Khosrow Mirza

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Khosrow Mirza
Khosrow Mirza.jpg
Born1813
Died21 October 1875 (aged 62)
HouseQajar dynasty
FatherAbbas Mirza
MotherKhurde Khanum
ReligionIslam
OccupationPrince of Qajar Dynasty

Prince Khosrow Mirza Qajar (Persian: شاهزاده خسرو میرزا قاجار‎; 1813 – 21 October 1875) was 7th son of Abbas Mirza and grandson of Fath-Ali Shah, King of Iran.

Khosrow Mirza is best known for his "Apology Mission" to the Russian Empire after murder of Alexander Griboyedov by peasants and for the donation of Shah Diamonds to Nicholas I as a present. His travelogue detailed his travels and experiences as he went through Russia. After his return to Iran, he was appointed as an advisor of his father Abbas Mirza, as well as a financial advisor for the Khorasan province.

After the death of his father, Fath-Ali Shah appointmented Khosrow Mirza's older brother, Mohammad Mirza as Crown prince. Though Khosrow was on good terms with Mohammad Mirza, he and his older brother Djahangir Mirza were quickly imprisoned in a castle in Ardabil. In the first days of Mohammad Shah's reign, he blinded both brothers in order to prevent them from ever becoming monarch. After Qa'em-Maqam was killed, Khosrow Mirza found chance to get free from prison and was even appointed as the royal finance administer. He later fought in Mohammad Shah's expedition of Herat. He spent the last years of his life in Hamadan and died on 21 October 1875.

Khosrow Mirza is frequently portrayed in Russian literature.

Early life[]

Portrait of Abbas Mirza (c. 1820s)

Prince Khosrow Mirza was born in the spring of 1813 in Shams ol Emareh palace of Tabriz.[1] His Mother, , was daughter of a Turkmen Bey.[2] He spent his childhood with his mother and later with his three brothers: Djahangir Mirza, Ahmad Mirza and Mostafa Gholi Mirza.[3]

At age of 7, he was entrusted to his uncle, Hussein-Ali Bey. He was trained to ride and wield weapons.[3] From the age of 9 he began to study with teachers - he studied Arabic and Azeri languages, various sciences, the works of the great poets of the East and the rules of decency. He found he had outstanding abilities in sciences, and was considered the best rider in his father's court.[1]

In the spring of 1826, Khosrow Mirza was appointed the company commander of the guards battalion, a special battalion trained by British instructors. He fought during the Russo-Persian War of 1826-1828, where the Prince witnessed major defeats for the Persian army and watched the peace negotiations.[2] In July 1827, Alexander Griboyedov was sent to Abbas Mirza's camp at near Tabriz for negotiations, where he first met Khosrow Mirza.[4] These negotiations were ultimately fruitless, and the war continued until that October when Lieutenant General Eristov captured Tabriz (the capital of the heir's province), and Abbas Mirza agreed to start peace negotiations.[5]

On the 5 of November 1827, Khosrow Mirza had a meeting with Count Ivan Paskevich. The meeting was primarily a peace negotiation, but there was also a horse riding challenge and Khosrow Mirza read Rumi poems for him. According to Markelov, Paskevich liked his "Noble behavior" and saw him as a "Rightful prince".[2] According to Ekhtiar, Abbas Mirza send him on purpose to test his diplomatic abilities, and after the talks, he was made diplomatic secretary.[6] On February 8, 1828, peace negotiations were resumed in the village of Turkmanchay. The peace was signed, and Khosrow Mirza and his brother Djahangir Mirza were present.[7]

"Apology Mission"[]

Griboyedov's death[]

