1887.] 
49 
E. E. Oliver —The Safwi Dynasty of Persia. 
SULAIMAN THE FlRST 1077—1106 H. 
The eldest son of ’Abbas II. was another Safi, at his father’s 
death about twenty years of age. Some attempt was made to set him 
aside in favour of a younger brother, but the proposal [was defeated 
by a faithful eunuch, and he ascended the throne in 1077 H. under the 
title of Sulaiman Shah. Physically exceptionally strong, he seems to 
have been morally exceptionally weak. Unwarlike to cowardice, dis¬ 
solute, dividing his time between the pleasures of the table and the 
pleasures of the harem, where, at one period, he remained immersed 
several years at a stretch, leaving his country to govern itself,—and his 
country seems to have done as well without as with him. The favourite 
of the time was almost absolute, though he occasionally risked having 
perforce to get drunk with his master, who objected to too virtuous a 
minister. His court was as splendid as any of his predecessors; 
strangers were encouraged and protected, and many Europeans resort¬ 
ed there. We find the East India Company’s Agent sending for chests 
of sack, claret and Rhenish as the surest way to secure the favour of 
the king. The Uzbaks, however, renewed their annual invasion of 
Khurasan. The Qipchaq Tatars harried the shores of the Caspian ; 
and the Dutch seized the island of Kishmah in the Persian Grulf. All 
this Sulaiman is described as bearing most meekly, and to have been 
ever ready to turn the other cheek to the smiter. 
There is but little else to tell. Like his predecessors, he extended 
his hospitality to the house of Ashtrakhan, and when, in 1091 H., ’Abdu- 
l-’Aziz, the Daniel Lambert of his time, with 300 pilgrims passed 
through to Mekka, he was treated with regal honours. Sulaiman died, 
worn out with his excesses in 1106 H. in the 49th years of his age and 
the 29th of his reign. 
Shah Husain, 1106—1135 H. 
With the accession of Shah Husain the progress of Persia down¬ 
hill became still more rapid. Equally as weak and indolent as his 
father, his weakness was united to bigotry that proved worse for his 
country than the vices of his predecessors. Chosen by corrupt eunuchs 
and fanatical mullas on account of this very character, they were able to 
misgovern Persia in his name. Hone but creatures of these men were 
appointed to high stations, displacing the old nobles. Religious perse¬ 
cution became the rule. “ Merit,” says Han way, “became an empty 
sound, all offices and dignities were given to those who paid the highest 
price, money decided everything, * * The troops discouraged by ill 
discipline and worse pay, served with reluctance. Robbers infested the 
highway, and interrupted commerce. * * J ustice was sold in the very 
