Mahmoud Mofakham

Life

Born to Mirza Abdol Ghani on 15 May 1871 in Tabriz, (a main town of Southern Azerbaijan ). After his Primary and Ancient studies he entered into service at the Foreign Ministry. He married Khadije Soltan Khanoom and they had one son and two daughters.

Masood: ? Mofakham El Soltan ?(1888 ? 1952) Rabieh Soltan: (1893 ? 1978 ) born in Tabriz; home tutored; married Mirza Abdol Azeem Farshi ?Mirza Agha?, a well known merchant in Azerbaijan. They had one son and three daughters Shokat Soltan: (1898 ? ???? ) born in Tabriz; home educated; married Fatollah Kiamars ?Babayoff? They had no children.

Rabieh Soltan & Masood

He lost his wife to "Cholera" in 1906 - she died in Kermanshah and was buried in Najaf. Mohtasham-ed-dole died in Belgium in 1943. His body was sent to Iran by the Belgium Government. Sadly, due to WWII, the transport was delayed in Italy for four years. Eventually his remains were carried on board a battleship to Southern Iran and transported with military honours to Tehran. He was buried in the Mofakham mausoleum.

Career

His first job was in the embassy in Constantinople (Istanbul) Turkey. He was familiar with european languages, culture and traditions. At the time of Mirza Mahmoud Khan Ala-ol-molk Diba's move from St Petersburg, to Istanbul, he recommended Ishagh as Head Consulate to Cairo, a post he held for four years.Marrying Zahra, daughter of Nsrolah Mosheer-Dole, Minister for Forein Affairs (who later became the first Prime Minister in Iran), helped his career along.He began his career as an "Ambassador at Large" (this is a representative of the King "Muzaffar ad-Din Shah" and the Country with no specific Office).South Americas - in 1885 he travelled via Washington DC to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Buenos Aires (Argentina) and signed an Alliance with Julio Argentino Roca on behalf of the King Muzaffar ad-Din Shah.USA - in 1889 he took a permanent Office in Washington DC until 1903.Austria - in 1904 he took up the Office of Ambassador in Vienna until 1909.Belgium - in 1905, for a short time, he took up the Ambassadorship to Bruxelles.Italy - in 1911 he became the Ambassador to Rome until 1917.Russia - in1917 he took up the Ambassadorship to St. Petersburg until 1921.

He spent his working career in the Persian Foreign Ministry (Qajar Dynasty). He first received the title of "Mofakham-el-Soltan" (later given to his son, Masood Mofakham) and later was changed to "Mohtasham-ed-Dolleh". He was the Iranian representative in many countries. Turkey:- 1888 he was nominated Attach? in Constantinople. Egypt:- he consequently transferred to Cairo, where he remained until 1891. Egypt:- in 1893 he was appointed Deputy Ambassador Charge de Affair until 1896. Belgium:- in 1896 he was appointed First Secretary to the Persian Legateship in Bruxelles and in 1899 he was promoted to Counsellor until 1901. Iran:- in 1901 he left Bruxelles to take up the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs in Teheran. India:- in 1902 he was promoted to Resident Minister at the Consulate General in Calcutta until 1906. Georgia:? in 1906 he was appointed Persian Consulate-General until 1907.* Europe:- in 1907 he was responsible for diplomatic missions in Europe. Belgium:- in 1908 he arrived in Bruxelles as the Persian Envoy Extraordinaire and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Royal Court of Belgium until 1925. * In 1906 there was assassination attempt on his life in Tiblisi, but his deputy (Saleh Khan) got killed. During his last posting as Ambassador to Belgium, he received the title of "Sheikh-al-Soffara" (Chief of Ambassadors) for the exceptional services he rendered at this post.

Embassador's Office in Bruxells.

Accolades

At the beginning of the war, after refusing the right of passage, Belgium was occupied by the German army, who used the country as a corridor to North Europe. King, Government and Foreign Ambassadors fled the occupied capital (Bruxelles). He remained and opened the Embassy's doors to all those who were desperately looking for (political) shelter. There are countless notes and letters from people from all walks of life asking for his intervention with the occupied forces, or sending their gratitude for saving their sons, fathers or husbands from certain death. After the King and Goverment returned at the end of the war a "bust" of him was commissioned and a famous painter painted a full length oil portrait of him in gratitude for his services.

In a ceremony, in the presence of all the dignatories whose lives were one way or another affected by him and many Belgium VIPs, he was presented with a " Guest Book " and a large bronze plaque. It was commisioned by the ?"Commitee of Free Belgium". It was 75 centimeter in diameter and mounted on a mahogany stand. (sadly, I am unaware of the whereabouts of this plaque and would welcome any news, especially a photograph). However, at the time, there were some smaller replicas produced (of which I am the proud owner of one)

In 1909 he was invited to become a member of the "Cercle Royal du Parc ", which was a great honour.

Translation of the above magazine article into English.

His Excellence Mahmoud Khan Mofakham, Persian Minister at the Royal Court of Belgium had a brilliant career. It was after an exceptional education in Persia and in Europe that he was nominated Attach? in Constantinople in 1888. Transferred consequently to Cairo, he remained there until 1891, when he returned to Persia for three years. Cairo saw his return in 1894 as First Secretary to the Diplomatic Office, where he was also entrusted with the management of the Consulate Administration. It was at the end of 1896 that he was appointed First Secretary to the Persian Legateship in Bruxelles and in 1899 he was promoted to Counsellor. He left Bruxeles in 1901 to take up the post of Minister for Foreign Affairs in Teheran.

In 1902 he was promoted to Resident Minister at the Consulate General in Calcutta. In 1906 he was given the Persian Consulate-General in Tiblis. In 1907 he was responsible for diplomatic missions in Europe. In February 1908 he arrived in Bruxelles as Persian Envoy Extraordinaire and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Royal Court of Belgium. So, from the age of 18, his Excellence Mahmoud Khan Mofakham represented Persia in Belgium. Of all the members of the Diplomatic Corps he is the only one to be given accredition in our country under the reign of Leopold II. During his long stay in our country Mahmoud Khan contributed enormously to the consolidation between Persia and Belgium and he was always totally and patriotically devoted to his job.

During the four year occupation of the war he devoted himself tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of the Belgian people; he shared our worries and our sadness; he faithfully remained at his post. This distinguished diplomat acquired very special recognition from the Belgians. This was expressed during a ceremony held in his honour on 1st April 1919 and which brought together all Belgians from all different social backgrounds. One was reminded of his Excellence Mahmoud Khan?s deeds and how he saved many people through his tireless intervention with the occupier.

Horrific punishments were commuted thanks to his intervention, his protection and the pressure he put on the Germans to save our martyrs. It was through his efforts that exiled workers were able to return to their families. This was all done free of charge. He also helped war invalids during the occupation. All of this was remembered during the moving ceremony. A great friend has left us. Wanting to recognise these great deeds during the war, the King awarded him the Ribbon of the Order of Leopold on his return to Belgium. We still remember His Excellence Mahmoud Khan. We sincerely and deeply regret his parting. Translated by: Kind Freind Karin Tearle.

Embassy in Bruxells

For his services to the King (Kajar) and Country he received :

Order	Description	Awarded by	Year
	The Qajar Order of Imperial Effigy.	Ahmad Shah Qajar
	The Grand Cross in the Order of Leopold II.	Albert 1st King of Belgium	1919
	The Grand Officer in the Order of Leopold.	Albert 1st King of Belgium
	The Knight of the order of the Crown	Belgium Ministry of Foreign Affairs	1922