Modern Persia | Page 7

the latter ruled
till 750 A.D. The tribe of the Abbossides went to the throne at this time
but were soon in turn overthrown. Persia was then divided into
different provinces until in 1253 it was conquered by the Mongols

under Genghis-Khan and his grandson Khula-kun-Khan. The former
was a Christian. During his reign Moryaw-Alaha was the Nestorian
patriarch and under him the church was very successful. The Mongol
dynasty lasted until 1335.
A new dynasty arose in western Persia in 1500. The first prince of this
line was Ismael, the descendant of an ancient family of devotees and
saints. He was held in the highest esteem by his followers, who revered
him not only on account of his own valor but for the high standing of
his family. Having become the leader of a number of tribes, he
overthrew the power of the Turkoman and made Azerbijon their
Capital. He then rapidly subdued western Persia and in 1511 took
Kurason and Balkh from the Uzbeks. In the year 1514 he encountered a
far more formidable enemy in the mighty Salim, sultan of Turkey,
whose zeal for conquest was fanned by religious hatred of the Shiites,
who were followers of Ismael, and who in turn were fiercely inflamed
against a sect called Sunites. In the ensuing conflict Ismael was
defeated but Salim did not gain greatly by his victory. The son of
Ismael, Shah Tah-masip who reigned from 1523-1576 subdued all the
Uzbeks of Khorason and frequently defeated the Turks without
suffering the loss of a single battle. He takes rank as a prudent and
spirited ruler.
Shah Abbos I, the great, who was one of the most glorious of Persia's
modern kings ascended the throne in 1585 and ruled until 1628. He
restored internal tranquillity and repelled the invasions of the Uzbeks
and Turks. In the year 1605 he gave the Turks such a terrific drubbing
that they made no more trouble during his long reign. He also restored
to his kingdom Kurdiston-Mosul and Diarbekir which had long been
separated from Persia. Abbos' government was strict, but just and
equitable. Roads, bridges, caravansaries, and other conveniences for
trade were constructed at great cost, and the improvement and
ornamentation of the towns were not neglected. Many of his large
caravansaries which bear his name remain to this day. Isphahan, his
capital, in a brief period of his reign, doubled its population. His
tolerance was remarkable, considering the character of his ancestors
and subjects, for he encouraged the Armenian Christians to settle in the

country, well knowing that their peaceable industrious habits would
enhance the prosperity of his kingdom. His successors were Shah Sufi
(1628-41), Shah Abbos II, (1641-66), and Shah Soliman (1666-94).
During the reign of Shah Sultan Hussein (1694-1722), a weak and
foolish prince, priests and slaves were elevated to high offices and the
Sunnites suffered sore persecution. The result was that Afghan
besieged the king in Isphahan. Hussein abdicated the throne in favor of
his conqueror, who ultimately became insane and suffered deposition in
1725 at the hands of his brother, Ashrab. The atrocious tyranny of
Ashrab was suddenly checked by the celebrated Nadir-Shah. Hussein
and Ashrab belonged to the dynasty of Syydes, a holy sect, descendants
of their prophet, Mohammed. Nadir-Shah was one of the greatest
warriors of Persia. He raised Tah-Masip (1729-82) and his son Abbos
III (1732-36), of the Suffivian race, to the throne and then on some
frivolous pretext, deposed Abbos III, and seized the scepter himself
(1736-47). Nadir was assassinated by Imam-Kuli--Khan, of Oroomiah,
whose descendants now live very near our Mission Station in
Oroomiah. Again after the murder of Nadir, Persia was divided into
many independent states and became a field of blood. Bloogistan and
Afghaniston became independent till 1755 when a Kurd, Karim Khan
(1755-79), abolished this state of affairs, reestablished peace and unity
in western Persia, and by his justice, wisdom, and warlike talents
acquired both the esteem of his subjects and the respect of the
neighboring states. He received the title, "Father of Persia." Karim
Khan was succeeded in 1784 by Al-Murad, then by Jaafor and the latter
by Lutf-Ali-Merza.
[Illustration: KING KARIM KHAN KURD.]
During Lutf-Ali's reign, Mazandaron became independent under Agha
Mohammed Khan a Turkoman. Lutf-Ali-Merza rushed on Mazandaron
and killed all the relations of Mohammed Khan who were ruling there,
and took captive Agha Mohammed Khan a boy only six years old,
making him a eunuch. This boy was of Kojor race. When he was in the
harem of Lutf-Ali, he kept thinking how his cruel master murdered his
father and all his relations. When he sat on the royal rugs, he would
take his revenge by cutting them. When he was of full age, twenty or

twenty-five years old, he ran away to his own country, Mazandaron,
and