Ashraf os-Saltaneh facts for kids

Ashraf os-Saltaneh (Persian: اشرف السلطنه‎, 1863–1914) was an important Iranian princess, photographer, and journalist. She lived during the Qajar dynasty period. She is known as one of the first women in Iran to be a photographer and a journalist. After her first husband passed away, she kept his daily journal safe. She had helped him write it. This journal was published in 1966. It gives us a look into what life was like at the royal court and about the ruler in the 1800s.

Early Life and Education

Who Was Ashraf os-Saltaneh?

Ashraf os-Saltaneh was born in 1863 in Kermanshah, Iran. Her birth name was Ezzat Malek Khanoum. Her father, Emamqoli Mirza Emaddollah, was a governor in western Iran. He was also the grandson of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, who was the second Qajar emperor of Iran. This means Ashraf os-Saltaneh came from a very important royal family.

Her Marriage and New Name

In 1871, she became the second wife of Mohammad Hasan Khan E'temad os-Saltaneh. She moved with him to Tehran. Her husband was a high-ranking official at the royal court. He worked as the personal interpreter and translator for the Shah, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. In 1887, her husband received the special title of E'temad os-Saltaneh. After this, she became widely known as Ashraf os-Saltaneh.

What Did She Learn?

Ashraf os-Saltaneh received a good education for someone in the royal family. She learned skills like cooking and sewing. But she also studied history and medicine, which was unusual for women at that time. She was very good at games like backgammon and chess. Her husband taught her French. Her brother, Soltan Mohammad Mirza, taught her how to take photographs.

Her Personality and Influence

Ashraf os-Saltaneh was a confident and strong-willed person. She was even friends with the Shah and his most important wife, Anis od-Dowleh. She was known for being proud and could speak her mind, even to members of the royal family. Her family connections gave her access to important information about the court. This information helped her husband a lot in his political life. She became a trusted advisor and helper for him.

Pioneering Photography and Journalism

Ashraf os-Saltaneh as a Photographer

Ashraf os-Saltaneh was a talented photographer. At that time, it was rare for women to be photographed, especially by men outside their family. Most photos of women were taken by foreign travelers or women from the royal court. Ashraf os-Saltaneh took many pictures inside the court. She even took a famous photograph of Naser al-Din Shah. Some of her photos were included in her husband's diary. She is known as the first woman photographer in Iran. Her sisters, Azra and Fatemeh, also became photographers at court.

Ashraf os-Saltaneh as a Journalist

Her husband, E'temad os-Saltaneh, kept detailed diaries about life at court. Ashraf os-Saltaneh was one of the few people who could read his private notes. Sometimes, he would tell her about the day's events, and she would write them down for him. A historian of the Iranian press, Saiyed Farid Ghasemi, called Ashraf os-Saltaneh the first woman journalist in Iran. He found nine articles she published with her husband, who was the press officer for Iran.

The Important Journal

When her husband died in 1896, he left his papers to the Shah. But the Shah was assassinated a month later. Ashraf os-Saltaneh then asked for the diary to be returned to her. She later married her cousin, Sayyid Husayn Thabit, and moved to Mashhad. In 1903, the new Shah, Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar, returned the journal to her. It stayed with her until she passed away.

Death and Lasting Impact

Ashraf os-Saltaneh died in 1914 in Mashhad. She was buried in the mausoleum at Dara al-Sidah. She left her first husband's diary to the Library of the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. In 1966, the diary was published. It shared important details about the culture and politics of Iran in the 1800s. It also gave personal insights into the life of the ruler, Naser od-Din Shah. Eight years after her death, a book about her life was written by Soltan Ahmad Dowlatshāhi Yamin-od-Dowle.