'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎415] (470/714)

THE SHAH—ROYAL FAMILY—MINISTERS
415
variously quoted to me as 40,000, 60,000, and 72,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , the
lowest estimate being equivalent to 11,400?., the highest to 20,500/. •
whichever it be, it is notoriously inadequate for the becoming
maintenance of lo^al state, a great retinue, and a large harem ;
and the'prince has continually found himself in the ignominious
position of being indebted to his own Prime Minister for the means
of defraying his expenses. From the Amir-i-Nizam he received
an annual contribution towards this object of 40,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. .
Owing to his long residence in Azerbaijan, and to the close
proximity of that province to Russian territory, he has frequently
been credited with strong Russophile proclivities. There does not
appear, however, to be any more ground for this than for the other
damaging insinuations against his character ; the Prince seeing so
little of any Europeans that it is impossible to ascertain his real
sympathies. The Amir-i-Nizam was reputed to be a strong
Russophile, and in consequence to have encouraged the belief
that his feelings were shared by his royal master. In the lack of
any more serious occupation, the latter has devoted himself greatly
to sport and shooting, being, like all the Kajars, a fine performer
both with a rifle and a shot-gun ; and being further devoted to
artillery exercise, at which he is something more than an amateur,
making excellent practice with the Austrian Uchatius guns in
the arsenal at Tabriz. In appearance, as the accompanying photo
graph will show, he is of middle stature, and of handsome, but
careworn expression. He is the father of a large family, having
more than twelve children living, several of whom are already
married. His first wife—the daughter of Mirza Taki Khan, the
gieat minister of whom I have spoken, and consequently his first
cousin, her mother being the Shah's sister—he parted with, owing,
it is said, to circumstances arising out of her father's assassination.
One of her sisters was married to his elder brother, the Zil-es-
Sultan, but died many years ago. Such is the information that I
have been able to gather about the next king of Persia. He is
emphatically what would, in sporting parlance, be termed < a dark
horse.' It is quite possible, however, that upon his succession to
the throne, this unknown quantity may turn out somewhat of a
surprise. The recent eclipse of his elder brother has added to his
prestige and chances, which, approved by the reigning monarch,
recognised by foreign Powers, and accepted by the country, may
now be looked upon, humanly speaking, as absolutely secure.'