Mehdi-Qoli Mirza Qajar
Mehdi-Qoli Mirza Qajar (Persian: مهدیقلی میرزا قاجار), titled Saham al-Mulk (سهامالملک) was a prince of the Qajar dynasty, a military leader, and an administrator. He was the son of Mohammad Vali Mirza and a grandson of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar.[1]
Biography
[edit]Mehdi-Qoli Mirza took part in the Herat campaign, a key military endeavor of the Qajar era, and served as Mir-Akhor (میرآخور; lit. master of the stables) to Morad Mirza, the son of Abbas Mirza.[2] In 1873, he was appointed as the head of Iran’s Chaparkhaneh (چاپارخانه; lit.postal system), a vital component of Qajar administrative infrastructure.[2]
In 1885, he was tasked with suppressing a rebellion in Mashhad, demonstrating his administrative skills.[2] He later served as the governor of Yazd from 1899–1900, during which he worked to prevent sectarian violence, including efforts to protect the Babi community.[3] His governorship was succeeded by Soltan Hossein Mirza Jalal ed-Dowleh, the son of Mass'oud Mirza Zell-e Soltan.
Custodianship of Astan-e Quds Razavi
[edit]Between 1902–1904, Mehdi-Qoli Mirza held the position of custodian of the Astan-e Quds Razavi, overseeing the administration of the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. His tenure ended with his death in July 1904.[4]
Philanthropy
[edit]Mehdi-Qoli Mirza donated a substantial portion of his wealth to the Astan-e Quds Razavi, establishing charitable endowments to support the shrine and its associated institutions.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Bamdad, Mehdi (1972). شرح حال رجال ایران در قرن ۱۲ و ۱۳ و ۱۴ هجری [Biographies of [notable] personages of Iran in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, vol. 4].
- ^ a b c Mir-Hosseini, Mohammad-Hassan. "The Evolution of Political and Social Developments in Yazd During the Constitutional Era." Journal of Archives Treasure (Ganjīneh-ye Asnād), no. 66, Summer 2007, pp. 35–37.
- ^ Iraj Mirza Qajar (2015). Golshan Mahmoud. On the Lives of Some Sons and Grandsons of Fath-Ali Shah, with the appendix The History of the Royal Offspring of the Khaqan Dynasty (in Persian). Safir Ardahal. ISBN 9786003133129.
- ^ a b Sohaniyan Haqiqi, Mohammad, and Naqdi, Reza. Astan-e Quds Razavi: Custodians and Deputy Custodians. Mashhad: Islamic Research Foundation, 2018. ISBN 978-600-06-0244-4.