Saed News: Zubaida Khanum (born in Bijar Garrus – died 1272 SH in Tehran), known as Amina Aqdas, was one of the wives of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar and one of the favored consorts of the royal court. She was the sister of Mirza Mohammad Khan Garrusi (Mollajek I) and the aunt of Aziz al-Soltan (Mollajek II).
According to SAEDNEWS, in 1276 AH, during Naser al-Din Shah’s journey to western regions of the country, Zubaida—who was an orphan child—was purchased. Zafar Khan Baji, who was in charge of the royal harem treasury and was herself favored by the Shah, took responsibility for her upbringing. After a year of education and training in the harem, she entered a temporary marriage with Naser al-Din Shah.
Her level of trust with the Shah reached such a point that she was entrusted with the royal treasury, and for this reason she was given the title “Amina Aqdas.”
Amina Aqdas was the first Iranian woman to travel to Europe for medical treatment. From 1302 AH onward, she suffered from eye pain, which gradually led to complete blindness in both eyes after several years. By order of Naser al-Din Shah, in 1307 AH she traveled with a delegation led by the governor of Qazvin, Saad al-Saltaneh, and Dr. Mirza Hossein Kashani to Vienna, Austria, where she underwent eye surgery, which was unsuccessful. This was the first time one of the Shah’s wives traveled to Europe without him, which led to criticism of the Shah among the public and even satirical poetry about the decision.
After spending significant expenses, Zubaida Khanum returned to Iran still blind, although the Shah continued to keep his jewels in her custody and acted as if she were still healthy and beloved.
After returning from Europe, she traveled to Mashhad for treatment and stayed in Khorasan for several months, during which rumors of her recovery circulated and court officials showed exaggerated praise. However, before any real cure was found, she suffered a stroke in Dhu al-Hijjah 1308 AH, becoming paralyzed on one side of her body in addition to blindness.
On 27 Dhu al-Hijjah 1311 AH, Zubaida Khanum Amina Aqdas, still hoping for recovery of her eyesight, suffered another stroke and died the following day. Naser al-Din Shah mourned her deeply after her death.
