16 Facts About Mohammad Khodabanda

Mohammad Khodabanda was the fourth Safavid shah of Iran from 1578 until his overthrow in 1587 by his son Abbas I Khodabanda had succeeded his brother, Ismail II.

Mohammad Khodabanda had an eye affliction that rendered him nearly blind, and so in accordance with Persian royal culture he could not contend for the throne.

However, following Ismail II's short and bloody reign Mohammad Khodabanda emerged as the only heir and became Shah in 1578 with the backing of the Qizilbash tribes.

Mohammad Khodabanda's reign was marked by a continued weakness of the crown and tribal infighting as part of the second civil war of the Safavid era.

An important figure in the early years of Mohammad Khodabanda's reign was his wife Khayr al-Nisa Begum, who helped secure her husband's reign.

Mohammad Khodabanda has been described as "a man of refined tastes but weak character".

Mohammad Khodabanda had acquired a reputation as a poet in Herat, one "noted for his education and cognitive acuity," according to prince Sam Mirza, a contemporary biographer of poets.

Soltan-Mohammad Khodabanda was at Shiraz when his brother, the shah, died.

The appointment of Mohammad Khodabanda was supported and approved by Pari Khan Khanum, due to him being a man of old age, almost blind, and pleasure-seeking.

Mohammad Khodabanda made an agreement with the Qizilbash chieftains that Mohammad Khodabanda would remain shah in name, whilst her and her envoys would continue controlling the interests of the state.

When Mohammad Khodabanda was crowned shah, the Safavid aristocracy, officers, and provincial governors wanted approval from Pari Khan Khanum to give him a congratulating visit.

Mohammad Khodabanda was knowledgeable of her husband's deficiency and to atone for his lack of uprightness and quality she resolved to try to become the practical ruler of the Safavid state.

The most important event of Mohammad Khodabanda's reign was the war with the Ottomans.

Mohammad Khodabanda sent Hamza Mirza to fight the Ottomans, but the young prince was murdered during this campaign, and the city remained in Ottoman hands for 20 years.

Mohammad Khodabanda made no attempt to challenge the coup and accepted his dethronement.

Mohammad Khodabanda was a poet who wrote verse under the pen name Fahmi.