Events

The Hall of the Golestan Palace fell silent as Kamran Durrani, chained and guarded, was brought before the Sun Throne. The former ruler of Herat had already faced the Sharia courts of Tehran. Their judgement was delivered after examination of his submission to Abbās Mīrzā, his subsequent repudiation of that submission, and his raising of armed resistance against the authority he had sworn to acknowledge.

The judges found him guilty of treason and repeated oathbreaking, citing Surat an-Nahl, 16:91 and 16:94, wherein the faithful are commanded to fulfil covenants made before Allah, not to break confirmed oaths, nor employ oaths deceitfully, and that doing so breaks the tenants of Islam.

Mohammad Shah looked down upon the prisoner. "Kamran Durrani, the law has judged you. Yet before your Shahanshah pronounces sentence, you shall be permitted to speak. Say now what you would have remembered as your final words."

Kamran raised himself as far as his chains permitted. "I was born a prince and ruled as my fathers ruled. I defended what I believed was mine. If I broke faith, I did so from fear that Herat would cease to belong to my house. Shahanshah, you have conquered me. Let conquest satisfy you. Spare my life, or grant me a death befitting a Muslim prince."

Mohammad Shah remained silent for some moments. "My father offered you submission with honour. You swore obedience, surrendered hostages, and were restored to Herat. You then mocked that covenant. Persian blood was shed because your oath meant nothing."

The Shah rose from the Sun Throne. "The judgement of the Court is confirmed. The sentence of Mohammad Shah Qajar, Shahanshah-e Iran, upon Kamran Durrani is Sham'i Ajjin. You will be taken from these halls, and in public, so others may witness the cost of treason and faithlessness, you shall be savaged. In these wounds shall candles be lit, and before Allah and the Ummah, you shall be left to the elements until Hell claims you."

For an instant the prisoner appeared unable to comprehend what had been spoken. Then terror overcame whatever dignity remained to him.

"No! Shahanshah, rahm kon! Mercy! Give me the sword! The rope! I beg you, by God and by the Prophet, grant me a cleaner death!"

The guards seized him as he collapsed against his chains. Kamran continued pleading while they dragged him from the hall, his voice carrying through the palace corridors as courtiers stood in grim silence.

Below the Golestan Palace, the condemned man was returned to the cells to await preparation for his execution. Mohammad Shah resumed his seat.

"The oath of a prince," he said, "cannot be worth less than that of the poorest man in Iran."