Thursday, September 21, 2017

Ahmad Khan Qajar (General Staff, 1916-1923)

‘Ala-ud-Daulah (Ahmad Khan, Qajar)



Born about 1852. Son of the late Ala-ud-Daulah, Amir-i-Nizam. Was for many years Chamberlain to Nasir-ud-din Shah, and in command of the Mahdia Brigade. Was subsequently appointed Governor of Khamsah, a post which he held for several years. He was appointed Governor-General of ‘Arabistan in 1896, and recalled in 1897. His Governorship in ‘Arabistan was marked by strong measures directed against the Saiyids of Shustar and Dizful, in attempting to reduce whom to order some blood was shed. Intrigues caused by the priesthood in Tehran led to his recall. Appointed Governor of Mazandaran, Nauruz 1899, and Governor of Astarabad in 1900. Governor of Kirmanshah in 1902 and Governor-General of Fars (Shiraz) in 1903 and again from June to November 1906. Was Minister of the Court from January―March 1907. He took prominent part during the popular movement in 1907  and incurred the Shah’s displeasure. Was beaten and disgraced by the Shah, December 15, 1907, and arrested, June 7, 1908, and expelled the country. Was appointed in November 1903 Muzaffar-ud-Din Shah’s representative to meet Lord Curzon on the occasion of the Viceroy’s tour in the Persian Gulf. Owing, however, to the misunderstanding which occurred he did not meet Lord Curzon at Bushire. Married a daughter, ‘Azad-ul-Mulk; by whom he had two daughters, one of whom married Mushir-ud-Daulah and another Amir-i-A’zam, whose sister married the ‘Ala-ud-Daulah’s son Sahm-ud-Daulah. Brothers ― Nazim-us-Sultanah, Mu’in-ud-Daulah, Ihtisham-us-Sultanah. A strong, vigorous administrator of the old, rather bloodthirsty type, quick to crucify or brick up alive highway robbers and troublesome nomads. He was able to maintain order in Fars when Governor-General there.



Who's who in Persia. Calcutta: General Staff, India, 1916-1923, p. 20.

No comments:

Post a Comment