Sadiq Khan (Zand)

Sadiq Khan Zand

Sadiq Khan Zand ( Persian صادق‌خان زند, DMG Ṣādiq-Ḫān Zand ; † 1782 ) was the fifth Shah of the Zand dynasty , who ruled Persia from August 22, 1779 to March 14, 1781.

Sadiq Khan was Karim Khan's brother , but unlike Karim Khan , he was known for his corruption. His reign was the apex of his political cockiness. When Abol Fath Khan became ruler on June 19, 1779 , Zaki Khan was his helper with whom Abol Fath could rule and survive. After the murder of Zaki Khan by the citizens of Isfahan , he became powerless and many who were just waiting for the right moment rebelled.

Ali Murad Khan , who was in command of the royal army and sent to stave off a Qajar attack from the north, betrayed Abol Fath and left the capital defenseless. So Sadiq Khan invaded Shiraz and met little resistance. On August 22, 1779, he sacked the city, killed Abol Fath Khan after having his eyes gouged out, and declared himself the new Shah of Persia.

In the meantime, Ali Murad Khan had taken Isfahan, which was no surprise with the military power he wielded. In 1781 Ali Murad Khan attacked Shiraz and became the new Shah of Persia. Then he killed Sadiq Khan and the bloody succession conflicts of the Zand continued.

Web links

• The rulers in Iran Overview (English)