On October 6, 1828, Griboyedov with his young wife, Nino and the whole Board arrived in Tehran, the next day Abbas Mirza wrote him a letter in which he wished him a good experience in Iran.[4] Griboyedov was also greeted by Khosrow Mirza. In early January Abbas Mirza wrote a letter to count Paskevich in which he said he would like to travel to St. Petersburg in February on a friendly visit to Tsar Nicholas I. Khosrow Mirza would accompany his father on this trip. Abbas Mirza's secretary Mirza Saleh arrived in Tiflis to see Paskevich on February 7, 1829 with this message, and stayed there to wait for Abbas Mirza.[8] but shortly later a group of Peasants attacked the Russian embassy and killed Griboyedov and most of his staff.[9]

The Trip[]

Khosrow Mirza and his group in a Russian newspaper report

Immediately after news reached Tabriz, Abbas Mirza ordered fortresses built throughout Tabriz in case of war.[10][7] Knowing of Khosrow Mirza's successful Diplomatic negotiations with count Paskevich, Fath-Ali Shah made a firman to Abbas Mirza in which he ordered him to send a Committee led by Khozrow Mirza to Saint Petersburg to apologize to the Tsar.[10][7] Meanwhile, Denis Davydov, who had been at Tabriz, attempted to get Mirza a meeting with the Tsar.[11] He also enlisted the help of Count Paskevich to try and get Mirza a meeting.[11]

In early April 1829, an acceptance letter with Tsar's stamp reached Tabriz.[12] Shortly, a committee led by Khosrow Mirza accompanied with gifts left for St. Petersburg. The committee included Mirza Mohammed Khan Zangana, Mirza Masud Garmarudi, Mirza Saleh Shirazi, Hossein Ali Beg (Khosrow Mirza's uncle), Mirza Taqi Khan Farahani (future Amir Kabir), Mirza Baba Afshar, Fazel Khan Garrusi, Mohammad Hossein Khan, Magniago de Borea (Khosrow Mirza's French tutor) and Barthélémy Semino (a French military advisor.)[13]

The committee crossed the Aras on May 9 and met Count Paskevich on Tiflis on May 19. On June 4, they left Tiflis and arrived in Moscow nearly two months later, on July 26.[13] During the trip from Tiflis to Novgorod they were joined by Count P. P. Sukhtelen and three translators, who were ordered to spy on Mirza.[2] Once in Moscow, Khosrow Mirza visited Griboyedov's mother and shed tears with her.[13] Mirza's group was housed at the Grand Kremlin Palace. During his time in Moscow, he visited attractions such as the Bolshoi Theater and Imperial Moscow University, and spoke to both scholars and peasants.[2] Khosrow Mirza also met Nikolay Yusupov, and had dinner with him. According to George Bournoutian:

though Yusupov believed that Khosrow Mirza's using of knives and forks in Wrong way is disrespected to him, he saw Khosrow Mirza as a noble, knowledgeable person that between all Iranian Princes, is the only one who can have a meeting with Tsar.

— George Bournoutian, historian, [14]

On August 11, committees arrived at Saint Petersburg, and were housed at Tauride Palace.[13] Khosrow Mirza visited Tsarskoye Selo, Peterhof and the Winter palace. He was welcomed by Royal princes and princesses and made various speeches.[14] On August 22, in a Official ceremony, Khosrow Mirza read Fath-Ali Shah's letter for Tsar.[13] He and his retinue were showered with gifts (including 12 state-of-the-art guns). For his part, he presented to the imperial family gifts from the Shah, among which was a large 88.7-carat Shah diamond, 20 precious manuscripts, two cashmere carpets, a pearl necklace for the Empress, a saber for the heir, Alexander and jewelry for the Grand Princesses.[15] according to Bournoutian, the committee stayed until February 27 of the following year, and Khosrow Mirza charmed the Royal family and managed to reduce war indemnity payment.[13] Khosrow Mirza and his group returned to Tabriz on March 15, 1830, and were Gloriously welcomed by Abbas Mirza.[16]

The Travelogue[]

