When he was assassinated in 1896, Nasir al-Din Shah had sat on the Peacock throne for nearly half a century. A colourful, complex figure, he is frequently portrayed as indolent and self-indulgent. This book gives us both a biography of the man and an analysis of the institution of monarchy in modern Iran.

When he was assassinated in 1896, Nasir al-Din Shah had sat on the Peacock throne for nearly half a century. A colourful, complex figure, he is frequently portrayed as indolent and self-indulgent. This book gives us both a biography of the man and an analysis of the institution of monarchy in modern Iran.

Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsPrefaceNote on Transliteration and StyleINTRODUCTION: THE ROYAL DOMAINFrom the Tent to the ThroneThe Shah and His SubjectsWithin Fragile FrontiersNobility and the Problem of Succession1. THE CHILD OF TURKMANCHAYUnhappy UnionLonesome ChildhoodStruggle for Heir Apparency2. A MIRROR FOR THE PRINCEFormal EducationThe Fight and the FeastLesson of the MirrorsDisplay of the WorldRehearsal for the ThroneThe Prophet and the Priests3.ASCENDING THE THRONEDeparting for the CapitalPeople's Council and Power ContestWearing the Kayanid CrownMachination and Mutiny4. THE SHAH AND HIS ATABAKLearning to RuleThe Sublime CradleCastle of Mirrors, Cannonballs of SeditionKilling the Atabak5. A NARROW ESCAPEReturn to the Old WaysThe Assassination AttemptThe Babi BloodbathAn Inadvertent Victim6. PLAYING THE POWER GAMEThe Heart DebacleThe King of the Shi'itesThe Curse of the ProtectedAlliance with RussiaRoyal Rights Ridiculed7. YOUTHFUL AMBITIONSBully-Boy DiplomacyUprooting the Victorian TreeConquest of HeartIn Search of Friends: France and the United StatesWar in the Persian GulfPeace with EnglandSaving Face8. ABOLISHING THE SIDARATThe Flying Gazelle and the Absolute PotentateDelegating PowerRuinous FeverThe Valley of DismissalFate of a Fallen Minister9. BALANCING THE OLD AND THE NEWHolding the Reins of PowerIn the House of OblivionAn Honest Goodwill MissionOminous ConjunctionFearing Him Who FearsThe Royal PrerogativeEPILOGUE: REMNANTS OF A REIGNPrecarious Order WithinFrom Defiance to DeferenceA Personal UniverseChaos RevisitedLegacy of a Long ReignAbbreviationsNotesBibliographyIndex