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Memories of a Bygone Age: Qajar Persia and Imperial Russia 1853-1902
Set against the backdrop of Iran’s struggle against the rising powers of Russia and Britain, the memoirs of Mirza Riza Khan Arfa’-ed-Dowleh—otherwise known as Prince Arfa (1853–1902)—are packed with picaresque adventures as the prince tells the story of his rise from humble provincial beginnings to the heights of the Iranian state. With this translation, his incredible story is brought to life for the first time in English.
Prince Arfa writes with arresting wit about the deadly intrigues of the Qajar court. Lamentingly, but resolutely, he chronicles the decline of Iran from a once great empire to an almost bankrupt, lawless state, in which social unrest is channelled and exploited by the clergy. He describes the complex interactions between Iran and Europe, including an account of Naser-od-Din Shah’s profligate visits to Britain and France; the splendor and eccentricities of the doomed Tsar Nicholas II’s court; the Tsar’s omen-laden coronation; and his own favor with the Tsarina, who would grant him concessions on matters of vital importance to his country. The result is a memoir of extraordinary political intrigue.
Prince Arfa writes with arresting wit about the deadly intrigues of the Qajar court. Lamentingly, but resolutely, he chronicles the decline of Iran from a once great empire to an almost bankrupt, lawless state, in which social unrest is channelled and exploited by the clergy. He describes the complex interactions between Iran and Europe, including an account of Naser-od-Din Shah’s profligate visits to Britain and France; the splendor and eccentricities of the doomed Tsar Nicholas II’s court; the Tsar’s omen-laden coronation; and his own favor with the Tsarina, who would grant him concessions on matters of vital importance to his country. The result is a memoir of extraordinary political intrigue.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published November 15, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 26, 2020
کتاب خاطرات شخصی هست که اصل و نصب قاجاری نداشته ولی تونسته پله های ترقی رو یکی یک طی کنه و حتی اولین نفری باشه که بدون ارتباط خونی درجه پرنس رو از شاه دریافت کنه.
اطلاعات جالبی درباره سیاست های دوره قاجار، دربار ناصرالدین شاه ، ارتباطات خارجی دربار قاجار با کشورهای دیگه مثل روسیه، گرجستان و ... می ده.
ولی به نظر می رسه که خیلی جاها خودش رو زیاد از حد مهم می بینه. و خیلی جاها عنوان می کنه که اگر عقل و درایت ایشون نبود کشور به قهقرا می رفت.
در بعضی موارد هم اشتباهاتی داره که ممکنه به خاطر گذر زمان بوده باشه چون در اواخر عمرش این خاطرات رو نوشته. مثلا اسم دکتر فوریه، پزشک فرانسوی ناصرالدین شاه رو به اشتباه چیز دیگه ای می نویسه.
پرنس ارفع دو کاخ در گرجستان و یک کاخ در موناکو ساخت که تا به امروز موجود هست ولی تغییر کاربری داده.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJQc5sYnU...
اطلاعات جالبی درباره سیاست های دوره قاجار، دربار ناصرالدین شاه ، ارتباطات خارجی دربار قاجار با کشورهای دیگه مثل روسیه، گرجستان و ... می ده.
ولی به نظر می رسه که خیلی جاها خودش رو زیاد از حد مهم می بینه. و خیلی جاها عنوان می کنه که اگر عقل و درایت ایشون نبود کشور به قهقرا می رفت.
در بعضی موارد هم اشتباهاتی داره که ممکنه به خاطر گذر زمان بوده باشه چون در اواخر عمرش این خاطرات رو نوشته. مثلا اسم دکتر فوریه، پزشک فرانسوی ناصرالدین شاه رو به اشتباه چیز دیگه ای می نویسه.
پرنس ارفع دو کاخ در گرجستان و یک کاخ در موناکو ساخت که تا به امروز موجود هست ولی تغییر کاربری داده.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJQc5sYnU...
August 8, 2024
the editor cut so much material out
October 31, 2022
I don’t know this is the complete work of the author or the selected part by his inhabitants, as many other things related to Iran and this culture, it start ok and then suddenly end !! I don’t know maybe the guy get tired and finish it earlier than it should.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews