Khadijeh Begum(wifeKarim Khan Zand)

Khadijeh Begum Qajar was the wife of Karim Khan Zand and the daughter of Fath Ali Khan Qajar, the Ilkhan (tribal chief) of the Qajar tribe during the reign of Shah Sultan Husayn Safavid and a commander under Shah Tahmasp II.Khadijeh Khanum was a woman whose political insight and actions played a significant role in the establishment of the Qajar dynasty. After the death of Shah Sultan Husayn Safavid, Fath Ali Khan Qajar supported Shah Tahmasp Il in the fight against the Afghans. In recognition of his loyalty, the shah appointed him as regent and commander of the royal army. However, when Nader Afshar entered the inner circle of Shah Tahmasp II, Fath Ali Khan's influence declined. As a result of a political plot, he was executed in 1139 AH (1726/27 CE).After his father's death, his son Mohammad Hasan Khan went into hiding for a long time out of fear of Nader Shah. Following Nader Shah's death, Mohammad Hasan Khan attempted to claim The Throne. However, he faced a powerful rival, Karim Khan Zand. In 1172 AH (1758/59 CE), during one of these conflicts, Mohammad Hasan Khan was killed, and his head was sent to Karim Khan in Tehran.After his death, the members of his harem were transferred to Tehran. Khadijeh Begum, the sister of Mohammad Hasan Khan, was later married to Karim Khan. After a short stay in Tehran, she moved to Karim Khan's court in Shiraz.

Less than a year after Khadijeh Begum had settled in the harem, she informed Karim Khan Zand about an illicit relationship between several of his close associates and some of his wives.After the truth of the matter was confirmed, Karim Khan ordered the punishment of those involved. The accused were Aqa Mohsen Borujerdi, Rostam Sultan, and Kazem Sultan Zand. In 1177 AH, Khadijeh Begum once again informed Karim Khan of the betrayal of those around him. Through Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar's sister, Karim Khan learned that Mirza Aqil, the grand vizier (Minister of the Supreme Court), and Torab Khan Chegini Khorasani, the chief financial officer (Mostowfi al-Mamalek), were in contact with Zaki Khan Zand, who was acting against him:“On certain nights, guided by Taleb Khan and a few deceitful women, they would enter the inner harem known as Hasht Ayin, the private residence of His Auspicious Majesty. By fortunate circumstance, the sister of Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar, the chief consort of His Exalted Majesty, became aware of this matter and informed His Highness.”

In 1173 AH, during Karim Khan's spring excursion to Abhar, Khadijeh Begum obtained information about improper conduct between some of the harem women and certain courtiers. She reported the matter to Karim Khan Zand.After consulting with the wife of his brother, Zaki Khan Zand, and confirming the truth of Khadijeh Begum's claims, Karim Khan ordered the punishment of those responsible.

Although Khadijeh Begum did not have any children with Karim Khan, her active presence in the Zand harem clearly indicates the extent of her influence and authority.

A few months after this incident, in 1177 AH, the sons of Mohammad Hasan Khan Qajar were transferred from Damghan to Tehran by order of Karim Khan. Agha Mohammad Khan, along with one of his brothers, was then sent under the supervision of Khadijeh Begum to the court of Karim Khan in Shiraz. By this time, Khadijeh Khanum had earned a strong and trusted position in Karim Khan's court. She was therefore able to place her nephews under her protection with ease and “continued to show care and support for her noble nephew, Agha Mohammad Khan.”

Through Suleiman Khan, the young son of Mohammad Khan Qajar, who was still a child, Khadijeh Begum kept Agha Mohammad Khan informed about the events and happenings at the court.

Karim Khan Zand had a history of tuberculosis, and by Safar 1193 AH, his condition had worsened. Khadijeh Begum, through her young slave Suleiman Khan Qajar-Qoyunlu, informed Agha Mohammad Khan of the severity of Karim Khan's illness and advised him to leave Shiraz to avoid being harmed in the struggles among Karim Khan's successors.Following his aunt's advice, Agha Mohammad Khan left Shiraz daily under the pretext of hunting and returned each night. On the 13th of Safar, while returning from a hunting trip, he learned of Karim Khan Zand's death and immediately changed his course toward Astrabad.After prolonged conflicts with Karim Khan Zand's successors, Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar finally established Qajar rule across Iran in 1209 AH. In this historical event, the vigilance and intelligence of Khadijeh Begum Qajar cannot be overlooked.