Born: 1884
Biography:
Zahra Khanom Tadj es-Saltaneh, also known as Princess Qajar, was born in 1884 to Naser al-Din Shah, the King of Persia from 1848 to May 1896. She was not only a princess of the Qajar dynasty but also a feminist, women’s rights activist, and memoirist. Throughout her life, she played a pivotal role in challenging the limitations placed on Persian women and advocating for their rights.
In her memoirs, Zahra Khanom vividly described her upbringing in the royal harem. She used the details of court rules regarding wet nurses and slaves as an opportunity to critique the restrictive nature of Qajar society. Through her writings, she highlighted the limitations imposed on Persian women, shedding light on the plight they faced within society.
Zahra Khanom also shared her understanding of the successful plot and assassination of her father in 1896, providing a unique perspective on this tumultuous period in Persian history. Her firsthand account gave her readers a glimpse into the complexities of court intrigue and the challenges faced by the royal family.
At the age of 13, Zahra Khanom married Sardar Hassan Shojah al-Saltaneh, an aristocrat and the son of the defense minister. Together, they had four children. However, Zahra Khanom defied societal norms by divorcing her husband, becoming one of the first women in the royal family to do so. Her decision to break this taboo marked a significant step towards women’s empowerment in Iran.
In her memoirs, Zahra Khanom also highlighted the pain of her own betrothal at the young age of eight and the negative impact of arranged marriages. She made a pointed argument against veiling, criticizing its detrimental effects on family life and overall Persian society. Furthermore, she opened up about the emotional turmoil caused by her husband’s extramarital affairs and her choice to have an abortion out of fear for her own life during childbirth.
Later in life, Zahra Khanom dedicated herself to writing, reading, and raising her beloved granddaughter, Taj Iran. She exerted a profound influence on Taj Iran’s upbringing, and their close bond shaped the young girl’s character. Zahra Khanom resided with her daughter, Tooran al-Dowleh, until her passing.
Aside from being a member of the royal family, Zahra Khanom was a pioneer in many fields. She was an accomplished writer, a talented painter, an intellectual, and an activist. Every week, she hosted literary salons at her house, attracting renowned poets, writers, and thinkers of her time. Fluent in Arabic and French, she also played the violin, showcasing her multifaceted talents.
Zahra Khanom was not afraid to challenge established norms. She made history as the first woman in the Persian court to remove her hijab and wear Western clothes, defying conservative traditions. Furthermore, she was the first woman of the royal family to write a memoir, a powerful tool for expressing dissent and critiquing the monarchy under the rule of her father and brother.
Her words, spoken from a lone female voice advocating for change and democracy, resonated with the masses. Zahra Khanom blamed many of Iran’s problems, including poverty, lack of education, and women’s rights issues, on the incompetence of monarchs. Her fierce advocacy for women’s rights and her dedication to challenging oppressive norms laid the groundwork for future feminists and activists in Iran.
Zahra Khanom Tadj es-Saltaneh will forever be remembered as a trailblazer for women’s rights in Iran. She was a prominent founding member of Iran’s underground women’s rights group, the Women’s Freedom Association, and tirelessly worked towards equal rights for women around 1910. Despite the risks involved, she organized and attended secret meetings, often misleading her family about her whereabouts. She even led a women’s rights march to the parliament during Iran’s constitutional revolution, displaying her unwavering commitment to the cause.
The impact of Zahra Khanom’s activism and feminist ideals cannot be overstated. She fought against gender inequality, discrimination, and the institution of slavery. Her contributions to women’s history and her influential role in shaping Iranian society continue to inspire generations of women striving for gender equality and social justice.