Ali Reza Khan Azod-ol-Molk

Azod-ol-Molk painting by Kamal-ol-molk

Ali-Reza Khan Azod-ol-Molk (Template:Lang-fa‎; 11 October 1847 – 22 September 1910) was an Iranian politician who acted as regent for Ahmad Shah Qajar, the last ruling member of the Qajar dynasty.

Life

Ali Reza Khan Qajar, titled "Azod-ol-Molk", was the son of Mousa Khan, an uncle of Naser al-Din Shah. Ali Reza was part of the retinue of Naser al-Din Shah in 1870 and 1871, and accompanied him on his pilgrimages to the holy sites in Najaf and Karbala, and in 1873 and 1878 during his travels to Europe.

Ali Reza Khan was governor of Mazandaran and later Minister of Justice. After the overthrow of Mohammed Ali Shah Qajar in 1909, Ali Reza Khan was employed by decision of the Iranian Parliament as regent for the king's son, Ahmad Shah Qajar, who was a minor when he ascended the throne after his father was deposed. Ali Reza Khan had no formal schooling. He was regarded as an honest politician. At the end of his life he was known as Dai Khan (honorable uncle).

Sources

• Cyrus Ghani: Iran and the rise of Reza Shah. I.B.Tauris, 1998, S. 11.`