SAEDNEWS: This photo reveals a 170-year-old secret: Iran’s first selfie, taken by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, shows the king with women of the harem in Golestan Palace’s Mirror Hall. A private, forbidden moment frozen in time.
According to the History and Culture Service of Saed News, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (July 17, 1831 – May 1, 1896) was the fourth king of Iran from the Qajar dynasty. He was the son of Mohammad Shah, the third Qajar king. He reigned from 1848 to 1896, nearly 50 years, making his reign the longest among all Qajar kings. In honor of his half-century rule over Iran, he called himself “Sahebgharan” (Lord of the Age).
The image you see in this article belongs to the Qajar era. Although more than a century has passed since it was captured, it can be viewed repeatedly, revealing new details each time—ranging from clothing and facial features to every other aspect that has changed over this century-plus.
This image is one of the oldest selfies in Iran, taken by Naser al-Din Shah in front of a large mirror with himself and a group of women from his harem. The king wrote in his own handwriting on the photo’s margin: “The photo was taken in the Hall of Mirrors, reflected in the mirror.”
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