasted between November 1, 1856 and April 4, 1857, and was fought between Great Britain and Persia Nasir al-Din who had opponents tortured and executed, and who brought about the murder of his chief minister Mirza Taqi Khan Amir-i Kabir in 1851.
Seen as a bit of hero in his own country now, the French had a completely different opinion at the time. His reign is described: Corruption became widespread, intellectually starved, spiritually moribund, morally decrepit, ignorance, alienation, ruin of the country, lack of education, displays of madness, Prince of oppressors, capricious monarch, hateful and horrific practices, torture, unheard-of barbarity; M. de Ballois warned there was nothing for honest people to do in this country. (www.bahai-biblio.org)
The Shah often employed foreigners including a French doctor. A Frenchmen's account states to not always trust the stability the Shah's friendship, because with the slightest suspicion in moments notice one could no longer be in his good graces. His mother ruled in his stead and all through his life kept influence over him. The Shah had complete confidence in his mother's opinions, loved his mother. She held more sway over even his ministers.
The Shah spoke multiple languages, up until 12 he spoke Azeri (Azerbaijan, the southwestern Turkish) when he became Shah he contiuned to speak this with his close inner circle, Persian, Arabic, French and English
~
The Shah's Harem
Harem, Andaruni/ اندرونی "inside", Enderùn (French)
He has one of the most famous harems in history and by his death he had 112 married women and concubines, although some sources claimed as much as 1500-2000. He started photographing his harem in 1858 and this was the first photos of women since it was against the law to photograph women at the time. There were two different types of marriages within the harem ṣīḡa or a "temporary wife" which was a passion of a concubines, and aqdī "permanent wife", which was a promotion and lasted 99 years. Children from both marriages are considered legitimate heirs. Every women in the harem had servants women or eunuchs from different cultures, the amount of servants was dictated but their status. There was different official types of positions such as ostāds "masters" who protected the king's nightly rest, a group female sentinels commanded by female officials. Some ran the royal coffeehouse inside the harem. Some supervised a group of musicians and female dancers who entertained with in the harem. The ḡolām-bačča were prepubescent young slave boys who served as playmates within the harem. And the Eunuchs typically African slaves. Women would not leave the Harem and their only link to the outside world were doctors and tailors. Women in the harem were well educated in the arts, poetry, and calligraphy. They would entertain themselves as well as the Shah. They would put on theatrical performances, passion plays, tell stories, play games as well as dance and play music. Later on foreign tutors were aloud in to the harem.
He has one of the most famous harems in history and by his death he had 112 married women and concubines, although some sources claimed as much as 1500-2000. He started photographing his harem in 1858 and this was the first photos of women since it was against the law to photograph women at the time. There were two different types of marriages within the harem ṣīḡa or a "temporary wife" which was a passion of a concubines, and aqdī "permanent wife", which was a promotion and lasted 99 years. Children from both marriages are considered legitimate heirs. Every women in the harem had servants women or eunuchs from different cultures, the amount of servants was dictated but their status. There was different official types of positions such as ostāds "masters" who protected the king's nightly rest, a group female sentinels commanded by female officials. Some ran the royal coffeehouse inside the harem. Some supervised a group of musicians and female dancers who entertained with in the harem. The ḡolām-bačča were prepubescent young slave boys who served as playmates within the harem. And the Eunuchs typically African slaves. Women would not leave the Harem and their only link to the outside world were doctors and tailors. Women in the harem were well educated in the arts, poetry, and calligraphy. They would entertain themselves as well as the Shah. They would put on theatrical performances, passion plays, tell stories, play games as well as dance and play music. Later on foreign tutors were aloud in to the harem.
Wives
The Arts, Photography and Architecture
Architecture
Nasir Al-Din was quite interested in European architecture and he sought to merry the traditional Persian style, he wanted to make Tehran a modern city. The Shah restored and built quite a few buildings and roads. Restoration included the The Golestan Palace "Rose Garden Place", the Negarestan "Palace Place of paintings". He had architects add towers to the palaces. The Shah did not sleep in a single room he moved randomly from room to room, including some of the towers rooms which would be 4-6 stories high because he could restrict access and therefor making it easier to guard to prevent assassination. After the assassination attempt, by the Babis in 1852 he became more concerned with his safety. He had quite an extensive building project. He didn't just build in the capital either. Because things had improved during the Shah's rule his architects were able to use materials previously unavailable to them. During this time architects used bits of mirror like what is seen in the mirrored hall as well as traditional tiles. Nasir Al-Din had higher a number of foreigners for architecture and artisans some worked in his court as well. A Frenchman who had become his court photographer also was called an architecture adviser. He also commissioned Dust 'Ali Khan Mu'ayyir al-Mamalik Nizam al-Dawla, who was known for his European taste in style, to build a palace. He had already built a few lavish palaces the Sangilaj quarter as well as the Takiyya Dawlat in 1866 built to showcase the ta'ziya (a passion play) built to resemble Albert Hall in England. Muhammad 'Ali Kashi was made the Master builder in charge of construction of the palace. Large mirrors in the European style lined the walls above the cornice level. On the Caspian Sea the tower of Anzali construction was started in 1869. The design by royal command was pagoda-like, later completed construction was by Mirza Muhammad Husayn Khizana. At the foot of most of the towers was a pool of water. Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar was fascinated with Louis XIV, who had build in 1670 at Versaille a Chinese style building that inspired Nasir Al-Din to want a Chinese style building. The Shah's two story Saltanat Abad palace is the Largest palace he built 1857-1878, used as a summer palace and was located just outside of Tehran in the outskirts, in a district called Shamiran which is located in Mazandaran Province. It had a second pavilion called ābdārkhāna "Water house" which was a two story building built in front of a large water tank. The Ishratabad Palace was built north of Tehran. He also made modification to The Golestan palace in the capital Tehran.
Art
The shah was a patron of the arts he also could draw and paint. The Shah provided centers for training in painting and providing the necessary facilities for court artists. He was something of a painter and pen and ink artist himself, some of his art has survived '...two remarkable sketches he drew shortly before Nuri's dismissal, serving as therapeutic release of sentiments, one may assume, for what proved to one of the most critical decisions of his political life. Playful in their motivation, these caricatures added a convivial dimension to an otherwise grim affair. One could see him sketching them in the privacy of the andarum and sharing them with his beloved Jayran.' ~ (Pivot of the Universe: Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar and the Iranian Monarchy, By Abbas Amanat) He also drew his beloved Jayran.
Photography
Photography came to Persian around 1850 when Nasir al-Din Shah hired both Persian and foreign photographers. The Shah was also fond of photography, it was his favorite past time. He was also the first Shah to photograph their harem, giving the first glimpse into such a private affair in the Shah's personal life. He took the first photos of Persian women in general. He built a photography studio in Golestan Palace called Akkaskāna "The abode of photography". It was even taught at the Dar al-Funun College after 1860, because of the Shah's enthusiasm. The shah encouraged the elite to take up it up as a means of documentation and a fun past time. A French photographer named Francis Carlhian was brought to Persia in 1859. He also established a Photographic instatute, Akas Khanah-e Mobarak-e/ the royal photography studio, in one of the buildings in the Golestan Palace.
Writing
He was also a writer and a poet. He wrote 200 lines of verse in the preface of Majma'ul Fusahā (about poets of the Qajar period), by Reza-Qoli Khan Hedayat. He wrote several travel journals which are considered historically important, The Diary of H.M. the Shah of Persia during his tour through Europe in, 1873 and Hekāyāt Pir o Javān "The Tale of the Old and the Young" He also wrote several photography manuals.
