Anna Khanum


Anna Khanum was the queen consort of Iran as the wife of the Safavid king Safi. She was the mother of her husband's successor, King Abbas II.

Early life

Anna Khanum was of Circassian origin. She married Shah Safi, the son of Mohammad Baqer Mirza, the eldest son of Abbas I. She was the mother of Abbas II.

As Queen dowager

After Safi's death in 1642, his son Abbas II ascended the throne. A triumvirate consisting of Saru Taqi, Mohammad Ali Khan and Jani Khan Shamlu, worked in alliance with Anna Khanum and effectively wielded power at the court for the first three years of Abbas's reign. Saru Taqi maintained his position as grand vizier. Anna Khanum was his ally and the one to consolidate power within his faction. Jean Chardin, a French jeweller and traveller, noted their friendship and collaboration in his discussion after Abbas's accession to the throne in 1645. He said the following about them:
Saru Taqi was assassinated by Jani Khan, probably with Abbas's consent who was attempting to gain his independence from his mother and her slave allies. Anna Khanum was extremely angry at Jani Khan. She sent one of her principal eunuchs, probably the eldest, rish sefid of the harem to Jani Khan, asking him to explain his actions. He responded rudely calling Saru Taqi a dog and a thief, and then proceeded to insult Anna Khanum personally.
Following the murder, Jani Khan himself was betrayed by the royal sommelier, Safi Qoli Beg, who feared that the ultimate objective of the conspiracy was the overthrow of the Shah himself. But the real inspiration behind the terrible revenge that followed was Anna Khanum. Jani Khan was assassinated four days after he executed Saru Taqi.

Sponsorings

Anna Khanum is known to have sponsored the construction of a mosque and a school in the Abbasabad suburb of the royal capital Isfahan.

Death

Anna Khanum died on 9 September 1647.