Nasr-ed-Din (1829-1896)

Shah of Iran 1849-96. He visited Europe on three occasions, the first shah to do so, and granted trade concessions to Russia and Britain. He was assassinated and was succeeded by his son Muzaffar-ed-Din.

Nasr-ed-Din became heir apparent in 1835 and governor of Azerbaijan in 1848. His succession as shah was the occasion of rebellion especially in Khorasan. In 1850 there was a Babi (see Babism) uprising which was suppressed with brutality, and in 1852 a Babi made an attempt on his life. In 1856 his seizure of Herat, Afghanistan, led to war with Britain, ended by the Treaty of Paris in 1857.

Russia took possession of Ashurada in 1852; in 1866 a secret understanding was announced between Russia and Iran in which Russia in certain circumstances would do its best to enable Iran to obtain possession of Herat; and in 1887 the shah pledged himself in a secret agreement with Russia not to give permission for the construction of railways or waterways without consulting the tsar.