The Role of the Alexander Mirza Georgian Family in the Politics, Culture, and Economy of Modern Iran

Caucasian ethnic groups have had a close relationship with Iranians in recent centuries. Among the ethnic groups that played an important role in the political and economic structure of Iran during the Qajar era were the Georgians. This article attempts, using historical reports and data, to examine the presence of Georgian immigrants in Iran and to investigate the activities and life of Alexander Mirza Georgian and his children and descendants in the political structure of Iran. According to the available data, families such as Naqdi, Bahar, and Tehrani are among the descendants of Alexander Mirza. This research seeks to answer the question of what connection the ancestors of the Naqdi, Bahar, and Tehrani families had with the Georgian royal family? And whether historical documents confirm the origin of these families to Alexander Mirza? In this research, which was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method, one of the main ambiguities in the family narratives of this family is the doubts about the relationship between Sohrab and Afrasiab. Some members of this family have considered Afrasiab to be the son of Sohrab, while others have introduced both of them as the children of Alexander. The findings of the research, based on various historical sources, reject the first narrative and confirm the brotherly relationship between these two figures. Additionally, considering that the Naqdi family is attributed to Sohrab Georgian and the Bahar and Tehrani families are descendants of Afrasiab Khan, it can be claimed that the roots of these three families can be traced directly to one of the sons of Erekle II, King of Georgia. This study was conducted using documentary and library sources and data.