‘BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF PERSIAN STATESMEN AND NOTABLES, SEPTEMBER 1909’ [‎45r] (94/156)

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326. Ml t khbir-ud-Dat:lah, Httsain Quii KhAn, K.C.I.E. (1892).
Eldest son of the late Mukhbir-ud-Daulah, Alt Quit Khan. The
family, which is said to trace its descent to the poet Shaikh
Kamal Khojandi, is well known in Persia, and a short account
of it is necessary. It came into prominence with the present
Mukhbir-ud-Daulah’s grandfather, llaza Quli Khan Taharis-
tani, a son of Muhammad Hadi, Kamal, who was a Chamberlain
of Aqa Muhammad Khan, the first Qajar Shah. Raza Quli
Khan was born in Tehran in 1800 and having resided for
some time at Barfurush, in the old district of Tabaristan,
took the surname of Hidayat-i-Tabaristani. When about
twenty years of age, he went to Shiraz, where he served the
Earman Parma, Husain Ali Mirza, son of Path ’All Shah, and
afterwards the princes Parldun Mirza and Plruz Mirza
(sons of Yalla’hd ’Abbas Mirza). Having written various
poems for Path ’All Shah, he received the title of Malik-
ush Shu’ara (King of Poets), and was made Khan. In 1888
Muhammad Shah ajopointed him tutor to his son ’Abbas Mirza
(died as Mulk Ara in 1897), and in 1851 he was sent as
special Envoy by Kasir-ud-Dln Shdh to the Khan of Khiva.
On his return, he was appointed Director of the new
College (Madrasa-i-dar-ul-Punun), which post he held until
his death in 1871.
His son ’All Quli Khan came to Tehran in 1839, entered the new
College when it was founded in 1849, accompanied his father
to Khiva in 1851, constructed the first telegraph line in
Persia, from Tehran to Sultaniah, in 1860, and was made a
Sarhang. In 1862 he built the telegraph line to Rasht and
was made Sartlp of the third class. In 1862 he became
Director of Telegraphs. In 1865 he received the rank of Sartip
of the first class, and in 1869 the title of Mukhbir-ud-Daulah.
In 1877 he was made Minister of Telegraphs, which post he
held until his death, 16th July 1897. Prom 1880 until
April 1897, he was also Yazir-i-’Ulum (Public Instruction),
and from 1882, until his death Yazir-i-Ma’adan (Mines).
In November 1896, he was appointed Minister of Interior, but
resigned that appointment four months later. He accompanied
Nasir-ud-Din Shah to Europe in 1873. He went to Europe
in 1884, to effect the purchase of the steamer “ Fersepolis ”
at Bremerhaven, and again accompanied Nasir-ud-Din Shah to
Europe in 1889, and made the pilgrimage to Mecca in the same
year.
He was made a C.I.E. in 1882, and K.C.I.E. in 1889. He left
four sons of whom the eldest is;
Husain QuU Khan, the present Mukhbir-ud-Daulah, Director
of Telegraphs, with title of Mukhbir-ul-Mulk since 1877 ;
Minister of Telegraphs and Mukhbir-ud-Daulah since his
father’s death. His eldest son has the title of Mukhbir-ul-
Mamdlik.
He was dismissed from the post of Minister of Telegraphs
in April 1906 and spent the summer travelling in Europe.
He visited Paris and London and returned to Tehran in the
autumn of 1906. Was appointed Administrator of Tele
graphs on June 7th, 1908, for which he paid Muhammad ’AH
Shah £10,000 which helped to pay for the coup d'etat of
June 23rd, 1908. Was appointed Minister of Posts and Tele
graphs in May 1909.
Dismissed by Nationalists, July 1909. Considered to be a
reactionary and hated in consequence. He has always been
very friendly to His Majesty’s Legation and has been useful
on many occasions. Took refuge for a few days at His
Majesty’s Legation in July 1909. Speaks no foreign