Muhammad Karim Khân

Muhammad Karim Khan Zand , (Persan: کریمخانزند ), (approx. 1705 - 1779), was Shah of Iran of 1760 with 1779. It founded the Dynastie Zand.

Karim Khan was one of the generals of Nadîr Shâh. After the death of Nadir Shah in 1747, the Perse sank in the civil war. At this time, Karim Khan, Abdolfath Khan and Ali Mardan Khan agreed to divide the country between them and to give the throne to Ismaïl III. However, the co-operation stopped after Ali Mardan Khan invades the town of Esfahan and keep silent Abdolfath Khan. Consequently, Karim Khan killed Ali Mardan Khan and invades all the Iran except for the Khorasan, respecting Shah Rokh, the small son of Nadîr Shâh. Karim Khan did not adopt the title of Shah, preferring the title rear-Ra' Vakil aayaa ( the Regent of the peasants ).

During its reign, the relations with the Great Britain were restored, and it authorized the English Compagnie of the Eastern Indies to have a counter in the south of Iran. It made Shiraz its capital and ordered the construction of several architectural projects in this city. After the death of Karim Khan, the civil war still burst and after a few decades of battles and murder between its descendants, which was not able to manage the country like him, the dynasty Qajar E arrived at the capacity with the reign of Aga Mohammad Khan

To date, Karim Khan keeps very a good reputation in the history of Iran. That can be simply contrasts about it with Nadîr Shâh, known for its atrocities, or simply based on facts, but that remains debatable. However, of many fables and anecdotes introduce Karim Khan like a regent having compassion and really concerned with the life of its subjects.

External bond

History of Iran: Zand dynasty (in English)
Portrait of Karim Khan

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