Khosrow Mirza by Karl Hampeln

Khosrow Mirza's travelogue to St. Petersburg is a travelogue written by Mirza Masud's secretary Mirza Mustafa Afshar, who was with him throughout the trip.[13] It was originally six chapters; however, the sixth chapter of the book has been lost. In the travelouge, there is a detailed report of the Iranians' treatment of Russian factories, modern industries, balloons, lithography, museums, greenhouses, taxidermy, and much more. The author praises the progress the Russians have made, and regrets that the Iranians are deprived of these fields. He also suggests sending students from Iran to Russia and France to study the sciences.[17]

He also compared the Russian treasury, which was based on the circulation of assets in the country's economic flow, to the traditional Iranian method of collecting taxes and revenues in the treasury. He also reported on the construction of a community church and the erection of its large columns with the help of cranes, and was amazed to see lithography and balloon flight. Other industries and inventions mentioned include theater, academies, bladesmithing, Glass production, thermometers, museums, and more.[17]

He also mentions political details such as the borders of Russian Empire, the occupations of the country, the number of its citizens and the characteristics of these people and the products and animals of Russia.[18] It is also the first work during the Qajar period which mentions America (Alaska), and he considers it to be part of Russia.[19]

According to Ekhtiar, Mirza Taqi Khan Farahani was present on the trip, saw all of Developments, and after reading Mirza Mostafa's report, he was inspired to build Dar ul-Funun.[19]

Later life[]

Khosrow Mirza's monument

Khosrow Mirza success made him a firm contender for the throne, and both his father and grandfather and placed him against his brother Mohammad Mirza.[13] Though rivalry between two brothers was initially low, in 1831 Fath-Ali Shah granted Governorship of Kerman to Khosrow Mirza[13] and Abbas Mirza made him his advisor.[20] According to Nafisi, Mohammad Mirza developed a grudge against Khosrow Mirza out of fear of losing his chance to rule.[20] After the death of Abbas Mirza in 1833 and illness of Fath-Ali Shah in 1834, Mohammad Mirza was granted a chance to remove Khosrow Mirza and his brother, Djahangir Mirza, from succession line. On his order they were imprisoned[13] in a castle in Ardabil.[20] Count Ivan Simonich (the new envoy), wanted to ensure Article VII of the Treaty of Turkmenchay was observed, so he approved the succession of Mohammad Mirza.[13] Khosrow Mirza, who had no desire for the crown,[21] just hoped the Tsar would release him from prison.[13] With the death of Fath-Ali Shah and Coronation of Mohammad Shah, both brothers were blinded.[13]

In 1835, after the death of Qa'em-Maqam and replacement of Haji Mirza Aqasi, Khosrow Mirza was freed and with supports of new prime minister, became the Royal Finance Administer.[22] He was moved to vicinity of Hamadan.[13] Khosrow Mirza later fought in Siege of Herat and recorded all of casualties of war.[2] He died in Hamadan on 21 October 1875 at the age of 62.[13]

Appearance and skills[]

Khosrow Mirza by Adolph Menzel

According to Bournoutian: “During his stay, he often visited Theaters - Russian and French -, which in those days were full of the audience, eager to see their beloved guest; his happy physiognomy drew the attention of even the mob; the crowd always stood in front of the house where he was staying, and when he left he was accompanied by a run somewhere."[18]

Khosrow Mirza was 16 years old; according to contemporaries, he “was of average height, slender, had charming eyes and an unusually pleasant smile; possessed liveliness in conversation, and was remarkably affable in handling "[2]

Alexandra Smirnova wrote:

In the summer, Khosrow Mirza came from Persia and brought a bunch of shawls; with him there was a large entourage; he was short and a handsome little man; i found a interest between him and the Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna; who was wearing a fancy Persian-dress that he brought from Persia.

— Alexandra Smirnova, [23]

Dorothea de Ficquelmont described him in her diary

He has the most charming face, like a character from an Arab fairy tale or poem, he is small, but rather flexible, with graceful movements. A very beautiful head, velvet eyes, soft, melancholic eyes, charming smile, graceful and soulful physiognomy. He has a small black cap on his head, and he wears shalwar. His retinue is quite numerous. Among them there are beautiful faces, serious, reasonable, but all have a little wild eyes. For two days, as ambassador extraordinary, he received everyone who has the right to do so. He was the first to send his business cards to ambassadors. On Yelagin Island we saw him prancing on a horse, and this suits him very much. In the theater, where a concert was given in his honor, he listened to music with interest and pleasure.