Music
Learning music became common among the royal family at this time and more musicians in his court then in his father's. He even bestowed titles upon the great masters of music. Two French musicians composed the first royal band and a French musician came to open the first branch of music at the Academy of Arts in Iran. He built a theater with 300 seats and was limited to the Shah, princes, royalty, nobles, and their guests, and was set up for European theater. The Theater was run by Ali Akbar Mazin al-Dawla Kashani who had studied in France and could it speak fluently. The Shah himself spoke multiple languages including French and English although not completely fluent and found the European style fascinating.
~ Ref Palatial Towers of Nasir al-Din Shah : Muqarnas Vol. 21, Essays in Honor of J. M. Rogers (2004), p.33-43, by Kaveh Bakhtiar ; Three Photographic Traditions in Nineteenth-Century Iran, Muqarnas Vol. 6 , 1989, p.112-130 by Donna Stein https://www.jstor.org/stable/1602285?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior%3A91593bb023ce7bdee4d8f35c5faa69dc&seq=4 ; ROYAL PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY IN IRAN: Constructions of Masculinity, Representations of Power by ALI BEHDAD from Ars Orientalis Vol. 43, 2013, p. 32-45, https://www.jstor.org/stable/43490308?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior%3A933fd3f7fc6fcc06895f0c2a946bf221&seq=5
Architecture
Nasir Al-Din was quite interested in European architecture and he sought to merry the traditional Persian style, he wanted to make Tehran a modern city. The Shah restored and built quite a few buildings and roads. Restoration included the The Golestan Palace "Rose Garden Place", the Negarestan "Palace Place of paintings". He had architects add towers to the palaces. The Shah did not sleep in a single room he moved randomly from room to room, including some of the towers rooms which would be 4-6 stories high because he could restrict access and therefor making it easier to guard to prevent assassination. After the assassination attempt, by the Babis in 1852 he became more concerned with his safety. He had quite an extensive building project. He didn't just build in the capital either. Because things had improved during the Shah's rule his architects were able to use materials previously unavailable to them. During this time architects used bits of mirror like what is seen in the mirrored hall as well as traditional tiles. Nasir Al-Din had higher a number of foreigners for architecture and artisans some worked in his court as well. A Frenchman who had become his court photographer also was called an architecture adviser. He also commissioned Dust 'Ali Khan Mu'ayyir al-Mamalik Nizam al-Dawla, who was known for his European taste in style, to build a palace. He had already built a few lavish palaces the Sangilaj quarter as well as the Takiyya Dawlat in 1866 built to showcase the ta'ziya (a passion play) built to resemble Albert Hall in England. Muhammad 'Ali Kashi was made the Master builder in charge of construction of the palace. Large mirrors in the European style lined the walls above the cornice level. On the Caspian Sea the tower of Anzali construction was started in 1869. The design by royal command was pagoda-like, later completed construction was by Mirza Muhammad Husayn Khizana. At the foot of most of the towers was a pool of water. Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar was fascinated with Louis XIV, who had build in 1670 at Versaille a Chinese style building that inspired Nasir Al-Din to want a Chinese style building. The Shah's two story Saltanat Abad palace is the Largest palace he built 1857-1878, used as a summer palace and was located just outside of Tehran in the outskirts, in a district called Shamiran which is located in Mazandaran Province. It had a second pavilion called ābdārkhāna "Water house" which was a two story building built in front of a large water tank. The Ishratabad Palace was built north of Tehran. He also made modification to The Golestan palace in the capital Tehran.
Art
The shah was a patron of the arts he also could draw and paint. The Shah provided centers for training in painting and providing the necessary facilities for court artists. He was something of a painter and pen and ink artist himself, some of his art has survived '...two remarkable sketches he drew shortly before Nuri's dismissal, serving as therapeutic release of sentiments, one may assume, for what proved to one of the most critical decisions of his political life. Playful in their motivation, these caricatures added a convivial dimension to an otherwise grim affair. One could see him sketching them in the privacy of the andarum and sharing them with his beloved Jayran.' ~ (Pivot of the Universe: Nasir Al-Din Shah Qajar and the Iranian Monarchy, By Abbas Amanat) He also drew his beloved Jayran.
Photography
Photography came to Persian around 1850 when Nasir al-Din Shah hired both Persian and foreign photographers. The Shah was also fond of photography, it was his favorite past time. He was also the first Shah to photograph their harem, giving the first glimpse into such a private affair in the Shah's personal life. He took the first photos of Persian women in general. He built a photography studio in Golestan Palace called Akkaskāna "The abode of photography". It was even taught at the Dar al-Funun College after 1860, because of the Shah's enthusiasm. The shah encouraged the elite to take up it up as a means of documentation and a fun past time. A French photographer named Francis Carlhian was brought to Persia in 1859. He also established a Photographic instatute, Akas Khanah-e Mobarak-e/ the royal photography studio, in one of the buildings in the Golestan Palace.
Writing
He was also a writer and a poet. He wrote 200 lines of verse in the preface of Majma'ul Fusahā (about poets of the Qajar period), by Reza-Qoli Khan Hedayat. He wrote several travel journals which are considered historically important, The Diary of H.M. the Shah of Persia during his tour through Europe in, 1873 and Hekāyāt Pir o Javān "The Tale of the Old and the Young" He also wrote several photography manuals.
Music
Learning music became common among the royal family at this time and more musicians in his court then in his father's. He even bestowed titles upon the great masters of music. Two French musicians composed the first royal band and a French musician came to open the first branch of music at the Academy of Arts in Iran. He built a theater with 300 seats and was limited to the Shah, princes, royalty, nobles, and their guests, and was set up for European theater. The Theater was run by Ali Akbar Mazin al-Dawla Kashani who had studied in France and could it speak fluently. The Shah himself spoke multiple languages including French and English although not completely fluent and found the European style fascinating.
~ Ref Palatial Towers of Nasir al-Din Shah : Muqarnas Vol. 21, Essays in Honor of J. M. Rogers (2004), p.33-43, by Kaveh Bakhtiar ; Three Photographic Traditions in Nineteenth-Century Iran, Muqarnas Vol. 6 , 1989, p.112-130 by Donna Stein https://www.jstor.org/stable/1602285?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior%3A91593bb023ce7bdee4d8f35c5faa69dc&seq=4 ; ROYAL PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY IN IRAN: Constructions of Masculinity, Representations of Power by ALI BEHDAD from Ars Orientalis Vol. 43, 2013, p. 32-45, https://www.jstor.org/stable/43490308?read-now=1&refreqid=excelsior%3A933fd3f7fc6fcc06895f0c2a946bf221&seq=5
Naser al-Din when visiting the Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine on May 1, 1896, he was assassinated by Mirza Reza Kermani.
Daughter Pioneer
Zahra Khanom Tadj es-Saltaneh, Taj al-Saltaneh, تاجالسلطنه , also known as princess Qajar, she was born in 1883 her mother was one of Naser al-Din Shah's wives, Turan al-Saltaneh. She was the king's favorite daughter. She was an activist for women's rights, a very well known feminist and a member of The Society of Women's Freedom. She was betrothed at 8, engagement at 10 and married at 13 to and aristocrat by the name of Sardar Hassan Shojah al-Saltaneh. She ended up divorcing her husband which was a taboo, becoming the first women to get a divorce in the royal family. She even had an abortion out of fear of dying in childbirth. She spoke out against the damage caused by arranged marriage. She was and artist, writer, an intellectual and played the violin. She spoke Arabic and French. She took off her hijab and wore western clothes.
