Golbadan Baji ( Persian: گلبدنباجی) or Gulbadan Khanum (گلبدن خانم), also known by her title Khazen ol-Dowleh (خازنالدوله; fl. 19th-century) was a concubine and later wife of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar of Persia (r. 1797–1834).
Of Georgian origin, she was originally a slave girl of Fath-Ali Shah's mother after whose death she rose to prominence. [1] [2]
Fath-Ali Shah's mother Mahd-e Olya Asiye Khanum Ezzeddin Qajar had been responsible for functioning as the administrator of the Qajar harem household and treasurer until her death. [3] When she died, Fath-Ali Shah's wives were unable to choose a new head of the royal harem, and therefore requested Fath-Ali Shah to leave Golbadan Baji in charge of the household as she was reportedly familiar with the ways of her mistress. [3] By choosing a concubine, Fath-Ali Shah's wives protected themselves from the perception of favouring one wife over another. [3] Golbadan Baji therefore became head of the household pursestrings. [1] According to contemporaneous sources, she fulfilled this task efficiently and with fidelity. [1] Fath-Ali Shah was very impressed by Golbadan Baji's performance, and therefore married her as a sigheh, and gave her the honorific title (laqab) Khazen-ol-Dowleh. [1] [2]
She gave birth to two sons (Fath-Ali Shah's 37th son Bahman Mirza Baha-ol-Dowleh; and his 42nd son Seyfollah Mirza) and efficiently managed the harem's affairs and expenditures. [3] [2] According to contemporaneous sources, at Nowruz (the Iranian New Year), she chose gifts for the harem's residents, princes and notables including the governors of Iran's provinces. [3] Golbadan Baji kept a detailed list of all expenditures and presents. [3] She was well trusted by many inside and outside the harem. [3] At the height of her influence, Golbadan Baji presided over the private treasury, the harem finances and the Shah's private funds whilst heading a host of women secretaries and accountants. [4]
Golbadan Baji ( Persian: گلبدنباجی) or Gulbadan Khanum (گلبدن خانم), also known by her title Khazen ol-Dowleh (خازنالدوله; fl. 19th-century) was a concubine and later wife of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar of Persia (r. 1797–1834).
Of Georgian origin, she was originally a slave girl of Fath-Ali Shah's mother after whose death she rose to prominence. [1] [2]
Fath-Ali Shah's mother Mahd-e Olya Asiye Khanum Ezzeddin Qajar had been responsible for functioning as the administrator of the Qajar harem household and treasurer until her death. [3] When she died, Fath-Ali Shah's wives were unable to choose a new head of the royal harem, and therefore requested Fath-Ali Shah to leave Golbadan Baji in charge of the household as she was reportedly familiar with the ways of her mistress. [3] By choosing a concubine, Fath-Ali Shah's wives protected themselves from the perception of favouring one wife over another. [3] Golbadan Baji therefore became head of the household pursestrings. [1] According to contemporaneous sources, she fulfilled this task efficiently and with fidelity. [1] Fath-Ali Shah was very impressed by Golbadan Baji's performance, and therefore married her as a sigheh, and gave her the honorific title (laqab) Khazen-ol-Dowleh. [1] [2]
She gave birth to two sons (Fath-Ali Shah's 37th son Bahman Mirza Baha-ol-Dowleh; and his 42nd son Seyfollah Mirza) and efficiently managed the harem's affairs and expenditures. [3] [2] According to contemporaneous sources, at Nowruz (the Iranian New Year), she chose gifts for the harem's residents, princes and notables including the governors of Iran's provinces. [3] Golbadan Baji kept a detailed list of all expenditures and presents. [3] She was well trusted by many inside and outside the harem. [3] At the height of her influence, Golbadan Baji presided over the private treasury, the harem finances and the Shah's private funds whilst heading a host of women secretaries and accountants. [4]