9781909942868
9781909942875
Set against the backdrop of Iran’s struggle against the rising powers of Russia and Britain, the memoirs of Mirza Riza Khan Arfa’-ed-Dowleh—otherwise known as Prince Arfa (1853–1902)—are packed with picaresque adventures as the prince tells the story of his rise from humble provincial beginnings to the heights of the Iranian state. With this translation, his incredible story is brought to life for the first time in English.
Prince Arfa writes with arresting wit about the deadly intrigues of the Qajar court. Lamentingly, but resolutely, he chronicles the decline of Iran from a once great empire to an almost bankrupt, lawless state, in which social unrest is channelled and exploited by the clergy. He describes the complex interactions between Iran and Europe, including an account of Naser-od-Din Shah’s profligate visits to Britain and France; the splendor and eccentricities of the doomed Tsar Nicholas II’s court; the Tsar’s omen-laden coronation; and his own favor with the Tsarina, who would grant him concessions on matters of vital importance to his country. The result is a memoir of extraordinary political intrigue.
Prince Arfa writes with arresting wit about the deadly intrigues of the Qajar court. Lamentingly, but resolutely, he chronicles the decline of Iran from a once great empire to an almost bankrupt, lawless state, in which social unrest is channelled and exploited by the clergy. He describes the complex interactions between Iran and Europe, including an account of Naser-od-Din Shah’s profligate visits to Britain and France; the splendor and eccentricities of the doomed Tsar Nicholas II’s court; the Tsar’s omen-laden coronation; and his own favor with the Tsarina, who would grant him concessions on matters of vital importance to his country. The result is a memoir of extraordinary political intrigue.
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Reviews
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Editor’s Note
Introduction
Life of Mirza Reza Khan Danesh, Arfa-Od-Dowleh, Prince Arfa
1. My Childhood in Tabriz
2. My Journey to the Caucasus and Istanbul (1873-1875)
3. My Entry into Government Service (1875-1883)
4. My Journey from Tiflis to Khorasan to join the Russian-Persian Akhal-Khorasan Boundary Commission until my Appointment as Counsellor at the Embassy in St Petersburg (1883-1887)
5. Tehran in the Time of Naser-od-Din Shah, 1887
6. My Time as Counsellor in St Petersburg and my Journey to Europe as a Member of Naser-od-Din Shah’s Entourage on his Third Journey to Europe (1887-1889)
7. Life at Court in Tehran until my Departure for the Caucasus (1889-1890)
8. The Consulate-General in Tiflis (1890-1895)
9. The Embassy in St Petersburg (1895-1901)
Postscript (1902-1937)
Glossary of Qajar Names and Titles
Table of Measures used in Qajar Iran
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Editor’s Note
Introduction
Life of Mirza Reza Khan Danesh, Arfa-Od-Dowleh, Prince Arfa
1. My Childhood in Tabriz
2. My Journey to the Caucasus and Istanbul (1873-1875)
3. My Entry into Government Service (1875-1883)
4. My Journey from Tiflis to Khorasan to join the Russian-Persian Akhal-Khorasan Boundary Commission until my Appointment as Counsellor at the Embassy in St Petersburg (1883-1887)
5. Tehran in the Time of Naser-od-Din Shah, 1887
6. My Time as Counsellor in St Petersburg and my Journey to Europe as a Member of Naser-od-Din Shah’s Entourage on his Third Journey to Europe (1887-1889)
7. Life at Court in Tehran until my Departure for the Caucasus (1889-1890)
8. The Consulate-General in Tiflis (1890-1895)
9. The Embassy in St Petersburg (1895-1901)
Postscript (1902-1937)
Glossary of Qajar Names and Titles
Table of Measures used in Qajar Iran
Bibliography
Index
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