The Khanom
Malek Jahan Khanom
The Queen Mother/السلطانة الأم
La Khanum (French)
Khanum (Susan Kay)
Pronouced xɒːˈnʊm
The Queen Mother/السلطانة الأم
La Khanum (French)
Khanum (Susan Kay)
Pronouced xɒːˈnʊm
The Shah was shy and his mother the Khanom ruled over him. "And what is most striking is that of all the women depicted in his life his powerful mother, his sister, and the head of his harem Anis al-Dowleh-his, most favorite wife, Jayran, next to whom he is buried in the Shrine of Shah 'Abd al 'Aziz (where he was also assassinated)" ~ (Liminalities of Gender and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century Iranian Photography By Staci Gem Scheiwiller)
Jahan Qajar Ghovanloo (birth name), Jahan Khanom; (other names) Malek Djahan, Malek-Djahan Khanom ملكجهان خانم (Persian), Mahd-i-'Aliua/ Mahd-i 'Ulya/Mahd-e ʿOlyā /Mahdalia/ Mahd-Aulia (French) "Sublime Cradle" مهد علیا (Persian), reine-mère/ Mother Queen, La Khanum/Khanoum/Khanom خانم (Persian Maans Lady rulers from Turkish) was originally a title meaning Lady, Madam or princess, the female equivalent to the title of Khan.
Born on February 26, 1805 and died April 2, 1873. She was a Persian princess both by birth and marriage from the Qajar dynasty and came from a powerful family line. Her father was Amir Mohammad Ghassem Khan Qajar Qovanlou and her mother was Princess Begom Jan Qajar. She was married to Mohammad Shah Qajar of Persia her cousin at a young age. She was one of his first wives, because of her seniority, being of royal blood by birth, giving her husband 5 children and having her only surviving son succeed his father to the throne, she held great power. She wanted Britain to promise to support her son's reign. The Khanom also had one daughter and an adopted daughter who spoke perfect French.
She became de facto regent, and sat upon the Peacock Throne, becoming Queen Mother, for one about 40 days in 1848, from the death of her husband to her son's accession to the throne. Known as a hard-hearted woman, she is described as a cunning women, having great initiative and energy, well accomplished, strong personality, politically gifted who was strongly rooted in family and clan networks, who favored the support of the Qajar nobility rather than the commoners. The Khanom was one of the strongest women in the Qajar Dynasty, who wielded power over her son Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar from the she Harem held great prestige in, as soon as he ascended the throne. She knew how to read and write very well which was different from other women at this time. The Khanom studied Persian literature, recited poetry painted and embroidered. She spoke multiple languages and could also speak French to some extent. She was ambitious and very competent women who liked to live luxuriously. The Khanom and her son liked to host lavish parties were they invited domestic and foreign guests. This only helped to increased the rumors around him.
She was the very picture of matriarchy. She single-handedly strengthened and ensured the survival of the Qajar nobility against rivalries by commoners. However historians have painted her as more favorable then reality actually was. Rumors of her being unfaithful to her husband, their relationship being the worst it ever was right before his death and "and it seemed that if the Shah's nose had been a little better, he would have divorced her."~(http://tarikhirani.ir/fa/news/5898/مهدعلیا-ملکه-ای-که-۴۰-روز-سلطنت-کرد) However his ailing health and sever case of gout killed him. The Khanom was given the title of the most powerful woman in contemporary history, and the 'The Queen of the World' by her uncle, she was an authoritarian, who brought a bad a reputation and heavy slanders to her son's life. It was rumored she even poisoned Forough Al-Saltanah's the Shah's favorite wife's two boys. She was ruthless, power-hungry, reckless, resourceful, and crossed the boarders of the harem in order to wield her power. She lived 70's years and died in 1873.
Born on February 26, 1805 and died April 2, 1873. She was a Persian princess both by birth and marriage from the Qajar dynasty and came from a powerful family line. Her father was Amir Mohammad Ghassem Khan Qajar Qovanlou and her mother was Princess Begom Jan Qajar. She was married to Mohammad Shah Qajar of Persia her cousin at a young age. She was one of his first wives, because of her seniority, being of royal blood by birth, giving her husband 5 children and having her only surviving son succeed his father to the throne, she held great power. She wanted Britain to promise to support her son's reign. The Khanom also had one daughter and an adopted daughter who spoke perfect French.
She became de facto regent, and sat upon the Peacock Throne, becoming Queen Mother, for one about 40 days in 1848, from the death of her husband to her son's accession to the throne. Known as a hard-hearted woman, she is described as a cunning women, having great initiative and energy, well accomplished, strong personality, politically gifted who was strongly rooted in family and clan networks, who favored the support of the Qajar nobility rather than the commoners. The Khanom was one of the strongest women in the Qajar Dynasty, who wielded power over her son Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar from the she Harem held great prestige in, as soon as he ascended the throne. She knew how to read and write very well which was different from other women at this time. The Khanom studied Persian literature, recited poetry painted and embroidered. She spoke multiple languages and could also speak French to some extent. She was ambitious and very competent women who liked to live luxuriously. The Khanom and her son liked to host lavish parties were they invited domestic and foreign guests. This only helped to increased the rumors around him.
She was the very picture of matriarchy. She single-handedly strengthened and ensured the survival of the Qajar nobility against rivalries by commoners. However historians have painted her as more favorable then reality actually was. Rumors of her being unfaithful to her husband, their relationship being the worst it ever was right before his death and "and it seemed that if the Shah's nose had been a little better, he would have divorced her."~(http://tarikhirani.ir/fa/news/5898/مهدعلیا-ملکه-ای-که-۴۰-روز-سلطنت-کرد) However his ailing health and sever case of gout killed him. The Khanom was given the title of the most powerful woman in contemporary history, and the 'The Queen of the World' by her uncle, she was an authoritarian, who brought a bad a reputation and heavy slanders to her son's life. It was rumored she even poisoned Forough Al-Saltanah's the Shah's favorite wife's two boys. She was ruthless, power-hungry, reckless, resourceful, and crossed the boarders of the harem in order to wield her power. She lived 70's years and died in 1873.
~Ref https://minevisam.com/news/%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA/https://minevisam.com/news/%D8%B4%D8%AE%D8%B5%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B3%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA/;Iran Heads of State, Worldwide Guide To Women in Leadership. Retrieved 3 February 2017, http://tarikhirani.ir/fa/news/5898/ ; مهدعلیا-ملکه-ای-که-۴۰-روز-سلطنت-کرد
Jahan Khanom
The Khanom's best friend
A french account tells a story of Hadji Abbass and a French florist in 1881. The story she told she claimed that she had actually been of French-Muslim decent, from Orléans and was adopted into the Royal family when the Abbas fell in love with her for having the much sought after skill by the harem, of making fake flowers. She stated more then 60 years ago when a merchant brought artificial flowers to Persia the Harem women all fell in love because flowers fade fast in the heat of Persia and they all wanted to learn how to make them themselves and wanting to satisfy their whim, he sent his court painters to Paris to learn the skill of flower making. He was incapable of learning the skill despite being a skilled painter and pleaded with the Shah fearing for his life to bring a skilled flower girl back with him. He finds her, who spoke fluent French and she agreed to come back with him she then learned Persian. She became a florist at the court of the royal prince of Persia. Abbas asked her to merry him because of her skills which were pleasing to him she knew how to embroider, sing, dance, cook, make dresses and a lot of other things familiar to the grisettes of Paris. She learned to speak Persian and became a Muslim. She amused Mohammad Mizra with her stories of Europe. She became quite popular with the Harem. Her husband died only 10 years later and she was left with no children. She however became very close to the Khanom (who she describes as intelligent and energetic) and she took care of her children. She became best friends with the Khanom and taught her children to speak French. The Khanom adopted her as a second daughter. The French girl called her self the Governess of the Dauphine and the Dauphine of Persia. When Mohamed Shah died the French girl and the Nasir al-Din's Mother conspired to bring her son to power and to become the Shah. His mother took over the government and then started to gather powerful people behind her who agreed that her son should be Shah at the French girls advice. It worked. Six weeks after his father died he took the throne at 16. Naser al-Din Shah Qajar had the upmost confidence in both the French florist who was aloud to come and go as she pleased and his mother the Khanom. The French florist even aranged some of his first wives. The French florist was said to be the only foreigner who was admited to the court as a comrade and friend.
