Ali Murad Khan

Who was Ali Murad Khan?

Ali Murad Khan Zand the sixth Shah of the Zand dynasty, reigned from March 15, 1781 until February 11, 1785.

After the death of Karim Khan Zand, Agha Muhammad Khan who was a hostage—in light of preventing an outbreak of war between the Qajar tribes in the northern Persia and the Zands—escaped promptly and reached Mazandaran. Subsequently he took command of his tribe in Astrabad, and declared independence from the Zand Shah. Therefore, Zaki Khan dispatched the Persian army under the command of his nephew, Ali Murad Khan against the Qajar lord.

Ali Murad Khan was given power over the Persian army to destroy Qajar tribes in the north, but he betrayed Abol Fath Khan, and left him defenseless in capital to be slain by Sadiq Khan. Ali Murad then captured Isfahan. He levied high taxes on the people, and tortured and slew whoever refused. Finally on March 14, 1781 he captured Shiraz, and slew Sadiq Khan, and sat on the throne. He then ruled until 1785, when he was overthrown by Sadiq's son Jafar.