Abol Fath Khan
Encyclopedia
Abol Fath Khan Zand was the third Shah
of Zand dynasty
, who ruled the Persian Empire from March 6, 1779 until August 22, 1779.
After the death of Karim Khan
in 1779, Zaki Khan, his half brother declared Muhammad Ali Khan, the second son of Karim Khan
and his son-in-law as the second ruler of the Zand dynasty
, but soon after, he made Abol Fath, the elder son of Karim Khan
the joint ruler to the throne of Persia. Unlike his father Abol Fath was lazy and weak, and did not share the sharpness and courage of his father instead he relied on his powerful uncle, Zaki Khan, whose corruption and political mischief was known to all. However, Zaki Khan's advice and counsel to him led to anarchy in the territories for more than twenty years after him.
After the death of Karim Khan
Zand Agha Muhammad Khan who was a hostage—in light of preventing an outbreak of war between the Qajar tribes in the northern Persia and the Zands—escaped promptly and reached Mazandaran. Subsequently he took command of his tribe in Astrabad, and declared independence from the Zand Shah. Therefore, Zaki Khan dispatched the Persian army under the command of his nephew, Ali Murad Khan
against the tyrant Qajar lord.
Meanwhile, on June 19, 1779 Abol Fath became the sole ruler of Persia following Mohammad Ali Khan
's sudden death. He was then notified that the commander of his army, Ali Murad Khan
had rebelled against him and captured Isfahan
. On the other hand, Zaki Khan had levied high taxes on the landlords and put to death and tortured anyone who had refused. Subsequently the people of Isfahan rebelled, and killed Zaki Khan. On August 22, 1779, Sadiq Khan, a brother to Karim Khan
raided in Shiraz
and slew Abol Fath Khan after tearing his eyes from their sockets. Subsequently he declared himself king of Persia.
Shah
Shāh is the title of the ruler of certain Southwest Asian and Central Asian countries, especially Persia , and derives from the Persian word shah, meaning "king".-History:...
of Zand dynasty
Zand dynasty
The Zand dynasty ruled southern and central Iran in the 18th century.- Karim Khan Zand :The dynasty was founded by Karim Khan, chief of the Zand tribe which was Lur or Lak deportees. Modern scholarships such as Wadie Jwaideh suggested his Kurdishness. He became one of Nader Shah's generals...
, who ruled the Persian Empire from March 6, 1779 until August 22, 1779.
After the death of Karim Khan
Karim Khan
Karim Khan Zand, , , was a ruler of Iran, and the founder of the Zand Dynasty.He was born to a family of the Zand tribe of Lur or Lak deportees...
in 1779, Zaki Khan, his half brother declared Muhammad Ali Khan, the second son of Karim Khan
Karim Khan
Karim Khan Zand, , , was a ruler of Iran, and the founder of the Zand Dynasty.He was born to a family of the Zand tribe of Lur or Lak deportees...
and his son-in-law as the second ruler of the Zand dynasty
Zand dynasty
The Zand dynasty ruled southern and central Iran in the 18th century.- Karim Khan Zand :The dynasty was founded by Karim Khan, chief of the Zand tribe which was Lur or Lak deportees. Modern scholarships such as Wadie Jwaideh suggested his Kurdishness. He became one of Nader Shah's generals...
, but soon after, he made Abol Fath, the elder son of Karim Khan
Karim Khan
Karim Khan Zand, , , was a ruler of Iran, and the founder of the Zand Dynasty.He was born to a family of the Zand tribe of Lur or Lak deportees...
the joint ruler to the throne of Persia. Unlike his father Abol Fath was lazy and weak, and did not share the sharpness and courage of his father instead he relied on his powerful uncle, Zaki Khan, whose corruption and political mischief was known to all. However, Zaki Khan's advice and counsel to him led to anarchy in the territories for more than twenty years after him.
After the death of Karim Khan
Karim Khan
Karim Khan Zand, , , was a ruler of Iran, and the founder of the Zand Dynasty.He was born to a family of the Zand tribe of Lur or Lak deportees...
Zand Agha Muhammad Khan who was a hostage—in light of preventing an outbreak of war between the Qajar tribes in the northern Persia and the Zands—escaped promptly and reached Mazandaran. Subsequently he took command of his tribe in Astrabad, and declared independence from the Zand Shah. Therefore, Zaki Khan dispatched the Persian army under the command of his nephew, Ali Murad Khan
Ali Murad Khan
Ali Murad Khan Zand the sixth Shah of the Zand dynasty, reigned from March 15, 1781 until February 11, 1785.After the death of Karim Khan Zand, Agha Muhammad Khan who was a hostage--in light of preventing an outbreak of war between the Qajar tribes in the northern Persia and the Zands--escaped...
against the tyrant Qajar lord.
Meanwhile, on June 19, 1779 Abol Fath became the sole ruler of Persia following Mohammad Ali Khan
Mohammad Ali Khan
Mohammad Ali Khan Zand , was the second Shah of the Zand dynasty. He ruled Persia from March 6, 1779 until June 19, 1779.After the death of Karim Khan in 1779, Iran disintegrated once again. Karim Khan's brother Zaki Khan declared Mohammad `Ali, the second son of Karim Khan who was also his...
's sudden death. He was then notified that the commander of his army, Ali Murad Khan
Ali Murad Khan
Ali Murad Khan Zand the sixth Shah of the Zand dynasty, reigned from March 15, 1781 until February 11, 1785.After the death of Karim Khan Zand, Agha Muhammad Khan who was a hostage--in light of preventing an outbreak of war between the Qajar tribes in the northern Persia and the Zands--escaped...
had rebelled against him and captured Isfahan
Isfahan (city)
Isfahan , historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Sepahan or Hispahan, is the capital of Isfahan Province in Iran, located about 340 km south of Tehran. It has a population of 1,583,609, Iran's third largest city after Tehran and Mashhad...
. On the other hand, Zaki Khan had levied high taxes on the landlords and put to death and tortured anyone who had refused. Subsequently the people of Isfahan rebelled, and killed Zaki Khan. On August 22, 1779, Sadiq Khan, a brother to Karim Khan
Karim Khan
Karim Khan Zand, , , was a ruler of Iran, and the founder of the Zand Dynasty.He was born to a family of the Zand tribe of Lur or Lak deportees...
raided in Shiraz
Shiraz, Iran
Shiraz is the sixth most populous city in Iran and is the capital of Fars Province, the city's 2009 population was 1,455,073. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Roodkhaneye Khoshk seasonal river...
and slew Abol Fath Khan after tearing his eyes from their sockets. Subsequently he declared himself king of Persia.
External links
- Rulers of Iran
- Iranology - History of Iran, Part XIII: Afshar and Zand Dynasties http://www.iranologie.com/history/history13.html