‘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.
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