Ali Akbar Qavam ol-Molk
Ali Akbar Qavam ol-Molk (Persian: علی اکبر قوام الملک; 1788–1865) was an Iranian statesman who served as the kalantar (lord mayor) of Shiraz and Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi in the Qajar period. He was the youngest son of Hajji Ebrahim Shirazi, the grand vizier of Fath-Ali Shah who by the latter's order was executed, his family too, subsequently purged. Ali Akbar was one of the survivors. Later for appeasement by the orders of Fath-Ali Shah, his family lands were returned and he became the kalantar of Shiraz, thus marking the start of Qavam family.
Ali Akbar Qavam ol-Molk | |
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Qavam ol-Molk by Sani al-Molk, circa 1860s | |
| Kalantar of Shiraz | |
| In office 1811 – 21 June 1858 | |
| Monarchs | Fath-Ali Shah (r. 1797–1834) Mohammad Shah (r. 1834–1848) Naser al-Din Shah (r. 1848–1896) |
| Succeeded by | Zinat al-Moluk |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1788 Shiraz |
| Died | 1865 Mashhad |
| Resting place | Shiraz |
| Children | Fath-Ali Khan Mirza Hassan Ali Zinat al-Moluk |
| Parent |
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During his 47 years tenure, Qavam ol-Molk built a strong prestige and authority over not only Shiraz but Fars and the court of the Qajar kings. For that he even maintained his power after leaving his position as the kalantar. Ali Akbar was a patron of arts, as he ordered the building of several of Shiraz's most notable sites such as Qavam House. He was succeeded by his daughter, Zinat al-Moluk; that decision that was not accepted fondly by the officials.