Khosrow Soltan Armani

Khosrow Soltan Armani
Qajar-era painting, perhaps anachronistically depicting the Iranian victory over the Russians in the 1651–1653 war. The Iranian figure in the center likely represents Khosrow Khan, depicted as both a Qajar prince and a mytho-historical hero of the Shahnameh. The opposing Russian forces, dressed in antiquated and provincial-style clothing, likely represent local troops from the North Caucasus
Governor of Shirvan
In office 1643–1653
Preceded by	Arab Khan Shamlu
Succeeded by	Najafqoli Khan Cherkes
Governor of Abhar (Soltaniyeh)
In office before 1642 – Unknown
Preceded by	Safiqoli Khan Begdeli
Succeeded by	Safiqoli Beg
Master of the hunt (mīr shekār-bāshi)
In office 1632–1645
Preceded by	Qujeh Beg
Succeeded by	Allahverdi Khan (Armenian)
Personal details
Died	1653
Children	Allahverdi Khan (Armenian) and Emamverdi Beg
Occupation	Military leader, official
Military service
Allegiance	Safavid Iran
Battles/wars	Russo-Persian War of 1651–1653

Khosrow Soltan Armani, also known as Khosrow Khan (died 1653), was a Safavid official, military commander, and gholam of Armenian origin. He held numerous posts at various times. First, he served as the prefect of the Bakhtiari tribe for a lengthy period (darughah-ye il-e Bakhtiyar). Then, he served as a steward of the Javanshir tribe in Karabagh (hakem-e il-e Javanshir). Later, he held the post of "master of the hunt" (mīr shekār-bāshi) and was given the governorship of Abhar (Soltaniyeh). Lastly, he also served as the governor (beglarbeg) of Shirvan from 1643 to 1653. During his governorship in Shirvan, Khosrow participated in the successful Safavid offensive during the Russo-Persian War of 1651–1653, which resulted in the Russian fortress on the Iranian side of the Terek River being destroyed and its garrison expelled.

To denote that he was a convert, in the then contemporary sources Khosrow was referred to as being "new to Islam" (jadid ol-eslam). His sons Allahverdi Khan (not to be mistaken with the Georgian Allahverdi Khan) and Emamverdi Beg would hold several influential positions as well.

Sources

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• Fleischer, C. (1985). "ALLĀHVERDĪ KHAN (2)". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. I, Fasc. 8. p. 892.
• Floor, Willem (2001). Safavid Government Institutions. Costa Mesa, California: Mazda Publishers. p. 117. ISBN 978-1568591353.
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• Matthee, Rudi (2012). "Facing a Rude and Barbarous Neighbor: Iranian Perceptions of Russia and the Russians from the Safavids to the Qajars". In Amanat, Abbas; Vejdani, Farzin (eds.). Iran Facing Others: Identity Boundaries in a Historical Perspective. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 104. ISBN 978-1137013408.