Nov 27

KARIM KHAN UNHAPPY WITH THE OTTOMANS DEFEAT

On this day (November 27) in the year of 1770 Karim Khan Zand (Zend), the regent of Iran and our country’s disputed ruler received the Tsar of Russia’s special envoy at the pavilion used for formal meetings (at the present time, Pars Museum) in Shiraz, who brought him a royal message.      The Tsar of Russia, in his message, informed Karim Khan of his victory over the Ottomans fleet in July 1770, and asked Karim Khan for his friendship. But Karim Khan said to the Tsar’s envoy, “We are not happy about the defeat of other people”. The Tsar’s envoy was shocked from this unexpected answer because Karim Khan fought two wars with the Ottomans to get Basreh (Basra) and defeated the Ottomans twice and recaptured Basreh. The envoy had come 2500 kms to give his message to the Khan. He was the second Tsar’s envoy to Shiraz within five years.      Karim Khan saw himself as a representative of the people rather than the founder of a dynasty. He refused the title “Shah” and called himself “Wakil” or regent. He set a standard for justice and efficient administration. Karim Khan, with 30 years (1749-1779) of benevolent rule was so anxious for people to be happy that he paid musicians to play to them. He gave Iran a much-needed respite from continual warfare.      Karim Khan expelled the Dutch under Ketip Hauzen from Khark Island and Kharco and punished Sheikh Salman Bani Kaab who had become an outlaw.      Karim Khan, a pure Persian from the Zand clan of “Lur-Bakhtyari” people was one of the Nader Shah’s generals. When Nader Shah was assassinated on June 10, 1747 at Fatahabad (Quchan) by some of his generals, Karim Khan found himself in a chaotic situation because every rebellious general wanted part of Iran for himself. Karim Khan decided to challenge them to the end to keep Iran together as a united country. Therefore, he went to war with each general in a part of the country that lasted ten years and saved our homeland. After victory in this civil war, he pardoned all of his adversaries and forgave them. Nobody was executed and all dead enemies were buried with honor.      Khan ordered the construction of the Golestan Palace in Tehran but made his capital in the city of Shiraz near the ancient capital of the Persian Empire, Persepolis, 895 kms away from Tehran.      Karim Khan built the magnificent mosque of “Masjid-e-Wakil” and many other buildings including Hafez and Saadi’s tombs and a bazaar in Shiraz. He repaired the Jame Mozaffari Mosque in Kerman and encouraged agriculture and trade.      Karim Khan, whom European historians have called a just and modest ruler and a wonderful Iranian, removed taxation from farmers and workers