~ ref Mon voyage : souvenirs personnels by Carla Serena, 1881
~ ref Mon voyage : souvenirs personnels by Carla Serena, 1881
The Little Sultana
سلطانة/Saltanah "authority or power"
Forough al-Saltanah
"We find him (Érik) at the Nizhny Novgorod fair, where he performed in all his awful glory. Already he sang like no one else in the world had ever sung; he performed ventriloquism and indulged in extraordinary juggling which the caravans, on their return to Asia, still talked about all along the way. This is how his reputation passed the walls of the palace of Mazenderan, where the little sultana, favorite of the shah-en-shah, was bored." ~(Épilogue, PT translation)
The Shah-in-Shah, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, had over 25 wives and 85 concubines, finding the right wife that Leroux mentions prooved to be a little difficult, but not impossible. First we have some clues to examine. Leroux states she was called the little sultana and, his favorite wife. Taking those two clues alone used for research.
"Nasser-ed-Din Shah's wives (in order of marriage)
7th was Jayran, "Forough al-Saltaneh" (her royal title, Sultana), the Shah's favorite wife."
~ref. http://www.qajarpages.org/nassereddinchildren.html
"-his most favorite wife, Jayran,"
~ Liminalities of Gender and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century Iranian Photography
The Shah-in-Shah, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, had over 25 wives and 85 concubines, finding the right wife that Leroux mentions prooved to be a little difficult, but not impossible. First we have some clues to examine. Leroux states she was called the little sultana and, his favorite wife. Taking those two clues alone used for research.
"Nasser-ed-Din Shah's wives (in order of marriage)
7th was Jayran, "Forough al-Saltaneh" (her royal title, Sultana), the Shah's favorite wife."
~ref. http://www.qajarpages.org/nassereddinchildren.html
"-his most favorite wife, Jayran,"
~ Liminalities of Gender and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century Iranian Photography
Khadijeh Khanum Tajrishi/خدیجه خانم تجریشی (Birth name), (Known as) Jayran Tajrishi/ جیران تجریش (Persian), جیران/Jayran [jērân] means "gazelle" or "beautiful young woman" (Turkish word, was a title given, the Shah gave it to her due to her big black beautiful penetrating eyes) , (Name given by the Shah) Forough Al-Saltanah/ فروغ السلطنه "Shinning Sultana"(Persian), Madame la Gazelle (French). She came from the pleasant climate village of Kuhsar in تجریش/Tajrish neighborhood near Shemiran in Tehranand the daughter of a gardener and carpenter named Mohammad Ali Najjar. Her nationality and details were somewhat obscured. She was a musician and singer in the shrine of Madrashah. There are several accounts on how the Shah met Jayran. According to Abbas Amanat, the Shah saw her among his mother The Khanom's servants when she was brought to the Royal Palace to learn singing and dancing . And according to Tagi Khan Daneshwar, the Shah's personal violinist, backed up by Anis al-Dawla who told a similar story, he met her on a hunting trip in the Tajrish neighborhood, in the norther part of تهران/Tehran where he became fascinated with her beauty and courage. On the subject of beauty, during the Qajar dynasty, the time the story took place, the idea of beauty was very different. Effeminate features were more appreciated in men, they were suppose to be what we consider effeminate delicate and slim. Women on the other hand were suppose to be more masculine, Qajar princess were often obese, with mustaches and heavy eyebrows. During this time women would even use mascara to make their eyebrows more pronounced to give an over all more masculine look. This look was a sign of health, wealth, strength and fertility. Being thin was seen as a sign of being poor.
She was quite a controversial figure during the Qajar dynasty. She was the first mistress and was the most beloved of all his wives. The Shah was so taken by Jayran that she became one of his concubines and joined his harem, however he already had four wives so he couldn't marry her. The Shah's great attention and borderline obsession to Jayran, causing him to never be far from his beloved, made his wives angry as well as The Khanom. The Khanom believed as well as others that Jayran had used witch craft in order to gain influenced over the Shah. Being married also afforded the wife a higher position in the harem. Most of the women in the harem were of royal blood or came from families who held state positions and they did not like a rural peasant girl living among them. The title and position of "Jayran" held a lot of influence in the court which further caused resentment.
In order to legitimized his son with Jayran's linage and his relationship with her, he divorced his fourth wife so he could permanently marry Jayran. The Khanom was strongly against her marriage to her son, so much so she snubbed doing the typical wedding traditions for her and the Shah's sister had to invite the guests. They were married around 1850-1852. The Khanom was very opposed to Jayran as she was a pleasant and as a result did not go to their wedding nor did she do any of the proper traditions for her. Jayran had penetrated the heart and soul of the Shah so much that she was even able to interfere in the affairs of the country. She was also known to be cruel. Being from Tajrish a poor area and of common blood, she did not possessing any special beauty or grace, although the Shah seemed to write and say differently, claiming that she was the very picture of Persian poetry, he loved so much. Jayran was however said to be intelligent, curious, ambitious and outspoken. She was very lively and bold with her daring behavior, a skilled equestrian and hunter and would often accompany the Shah on his hunting trips. This was never done by women. She also was into falconry and would send her falcon "Ghazal"after partridge. While horse back riding she would wear men's boots and clothes and wrap her veil around her head which was unheard for women in the harem. One year after marring the Shah she had her first son. She gained even more influence by giving the Shah with a male heir. When the first son died the shah became more concerned for his second son Mohamad Qasim Mirza. The second son when he turned five was given the title "Amir Nezam" commander-in-chief of the army by the Shah. Jayran struggled to make her son legitimate because she was not of Qajar decent nor was she a married wife. However a fake linage was prepared in order to make her more worthy of being a wife to the Shah a to insure her son become crowned prince. They said her lineage was Ilkhanate kings of Mongols decent who the Qajars were related and Sassanid kings. After heavy persuasion and the Shah divorcing one of his wives so he could marring Jayran, the boy became the crown prince in September 1857. But the Khanom was strongly opposed to this. Soon after the boys coronation he fell ill. Fearing a conspiracy Jayran refused to admit doctors to her son's room. He later died one week after becoming the crown prince at age 5. It's thought two of her sons died from someone poisoning them, it was suspected the opposition to the Shah had done it. There was also rumored suspicious of the prime minister Mirza Aqa Khan Nuri. All of Jayran's children died one after another it was suspected a conspiracy of poisoning. Tuberculosis was also suspected. The Shah was devastated at the death of his son that he knocked himself against the wall and didn't eat for days. Jayran become depressed.
