The 85 wives of Iranian King Nasereddin
In 1842, during a visit to England, the 11-year old Iranian Prince Nasereddin (or Naser al-Din) Mirza received a photographic camera from Queen Victoria as a gift. He developed a passion for photography and recorded his childhood and his private Court, later when he became the Persian monarch. Many of these images, although originally not intended for the Public, became the first recorded images of Iranian history, and he became the first Persian monarch to ever write and publish his diaries.
At his death, he had a total of 85 wives and concubines. It was rumored that the King's wives had conspired to feed him "bear liver" to remove his masculinity and sexual drive (make him like a castrated eunuch). Several eunuchs were in charge of King's harem or employed as chamberlain in the palace.
The following documentary video describes Nasereddin's inept ruling and private life (warning: it includes some nudity):
Nasereddin curbed the secular power of the clergy, and introduced western-influenced modern amenities like telegraph, postal service and newspapers to Iran. But he steadfastly refused to deal with the growing pressures for democratic reform and even killed his own liberal and reformist Prime Minister. The monarch was also accused of corruption because he granted a series of concessionary rights to foreigners in return for large kickbacks (payments that went into his own pockets).
On the 50th anniversary of his kingdom, Naser al-Din was assassinated when he was visiting a religious shrine. He is reported to have said "I will rule you differently if I survive!" He did not survive!
»This is a summary of the original feature in Farsi. To request a more extensive translation of the Farsi text, please contact us.