— Dorothea de Ficquelmont, [2]

in Popular culture[]

  • 1977 Iranian tv series "Khosrow Mirza II" is based of a story about his descendants.[24]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Ekhtiar 1994, p. 44.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Markelov 2001.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Nafisi 1963, p. 391.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Andreev 2010, p. 192.
  5. ^ Busse 1982.
  6. ^ Ekhtiar 1994, p. 45.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c Rahnemai Shahsevari 2014, p. 57.
  8. ^ Boyko 2003.
  9. ^ Hopkirk 1980, p. 113.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b Balilan Asl 2012, p. 12.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b Afshar Far 2003, p. 68.
  12. ^ Afshar Far 2003, p. 69.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Bournoutian 2015.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b Bournoutian 2014, p. 159.
  15. ^ Bournoutian 2014, p. 160.
  16. ^ Bournoutian 2014, p. 164.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Bournoutian 2014, p. 170.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b Bournoutian 2014, p. 171.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Ekhtiar 1994, p. 46.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b c Nafisi 1963, p. 394.
  21. ^ Nafisi 1963, p. 395.
  22. ^ Nafisi 1963, p. 396.
  23. ^ Belyakova 1994, p. 167.
  24. ^ Seyed Mohammadi 1999, p. 194.

Bibliography[]

  • Afshar Far, Naser (2003). سرگذشت فتحعلی شاه [Life of Fath-Ali Shah] (in Persian). Tehran: Ahl-e-Qalam Publications. ISBN 9789645568489. OCLC 145133976.
  • Andreev, A. Yu (2010). GRIBOEDOV Alexander Sergeevich. Moskow: ROSSPEN. ISBN 9785824314298.
  • Balilan Asl, Lida (2012). "A study of the spatial structure of the city of Tabriz in the Qajar period with reference to the evolution of historical maps in this period". 8: 10–40. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Belyakova, Zoia (1994). Grand Duchess Maria Nikolayevna and Her Palace in St. Petersburg. Hazar Publishing. ISBN 9781874371540.
  • Bournoutian, George (2014). From Tabriz to St. Petersburg: Iran's Mission of Apology to Russia in 1829. Costa Mesa: Mazda Publishers. ISBN 9781568593289.
  • Bournoutian, George (2015). "ḴOSROW MIRZĀ QĀJĀR". Encyclopædia Iranica, online edition. New York.
  • Boyko, S. A. (2003), Persian Embassy in 1829, Moscow, Russia
  • Busse, H. (1982). "ʿABBĀS MĪRZĀ QAJAR". Encyclopædia Iranica, online edition. New York.
  • Ekhtiar, Maryam Dorreh (1994). The Dar al-Funun: Educational reform and cultural development in Qajar Iran. New York: Dissertation Abstracts. OCLC 873965340.
  • Hopkirk, Peter (1980). The Great Game. New York: John Murray. ISBN 978-1-56836-022-5.
  • Markelov, N. (2001), "Persian Prince Khosrow Mirza in Russia", Moscow magazine, Moscow, Russia (published 1 March 2001)
  • Nafisi, Saeed (1963). Social and Political History of Iran in the Contemporary Period: From the Beginning of the Qajar Dynasty to the End of Fath Ali Shah. Tehran: University of Tehran Press. ISBN 9786009387311.
  • Rahnemai Shahsevari, Naser (2014). Tabriz in the era of Abbas Mirza. Tabriz. ISBN 9786008188186.
  • Seyed Mohammadi, Seyed Morteza (1999). History of Iranian Cinema and Television 1930-1998. Tehran: Simro Publications. ISBN 964-5685-35-4.
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