Jayran became ill it is believe with tuberculosis, although it is also possible she was poisoned too. The Shah visited her bed side several times a day for several hours at a time as her health declined. He gave her medicine himself, but she did not get any better. She died in 1860 with the Shah by her side, It was thought from an illness on top of tuberculosis. She was buried near the shrine of Abdul Azim and the garden around were she was buried became known as the Jayran's Garden. Her death had such an impact on the Shah, he would lock himself up in her private mansion and spend time with her things reminiscing and he spent more and more time in his harem and forgot about his royal responsibilities. It is said he ended up marring Jayran's hand maiden Fatemah Sultan Baghbanbashi later known as Anis al-Dawla because she grew up with her and had similar morals and personality. But no one ever compared to his favorite. The Shah never recovered from loosing Jayran, he would not allow any one to live in his mansion and refused to give the title Forough Al-Saltanah or Jayran to anyone else. It is reported that after Mirza Reza Kermani shot the Shah he reached Jayran's tomb and died next to her. He was buried next to her.
~ref. http://www.qajarpages.org/nassereddinchildren.html, Liminalities of Gender and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century Iranian Photography By Staci Gem Scheiwiller, https://davatonline.ir/content ; https://www.arshehonline.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%B1-79/9534-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%B9%D8%B4%D9%82-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3-%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9%DB%8C ; https://goirantours.com/how-princess-qajar-pass-their-life ; https://www.hmoob.in/wiki/Jeyran_%28wife_of_Naser_al-Din_Shah%29 ; https://artigos.wiki/blog/en/Jeyran_%28wife_of_Naser_al-Din_Shah%29 ; https://www-hamshahrionline-ir.translate.goog/news/624107/%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%86%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B0%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B2%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%BA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C?_x_tr_sl=fa&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
She was quite a controversial figure during the Qajar dynasty. She was the first mistress and was the most beloved of all his wives. The Shah was so taken by Jayran that she became one of his concubines and joined his harem, however he already had four wives so he couldn't marry her. The Shah's great attention and borderline obsession to Jayran, causing him to never be far from his beloved, made his wives angry as well as The Khanom. The Khanom believed as well as others that Jayran had used witch craft in order to gain influenced over the Shah. Being married also afforded the wife a higher position in the harem. Most of the women in the harem were of royal blood or came from families who held state positions and they did not like a rural peasant girl living among them. The title and position of "Jayran" held a lot of influence in the court which further caused resentment.
In order to legitimized his son with Jayran's linage and his relationship with her, he divorced his fourth wife so he could permanently marry Jayran. The Khanom was strongly against her marriage to her son, so much so she snubbed doing the typical wedding traditions for her and the Shah's sister had to invite the guests. They were married around 1850-1852. The Khanom was very opposed to Jayran as she was a pleasant and as a result did not go to their wedding nor did she do any of the proper traditions for her. Jayran had penetrated the heart and soul of the Shah so much that she was even able to interfere in the affairs of the country. She was also known to be cruel. Being from Tajrish a poor area and of common blood, she did not possessing any special beauty or grace, although the Shah seemed to write and say differently, claiming that she was the very picture of Persian poetry, he loved so much. Jayran was however said to be intelligent, curious, ambitious and outspoken. She was very lively and bold with her daring behavior, a skilled equestrian and hunter and would often accompany the Shah on his hunting trips. This was never done by women. She also was into falconry and would send her falcon "Ghazal"after partridge. While horse back riding she would wear men's boots and clothes and wrap her veil around her head which was unheard for women in the harem. One year after marring the Shah she had her first son. She gained even more influence by giving the Shah with a male heir. When the first son died the shah became more concerned for his second son Mohamad Qasim Mirza. The second son when he turned five was given the title "Amir Nezam" commander-in-chief of the army by the Shah. Jayran struggled to make her son legitimate because she was not of Qajar decent nor was she a married wife. However a fake linage was prepared in order to make her more worthy of being a wife to the Shah a to insure her son become crowned prince. They said her lineage was Ilkhanate kings of Mongols decent who the Qajars were related and Sassanid kings. After heavy persuasion and the Shah divorcing one of his wives so he could marring Jayran, the boy became the crown prince in September 1857. But the Khanom was strongly opposed to this. Soon after the boys coronation he fell ill. Fearing a conspiracy Jayran refused to admit doctors to her son's room. He later died one week after becoming the crown prince at age 5. It's thought two of her sons died from someone poisoning them, it was suspected the opposition to the Shah had done it. There was also rumored suspicious of the prime minister Mirza Aqa Khan Nuri. All of Jayran's children died one after another it was suspected a conspiracy of poisoning. Tuberculosis was also suspected. The Shah was devastated at the death of his son that he knocked himself against the wall and didn't eat for days. Jayran become depressed.
Jayran became ill it is believe with tuberculosis, although it is also possible she was poisoned too. The Shah visited her bed side several times a day for several hours at a time as her health declined. He gave her medicine himself, but she did not get any better. She died in 1860 with the Shah by her side, It was thought from an illness on top of tuberculosis. She was buried near the shrine of Abdul Azim and the garden around were she was buried became known as the Jayran's Garden. Her death had such an impact on the Shah, he would lock himself up in her private mansion and spend time with her things reminiscing and he spent more and more time in his harem and forgot about his royal responsibilities. It is said he ended up marring Jayran's hand maiden Fatemah Sultan Baghbanbashi later known as Anis al-Dawla because she grew up with her and had similar morals and personality. But no one ever compared to his favorite. The Shah never recovered from loosing Jayran, he would not allow any one to live in his mansion and refused to give the title Forough Al-Saltanah or Jayran to anyone else. It is reported that after Mirza Reza Kermani shot the Shah he reached Jayran's tomb and died next to her. He was buried next to her.
~ref. http://www.qajarpages.org/nassereddinchildren.html, Liminalities of Gender and Sexuality in Nineteenth-Century Iranian Photography By Staci Gem Scheiwiller, https://davatonline.ir/content ; https://www.arshehonline.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF-%D9%87%D9%86%D8%B1-79/9534-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D8%B9%D8%B4%D9%82-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%DA%A9%D8%B3-%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9%DB%8C ; https://goirantours.com/how-princess-qajar-pass-their-life ; https://www.hmoob.in/wiki/Jeyran_%28wife_of_Naser_al-Din_Shah%29 ; https://artigos.wiki/blog/en/Jeyran_%28wife_of_Naser_al-Din_Shah%29 ; https://www-hamshahrionline-ir.translate.goog/news/624107/%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%86%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B0%D8%AA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B2%D9%86-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%BA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%DB%8C?_x_tr_sl=fa&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
Some claim only a painting remains of what Jayran looked like others Persian sites claim there are photos are of her, but no officially labeled photos of Jayran.
