An official letter from Prince Muhammad, later Muhammad Shah Qajar (reg. 1834-48), relating to the Russo-Persian Wars of 1826-28, Qajar Persia, dated June-July 1827

An official letter from Prince Muhammad, later Muhammad Shah Qajar (reg. 1834-48), relating to the Russo-Persian Wars of 1826-28
Qajar Persia, dated dhi'l-hajjah 1242/June-July 1827
Persian manuscript on paper, 16 lines of shikasteh in black ink with further text written diagonally in nasta'liq script in outer margins, seal impression to one side, laid down on an album page with coloured borders
letter 328 x 173 mm.; with borders 350 x 200 mm.
This is an official letter from Prince Muhammad (later Muhammad Shah) to his uncle Allahyar Khan, Asif al-Dawla, then Prime Minister to Fath 'Ali Shah, reporting on all the events in the north-west regions around Qarabagh, and asking for extra troops to protect the border from the Russians. The letter bears the seal impression of the prince at upper right, dated AH 1240/AD 1824-25
In response to Russian aggressions in the Persian-Russian border regions, anti-Russian sentiments were rising in Persia, culminating in the declaration of a jihad against the Russians by the cleric Agha Seyed Mohammad Tabatabai. In spite of Fath 'Ali Shah's more conciliatory attitude towards the Russians, it proved impossible for him to seek a peaceful resolution to these confrontations with the rising anti-Russian sentiments among the populace. Fath 'Ali Shah and the Crown Prince, Abbas Mirza, had no choice but to choose war over peace. This resulted in the decision for a full frontal attack against Russia in May/June 1826. The military commanders in the border regions were informed of this decision through a royal firman which was delivered through Asif al-Dawla, deputy commander in chief and trusted advisor of Abbas Mirza.

The present letter relates to this situation. It is addressed to Asef-al-Dowleh and confirms allegiance to the Shah and how any offensive should be planned and executed in the region and the reinforcements they would need in order to implement these plans. In July 1826 the Persians attacked over a broad front from Talesh to Georgia, besieging Shusha and Baku, but were unable to take them. For an analysis of the context within which this letter was written, see: Rezaqoli Khan Hedayat, Fehres al-Tavarikh, Tehran 1994. pp. 398-99; M. Atkin, Russia and Iran 1780-1828. Minneapolis, 1980. pp. 157-58.