31 Facts About Khosrow Mirza

Prince Khosrow Mirza Qajar was the seventh son of Abbas Mirza and grandson of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, shah of Iran.

Khosrow Mirza was eventually released from the prison, and after spending his life with a number of his family in Hamadan, died on 21 October 1875.

Prince Khosrow Mirza was born in early 1813 in the Shams ol Emareh palace at Tabriz.

Khosrow Mirza's mother Khurde Khanum was a daughter of a Turkmen Bey.

Khosrow Mirza spent his childhood with his mother and later with his three brothers Djahangir Mirza, Ahmad Mirza and Mostafa Gholi Mirza.

Aged seven, Khosrow Mirza was entrusted to his uncle Hussein-Ali Bey; he was trained to ride and wield weapons.

Khosrow Mirza was a fast learner and the ablest rider in his father's court.

In early 1826, Khosrow Mirza was enlisted to the guards battalion, a special battalion that was trained by British instructors.

On 5 November 1827, Khosrow Mirza had a meeting with Count Ivan Paskevich.

The count and the prince rode horses during a horse race and Khorsrow Khosrow Mirza read Rumi poems for his guest.

On 6 October 1828, Alexander Griboyedov with his young wife Nino Chavchavadze and the whole board arrived in Tehran; the next day, Abbas Khosrow Mirza wrote him a letter wishing him a good experience in Iran.

Immediately after news of Griboyedov's death reached Tabriz, Abbas Khosrow Mirza ordered Tabriz to be fortified in case of a war.

Khosrow Mirza's mission was extremely important, not only for Iranian and Russian sides but for all participants in the Great Game, therefore, figures from both sides tried to execute this mission well.

For example, Denis Davydov, who had been at Tabriz, lobbied the Tsar for a meeting with Khsorow Khosrow Mirza, and enlisted the help of Count Paskevich to accomplish this goal.

Shortly after, a committee led by Khosrow Mirza accompanied with gifts left for Saint Petersburg.

Once in Moscow, Khosrow Mirza visited Griboyedov's mother and shed tears with her.

Khosrow Mirza met Nikolay Yusupov and had dinner with him.

Yusupov found his inability to use knives and forks disrespectful, but still praised Khosrow Mirza and regarded him as the only Iranian prince who was deserving of a meeting with the Tsar.

Khosrow Mirza visited Tsarskoye Selo, Peterhof Palace and the Winter Palace.

Khosrow Mirza was welcomed by princes and princesses, and harangued for them.

Khosrow Mirza presented the Imperial family with 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.

Khosrow Mirza managed to reduce Iran's indemnity payment during his stay.

Khosrow Mirza suggests sending students from Iran to Russia and France to study the sciences.

Khosrow Mirza 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.

Khosrow Mirza 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 flights.

Khosrow Mirza's success made him a firm contender for the throne, and both his father and grandfather placed him against his brother Mohammad Mirza.

Khosrow Mirza, who had no desire for the crown, hoped the Tsar would release him from prison.

In 1835, after the death of Qa'em-Maqam and replacement of Haji Mirza Aqasi, Khosrow Mirza was freed and with the support of new prime minister, became the Royal Finance Administer.

Khosrow Mirza later fought in the Siege of Herat and recorded all of casualties of war.

Khosrow Mirza died at the age of 62 in Hamadan on 21 October 1875.

When 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 ".