The Shah's Second Favorite
Fatemah Sultan Baghbanbashi/Fatima Sultan Khanum/Fāṭema Solṭān, also known as Anisé Dowleh/Anisodole, "beloved of the empire/bien aimée de l’empire" was born in a village, northeast of Tehran called Lavāsān and was the daughter of an impoverished shepherd. Nasir al-Din Shah met her on one of his hunting trips. He found her eloquent and sweet-spoken and brought her back to Tehran. Jeyran (His first favorite wife) "his favorite and all the women of the royal enderùn/sa favorite et toutes les femmes de l’enderùn royal". Jeyran was tasked with giving her social etiquette. Fatemah was employed in 1859 as a free maidservant to Jeyran. She was the shah's second favorite after Jeyran's death in 1860. When Jeyran died her house and furniture were handed over Anisé Dowleh. She became the royal consort of shah Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. She reminded him of Jayran because she grew up with her and had similar morals and personality, she also looked similar to Jayran especially her eyes. She soon gained a position and influence. She had a bold personality and was one of the few to openly criticize the Shah. Her position was almost that of a queen and was superior over all the other wives. She entertain guests, brought the Shah his meals and would join him at bedtime regularly after he received visits from his other wives. She became his wife and becoming the most influential of all his wives and gained great fame within the court. She left the harem when most were not aloud to leave. She was the first to traveled with the Shah to Europe and later Moscow. She also adopted the European style attire. She even influenced the makeup of Persian women. She replace the heavy and coarse make-up that that was popular before her time, with soft and fashionable make-up of Europe. She also inspired women's clothing. She modernized fashion in Persia. She was incredibly loyalty to the Shah. Her and the Shah's mother came with fundamental innovative policy. When the Shah's mother died in 1873 Anisé Dowleh took over duties. She received the wives of foreign ambassadors and visiting heads of state. She had her hand in the 1873 dismissal of the Preminister Mirza Hosein Khan Moshir od-Dowleh. Many photos were taken of her. In 1896 after receiving the news of her husband's death she died her self.
~Ref Mon voyage : souvenirs personnels. Une européenne en Perse / par Mme Carla Séréna by Carla Serena, 1881 , p154 , https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k9935940
~Ref Mon voyage : souvenirs personnels. Une européenne en Perse / par Mme Carla Séréna by Carla Serena, 1881 , p154 , https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k9935940
Persia
Persia or Perse (French), which comes from the Pars tribes where it's name came from, and was know officially as Persia till 1935, when it became known as Iran. However Persian is also an ethnicity. There of course is more then just Persians living in Persia at the time, but they made up a large amount of the population. Persian is also a dialect. According to Carla Serena in her book Carla Mon voyage : souvenirs personnels. Une européenne en Perse, 1881 : The Persians do not know the different countries of Europe and call it Frenghistan and refer to Europeans as Frenghi. She also calls it the the country of poets and roses.
مازرون / Mazandaran / مازندران
Pronounced Māzerun, or Mazandron (more anglicized), Le Mazandéran (French), Is a Persian Province located in the center of the city of Sari in northern Persian and on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea and borders the provinces of Golestan , Semnan , Tehran , Alborz , Qazvin and Gilan. It is split into two parts, the coastal plains and the mountainous regions. Mazandaran has some of the most diverse landscapes, which include plains, prairies, forests, snow capped mountains, rain forests and the sandy beaches of the Caspian Sea. It can be cold, cloudy and misty and often was used as a summer retreat. The Shah's Saltanat Abad palace is the Largest palace he built 1857-1878, used as a summer palace and was located just outside of Tehran, in a district called Shamiran which is located in Mazandaran Province. This province includes one of the tallest peaks in all of Asia. It is also one of the most heavily populated areas in all of Persia. In Mazandaran several languages are spoken including Mazanderani/تبرستون. The Mazandaran at a lot of seafood due is consumed due to it's location to the Caspian Sea although the further you move into the mountain regions you get more indigenous herbs although all food is served with rice.
Mazandaran, due to its importance in the Qajar period especially during Nasser al-Din reign, has always been a transit point for foreign officials and Russian and British consulates have been established in this area. Roads were constructed to connect Tehran to Mazandaran as the capital. A French man by the name of Monsieur Brunier was commissioned to build it. Hasan Ali Khan Wazir was appointed who collaboration with Austrian engineer Gastigir Khan, to fix up roads in Haraz (Larijan route) and Chalous valleys. The tribes in Mazandaran had close relations with the Qajar government. The Qajar tribe occupied Mazandaran for a long time and was the powerful tribe in the Persian Empire. Fath Ali Shah Qajar ruled Mazandaran for thirty-seven years.
Les Kadjars : vie de Nasser-ed-Din-Chah by Raoul Cordier
Mazandaran, due to its importance in the Qajar period especially during Nasser al-Din reign, has always been a transit point for foreign officials and Russian and British consulates have been established in this area. Roads were constructed to connect Tehran to Mazandaran as the capital. A French man by the name of Monsieur Brunier was commissioned to build it. Hasan Ali Khan Wazir was appointed who collaboration with Austrian engineer Gastigir Khan, to fix up roads in Haraz (Larijan route) and Chalous valleys. The tribes in Mazandaran had close relations with the Qajar government. The Qajar tribe occupied Mazandaran for a long time and was the powerful tribe in the Persian Empire. Fath Ali Shah Qajar ruled Mazandaran for thirty-seven years.
Les Kadjars : vie de Nasser-ed-Din-Chah by Raoul Cordier
Tehran/تهران
Agha Mohammad Khan from the Qajar dynasty moved the the capital of Persia to Tehran Province in 1786.
Persian is the city's native tongue spoken by roughly 98% of the population. The majority of people in Tehran identify themselves as Persians.
Interesting fact in July it can reach 110°F
Click for a map of the region from 1857
Persian is the city's native tongue spoken by roughly 98% of the population. The majority of people in Tehran identify themselves as Persians.
Interesting fact in July it can reach 110°F
Click for a map of the region from 1857
Golestan Palace
Gulistan Palace
"Rose Garden Palace"
Kakheh Golestān/ کاخ گلستان
"land of the rose garden/ گلستان" , "Place/ کاخ "
Is the royal complex in Tehran, built during the reign of Shah Abbas Safavid around in 1524–1576, and is one of the oldest buildings in Tehran. Golestan Palace belongs to a group of 17 structures and palaces that were once enclosed within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran's arg "citadel". It was surrounded by gardens, pools of water, trees and was known for its roses. It's facade is adorned with elaborately painted tile that features many roses. The palace had large halls pained galleries, mosaics, geometric patterns, paintings, the whole scene was reminiscent of thousand and one Arabian nights.
From the Qajar dynasty Agha Mohammad Khan made Tehran the capital and the Golestan Palace became the official Palace of Qajar dynasty. During the 131 years that the Qajar dynasty ruled 17 structures were constructed here, museums, library, archives, halls, palaces and a royal citadel. Nasser al-Din had connected through narrow corridors the Golestan Palace to the shrine of the house and constructed a women’s quarter meant for his harem which had up to 1,200 women, including wives, relatives, servants and slaves. The complex has 8 palaces that combined European styles with Persian art. The palace was not only a place for the royal family, but also education of artists and architects. During the 19th century it was known for it's production of art and became and an important art center and was known for combining Persian and European art
Gulistan Palace
"Rose Garden Palace"
Kakheh Golestān/ کاخ گلستان
"land of the rose garden/ گلستان" , "Place/ کاخ "
Is the royal complex in Tehran, built during the reign of Shah Abbas Safavid around in 1524–1576, and is one of the oldest buildings in Tehran. Golestan Palace belongs to a group of 17 structures and palaces that were once enclosed within the mud-thatched walls of Tehran's arg "citadel". It was surrounded by gardens, pools of water, trees and was known for its roses. It's facade is adorned with elaborately painted tile that features many roses. The palace had large halls pained galleries, mosaics, geometric patterns, paintings, the whole scene was reminiscent of thousand and one Arabian nights.
