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Muhammad Beg

Type Figure Region Safavid Persia Time c. 1600–1672 Also known as Mohammad Beg、Muhammad Bey、Mohammad Ali Beg

Muhammad Beg was a Safavid official of Armenian origin who served in various posts including governor of New Julfa, port officer of Bandar Abbas, and…

Timeline

  1. 1641–1645Isfahan · Isfahan ProvinceAfter Abbas II ascended the throne as a child, Muhammad Beg already held a court position during the regency. From 1643 he served as governor of New Julfa, managing affairs of the capital's Armenian quarter, and enjoyed the support of the officer Alaverdi Khan.
  2. 1646–1650Bandar Abbas · Hormozgan ProvinceIn 1646 Muhammad Beg became port officer of Bandar Abbas, and in 1648 imperial assayer. In 1651 he was promoted to superintendent of royal affairs, and in 1652 concurrently governor of Kojiluye, his power growing steadily.
  3. 1654–1661Isfahan · IranIn 1654 Abbas II appointed Muhammad Beg as grand vizier. He pushed to incorporate Hamadan, Ardabil, Semnan, Kerman, and other places into the royal domain to strengthen the central treasury; in 1661 he was forced to resign by political rivals and exiled to Qom.

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