'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia: About 1889-1890' [‎123r] (245/1486)

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absolutely sincere. He is very energetic, and has great confidence in his own
cleverness and ability.
About the spring of last year he received the Russian Order of St. Anne
of the First Class in brilliants. He has received the Red Eagle of Germany
and several other high Orders.
(2) Mirza Ali Khan, styled Amin-ud-Dowleh, is the son of the late Mirza
Muhammad Khan, styled Majd-ul-Mulk, who was married to a sister of the
Mirza Aga Khan Nuri, who was Prime Minister of Persia in the beginning of
the present Shah’s reign. The late Majd-ul-Mulk’s father, Fath Ali Peg
Lavasani, had a numerous following, and was deprived of his sight by Fath
Ali Shah for making an attempt at independence. The Amin-ud-Dowleh’s
father was employed in the Foreign Office, was Vazir to the lafe Shah’s mother,
and finally became Minister of Vezaif and Angafs (Pensions and Church
Properties).
The Amin-ud-Dowleh, as Mirza Ali Khan, became a great favourite with
the Shah, becoming His Majesty’s Private Secretary. In 1290 (1873) he
received the title of Amin-ul-Mulk and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
He was sent on a special mission to King Humbert of Italy in order to offer
the Shah’s condolences on the death of Victor Emanuel, and to congratulate
His Majesty on his accession. In 1299 he received the higher title of Amin-ud-
Dowleh. Before the Amin-us-Sultan supplanted him he enjoyed supreme
power. He accompanied the Shah on the first and second journeys to Europe,
has considerable civilization, and speaks French tolerably. He is President
of the Council of Ministers, a member of the Council of Five, Minister of Pen
sions and Church Property, and Minister of the Post.
The Amin-ud-Dowleh is a formidable rival to the Amin-us-Sultan, and
has a crowd of warm adherents. His partizans complain of his want of energy,
but every one acknowledges his ability. He has been decorated by most
European Governments. He is full of liberal ideas and schemes for progress,
and is trustworthy.
(3) Ali Kuli Khan, styled Mukhber-ud-Dowleh, son of the Late Reza Kuli
Khan, Laleh Bashi (Chief Tutor), styled Amir-ush-Shuara (the Amir of the
Poets). His father was tutor to the favourite son of the late Shah, and subse
quently tutor to the present Veliahd, later on being intrusted with the Director
ship of the Royal College at Tehran.
During his father’s lifetime Ali Kuli Khan did not rise to any very pro
minent position. Actively associated with the introduction of telegraphy into
Persia, he succeeded the late Etizad-us-Sultaneh in the office of Minister of
Telegraphs and Administrator-General of the Persian system. Shortly after this
promotion he was also appointed Minister of Public Instruction and Minister
of Mines. From long intercourse with the officials of the Indian Government
Telegraphs in Persia, and with the representatives of the Indo-European Tele
graph Company, he has become impregnated with English sympathies; and
for much assistance to the Indian Government Telegraphs, and the friendly
disposition he has invariably so far entertained towards them, he was made
some years since a Companion of the Indian Empire.
The Mukhber-ud-Dowleh’s sons were educated in Germany, and some
years ago, when the Shah wished to purchase some ships for the Gulf, they
induced their father to go to Germany for his purchases, instead of carrying
out his intention of intrusting the commission to English ship-builders. One
of the sons, who has the title of Sani-ud-Dowleh, is married to the daughter of
the present heir-apparent. The Mukhber-ud-Dowleh accompanied the Shah on
the first journey to Europe, and understands a little French. He has the Shah’s
portrait in diamonds, is an Excellency, Minister of the Council, and member of
the Council of Five. He is a man of great enlightenment, but of a quiet, retir
ing, indolent disposition, with hardly any ambition for any further advancement
which might cost him some expenditure of energy or trouble. He was until
lately Minister of Commerce also, but this Ministry was taken away from him
and bestowed on Yahya Khan.
Since the official list of the Shah’s suite was issued to the foreign repre
sentatives interested, the Mukhber-ud-Dowleh has much pressed for, and sue-