From the Qajar dynasty Agha Mohammad Khan made Tehran the capital and the Golestan Palace became the official Palace of Qajar dynasty. During the 131 years that the Qajar dynasty ruled 17 structures were constructed here, museums, library, archives, halls, palaces and a royal citadel. Nasser al-Din had connected through narrow corridors the Golestan Palace to the shrine of the house and constructed a women’s quarter meant for his harem which had up to 1,200 women, including wives, relatives, servants and slaves. The complex has 8 palaces that combined European styles with Persian art. The palace was not only a place for the royal family, but also education of artists and architects. During the 19th century it was known for it's production of art and became and an important art center and was known for combining Persian and European art
During Nasser al-Din rule the palace was expanded significantly. He hired both European and Persian artisans. The museum he had built which has an extensive archive, full of painting and photographs many painted and taken by Nasser al-Din himself, is said to be best example Qajar architecture. Nasser al-Din Shah ordered a government reliance building be built. This building being constructed attracted the attention historians and artists both Persian and non-Persian alike. Nasser al-Din decided to in the middle of the garden to build new style palace for his dormitory, done in the European-style. Haj Ali Khan Hajeb an architect hired by Nasser al-Din Shah made changes to the Emarat Badgir and designed the current look of it we see today. Nasser al-Din hired both Austrian and French architects in Tehran to implement European architecture ideas. The Golestan Palace became the centre of Qajari arts and architecture.
~Ref "The Golestan Palace Library and Archive in Tehran", Dissertation Reviews. Retrieved 2017-01-02, http://dissertationreviews.org/the-golestan-palace-library-and-archive-in-tehran; http://www.golestanpalace.ir ; “The Peculiarities of Golestan Palace’s Art and Architecture from the Perspective/ویژگ یهای هنری و معماری کاخ گلستان از نگاه
سفرنام هنویسان", by Abbas Panahi Associate Professor of History, Research Institute of ; https://sakhtemanonline.com/blog/architecture-of-golestan-palace-of-tehran ; https://legendaryiran.com/blog/golestan-palace-in-tehran/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-16 ; https://www.satitravel.com/en/attraction/golestan-palace/
~Ref "The Golestan Palace Library and Archive in Tehran", Dissertation Reviews. Retrieved 2017-01-02, http://dissertationreviews.org/the-golestan-palace-library-and-archive-in-tehran; http://www.golestanpalace.ir ; “The Peculiarities of Golestan Palace’s Art and Architecture from the Perspective/ویژگ یهای هنری و معماری کاخ گلستان از نگاه
سفرنام هنویسان", by Abbas Panahi Associate Professor of History, Research Institute of ; https://sakhtemanonline.com/blog/architecture-of-golestan-palace-of-tehran ; https://legendaryiran.com/blog/golestan-palace-in-tehran/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-16 ; https://www.satitravel.com/en/attraction/golestan-palace/
Mirrored Hall's
Erik's Torture chamber is described as being based off one he built for the Shah of Persia.
Many rooms in the Golestan Palace were mirrored and the Shah at the time of the story did indeed have a Torture chamber.
Many rooms in the Golestan Palace were mirrored and the Shah at the time of the story did indeed have a Torture chamber.
Hall of Diamonds/Talar e Almas /تالار الماس
Located in the south wing of the Golestan Palace. Built during Fath-Ali Shah rule construction started in 1837 and lasted till 1845, work was being done on it till 1870's. It was famouse for its extraordinary mirror work next to the windcatcher mansion. It was renovated during Nasser al-Din Shah rule, replacing the ogival arches with Roman ones and added European wall paper.
Mirrored Hall/Talar e Ayneh/تالار آینه
The most famous of the halls of the Golestan Palace, this fairly small hall is dedicated to housing the Peacock Throne. Built around the 1870's it's located above the entrance in the main building, in the west of Salam Hall. Known for its incrdible mirror was. The hall was designed by Haj Abd ol Hossein Memar Bashi (Sanie Al Molk). Mirza Yahya Khan Motamed Al-Molk, who was the Minister of Architecture, was the construction supervisor, built under Nasser al-Din Shah rule. The mirrors give an appearance of the room being larger then it actually is. The south side of the building overlooks the gardens. During Nasser al-Din Shah reign various species of birds were kept in the mirrored hall. It was famously depicted by the Persain Painter Kamal-ol-Molk.
Brelian Hall
Talar e Brelian "Brilliant Hall"
Talar e Brelian "Brilliant Hall"
It was so named because of the brilliant mirror work. As well there is the Brelian Hall built by Nasser ed Din Shah to replace the older Talar e Bolour "the Crystal Hall" built by Fath Ali Shah, which sadly had been ruined by moisture. Brelian Hall was famous for its mirror work and chandeliers.
Talar’e Salam
Talar-e Salam
Talar-e Salam
Built in the north west of Golestan Palace originally meant to be museum later was used for the King to hold special receptions. Naser-al Din shah spent free time decorating and changing the hall. painted tiles and mirrors decorate the walls
Shams ol Emareh
Shams al-Imarat
Shams al-'Imāra
"Edifice of the Sun"
At five stories it is the tallest building in the Golestan Palace. Nasser al-Din after seeing the tall buildings Europe ordered the construction in 1865 on Shams ol-Emareh. It was the first five story building in Persia and was built to be a observatory to overlooked Tehran landscape. It was designed by Moayer al-Mamaalek and built by architect Ustad Mohammad-Ali Kashi from 1865-1867. It was a marriage of both European and Persian styles and atop it's two towers turrets. It was designed with polychrome tiles and stained glass. The first floor the main talar of the building and the rooms attached to it have decorative mirror work.
Ref https://www.archnet.org/sites/3916; https://www.irannamag.com/en/article/page/3/(B&W photo)
Ref https://www.archnet.org/sites/3916; https://www.irannamag.com/en/article/page/3/(B&W photo)
Shams al-Imarat
Mirror room
Mirror room
Shamsolemārah
Imarat-i Badgir
Windcatcher/Windbraker Mansion
Windcatcher/Windbraker Mansion
The Imarat-i Badgir originally built by Fath Ali Shah in 1813 was renovation in 1853 by Naser al-Din Shah. The mirror and tile work decorate the interior walls and ceiling of the building's talar. It featured in the basement a pond house called howz khaneh and wind catchers that circulated air which passed over the water pools cooling the building down.
Ref https://www.archnet.org/sites/3916
Ref https://www.archnet.org/sites/3916
Pond House
The Pond House architecture oddly looks similar to the architecture of the Fountain under the grand staircase in the Opera House.
Takht’e Marmar/Marble Throne
Taxt-e Marmar/تخت مرمر
Taxt-e Marmar/تخت مرمر
The Marble Throne was originally built 1747- 1751, designed by Mirza Baba Shirazi and built of famous yellow marble of Yazd. The Royal Balcony of the Marble Throne was said to be built in reign of Karim Khan
The Terrance was furnished with a marble throne by Fath Ali Shah in 1806.
The Terrance was furnished with a marble throne by Fath Ali Shah in 1806.
Tekyeh Dowlat
Theater
Theater
The Shah had the Takiyya Dawlat built in 1866 to showcase the ta'ziya or Taziyeh ceremonies (a passion play) and other ceremonies. It was meant to resemble Albert Hall in England. Located on the southeast side of Golestan Palace and in the southwest of Shams al-Amara. The bottom floor could hold 4000 women. The building has been credited to the architect Hossein Ali Mehrin. The Shah would invite foreign diplomats to his theater.
Other Palaces
Shahrestanak Palace
Northeast of Karaj, Kan District, in the Shahrestanak village in Asara district, Tehran
Shahrestanak which was built high in the Alborz overlooked the Farahabad Garden palace and Tehran ( in 1879?). The royal family would go as well as the Shah's mother as attested in The diary of the Shah of Persia during his tour through Europe in 1873, by Nasir al-Dīn Shah. Known for it's Almaons, green plums, and yellow and red roses. Nasir al-Dīn Shah used it as his summer palace where he could go sightseeing and hunting.
Iran A Modern History By Abbas Amanat, 2017, p.290; https://www.alaedin.travel/en/attractions/iran/karaj/naser-al-din-shah-palace
Northeast of Karaj, Kan District, in the Shahrestanak village in Asara district, Tehran
Shahrestanak which was built high in the Alborz overlooked the Farahabad Garden palace and Tehran ( in 1879?). The royal family would go as well as the Shah's mother as attested in The diary of the Shah of Persia during his tour through Europe in 1873, by Nasir al-Dīn Shah. Known for it's Almaons, green plums, and yellow and red roses. Nasir al-Dīn Shah used it as his summer palace where he could go sightseeing and hunting.
Iran A Modern History By Abbas Amanat, 2017, p.290; https://www.alaedin.travel/en/attractions/iran/karaj/naser-al-din-shah-palace
Soleymaniyeh Palace
Karaj, Tehran (a Satellite citie, municipalities that are adjacent to a principal city)
Was a Qajar royal residence, built in 1810s named after the Shah's (Fath-Ali Shah Qajar/فتحعلىشاه قاجار) son Soleiman Mirza. The architect was Hajji Mohammad Hossein Isfahani and was used till 1860. It was meant to be a summer resort. It had four towers surrounded by gardens. It had one tower that had five floors. Nasir al-Dīn Shah went here as attested in his The diary of the Shah of Persia. His private photographer came there.
Iran A Modern History By Abbas Amanat, 2017, p.290
Karaj, Tehran (a Satellite citie, municipalities that are adjacent to a principal city)
Was a Qajar royal residence, built in 1810s named after the Shah's (Fath-Ali Shah Qajar/فتحعلىشاه قاجار) son Soleiman Mirza. The architect was Hajji Mohammad Hossein Isfahani and was used till 1860. It was meant to be a summer resort. It had four towers surrounded by gardens. It had one tower that had five floors. Nasir al-Dīn Shah went here as attested in his The diary of the Shah of Persia. His private photographer came there.
Iran A Modern History By Abbas Amanat, 2017, p.290
Nigaristan Palace
Tehran
Built by Fath-Ali Shah Qajar and was intended to be a summer palace. Know for it's full-length portraits of the king painted in oils.
Tehran
Built by Fath-Ali Shah Qajar and was intended to be a summer palace. Know for it's full-length portraits of the king painted in oils.
Sahebgharaniyeh Palace
Jahan Nama Palace
Tehran
Jahan Nama Palace
Tehran
Built in 1850 by Nasir al-Din
War
under construction
Possibly hints to Erik
« Mes amis, je suis innocent, et regrette de vous avoir déplu. Mais comment désobéir au roi des rois qui, peut-être, m’eût fait serrer trop fort le cou avec les lacets de soie usités en Perse. »
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The Shah's Hakim writes:
"My friends, I am innocent, and regret to have displeased you. But how can I disobey the king of kings who, perhaps, would have made me tighten my neck too much with the silk/floss laces used in Persia." would have made me tighten around my neck too tightly the silk/floss laces used in Persia ." |
Mon voyage : souvenirs personnels. Une européenne en Perse by Mme Carla Séréna, 1881 p.227 https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k9935940
Hadji Abbass♂ + Khanum Hadji Abbass ♀
Fath-Ali Shah Qajar♂+ Asiyeh Khanum♀
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Amir Mohammad Ghassem Khan Qajar♂ + Princess Begom Jan Qajar♀ | Abbas Mirza♂ + Asieh Khanom♀
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Malek Jahan Khanom♀ + Mohammad Shah Qajar♂
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Malek Mirza♂
Mahmoud Mirza♂
Keshvar Khanum♂
Ezzat ed-Dowleh Khanum♂
Raja Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar + Jayran♀
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Sultan Mohammad Mirza♂(died at 8)
Mohammad Qasim Mirza "Amir Nezam" named crown prince ♂ (died at 5)
Sultan Rokn al-Din Mirza♂ (died at 3)
Khurshid Kolah (died at 2)
+ Anīs-al-dawla♀ (maid to Jayran and wife Nasir)
+ Amīna Aqdas♀ (maid to Anīs and wife Nasir)
+ Tooran al-Saltaneh♀(wife Nasir)
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Zahra Khanom Tadj es-Saltaneh♀+ Hassan Khan Shojah al-Saltaneh♂ (divorced)+Qollar-Aqasi Bashi♂
+Efet-od-Dowleh♀ (wife Nasir)
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Mass'oud Mirza Zell-e Soltan♂
+Shokuh-ol-Saltaneh♀ (wife Nasir)
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Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar♂+Taj ol-Molouk♀
+Khujastah Khanum
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Fatimah Khanum (ʻIsmat al-Dawlah)♀ +Dust Muhammad Khan Muʻayyir al-Mamalik♂
+Monir al-Saltaneh♀ (wife Nasir)
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Kamran Mirza Nayeb es-Saltaneh♂
+princess Zinat es-Saltaneh♀ (wife Nasir, Granddaughter of Abbas Mirza)
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Nosrat al-Din Mirza Salar es-Saltaneh♂
Khadije Khanom Ezz es-Saltaneh♂
Fath-Ali Shah Qajar♂+ Asiyeh Khanum♀
|
Amir Mohammad Ghassem Khan Qajar♂ + Princess Begom Jan Qajar♀ | Abbas Mirza♂ + Asieh Khanom♀
| |
Malek Jahan Khanom♀ + Mohammad Shah Qajar♂
|
Malek Mirza♂
Mahmoud Mirza♂
Keshvar Khanum♂
Ezzat ed-Dowleh Khanum♂
Raja Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar + Jayran♀
|
Sultan Mohammad Mirza♂(died at 8)
Mohammad Qasim Mirza "Amir Nezam" named crown prince ♂ (died at 5)
Sultan Rokn al-Din Mirza♂ (died at 3)
Khurshid Kolah (died at 2)
+ Anīs-al-dawla♀ (maid to Jayran and wife Nasir)
+ Amīna Aqdas♀ (maid to Anīs and wife Nasir)
+ Tooran al-Saltaneh♀(wife Nasir)
|
Zahra Khanom Tadj es-Saltaneh♀+ Hassan Khan Shojah al-Saltaneh♂ (divorced)+Qollar-Aqasi Bashi♂
+Efet-od-Dowleh♀ (wife Nasir)
|
Mass'oud Mirza Zell-e Soltan♂
+Shokuh-ol-Saltaneh♀ (wife Nasir)
|
Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar♂+Taj ol-Molouk♀
+Khujastah Khanum
|
Fatimah Khanum (ʻIsmat al-Dawlah)♀ +Dust Muhammad Khan Muʻayyir al-Mamalik♂
+Monir al-Saltaneh♀ (wife Nasir)
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Kamran Mirza Nayeb es-Saltaneh♂
+princess Zinat es-Saltaneh♀ (wife Nasir, Granddaughter of Abbas Mirza)
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Nosrat al-Din Mirza Salar es-Saltaneh♂
Khadije Khanom Ezz es-Saltaneh♂