Sonbol Baji
Sonbol Baji, or Fatemeh Khanum, was one of the consorts of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, the second Shah of Qajar Iran,. She was a daughter of some elites of Kerman. In 1793, during the conquest of Kerman, she was seven years old when Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar took her captive and engaged her to Fath-Ali Shah Qajar.She was a high-ranking lady from the distinguished families of Rābar in Kerman and was considered one of the most influential wives of Fath-Ali Shah
In 1794, she arrived in Tehran. She married Fath-Ali Shah Qajar during the period when he was the crown prince.
In the year 1171, by the order of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, Fath-Ali Khan marched on Kerman, then advanced to Sirjan, and from there attacked Baft. He fought for a month to capture the fortress of Rābar, until the stronghold finally fell into his hands.After Fath-Ali Khan Qajar captured the fortress of Rābar in Shawwal 1207 by order of his uncle, [Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar|Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar dynasty|Qajar,] he chose Fatemeh, the seven-year-old daughter of Asgar the shoemaker, as his wife. Owing to her young age, she was entrusted to the women of the royal harem, and four years later, in Muharram 1212, she entered into a temporary marriage with Fath-Ali Khan.She proved so pleasing and agreeable to the Shah that within a short time she rose to the highest ranks of ladyship and courtly status. Thereafter, she held an exceptional position among the royal ladies; Fath-Ali Shah referred to her as the “Khanom-e Motlaq” and listened attentively to her counsel on arranging the affairs of the princes — both daughters and sons — as well as matters concerning wives and close relatives, accepting her views with care.It was during this same period that news of the Qajar Shah’s assassination in the fortress of Shushi reached the Crown Prince, and the coincidence of these two events further increased Fatemeh Khanom’s popularity.She was so devoted in her service to the Shah that even ambassadors and high-ranking dignitaries regarded caring for and attending to the Shah as her particular duty.
Sonbol Baji, because of her courtesy and kind nature, was well liked among the people of Fath-Ali Shah’s harem, and the Shah and the princes respectfully addressed her as “Khanom.”After the birth of her first son, who from childhood was granted the title Shuja’ al-Saltaneh by the Shah, she became one of the most powerful women at court. Owing to her popularity among the people and her remarkable presence, she soon assumed the role of intermediary between the Shah and his subjects, demonstrating her skill in managing the affairs of the state and rising to a position among the key administrators of the realm.
She was involved not only in the affairs of the Shah’s harem but also took a direct role in the internal administration of the country and in political matters.Sonbol Baji acted as an intermediary for delivering the people’s petitions to the Shah, and Fath-Ali Shah took her advice regarding the princes and the members of the harem. She sat beside the Shah during meals and was responsible for serving food to his wives and other royal family members at the table. Anyone who reached for another’s portion without permission would face her reprimand, and on several occasions, she even struck them with a serving spatula. Abdullah Mirza Dara referred to her as “Hamira.”
It is related that she even conveyed to the Shah the petitions of the people of the city of Khamseh, which was under the rule of her son, Fath-Allah Mirza Shoaʿ al-Saltaneh. She is said to have believed: “I do not wish anyone to be wronged and then complain to the World‑Protecting Shah. Even if my own son were the source of injustice, he must be removed from office.”After the death of her husband, Fatemeh Khanom Sonbol Baji was among the women who remained in the harem of Mohammad Shah.Sonbol Baji’s brother, Ali Akbar Khan Rābari, was given the title “Khalu” at the court of Fath-Ali Shah.Fath-Ali Shah had granted her lands from the royal estates of Rābar, and even today, the clan in Rābar bearing the Kālūi family name are her descendants. One of Sonbol Baji’s relatives, also named Fatemeh, was likewise among Fath-Ali Shah’s wives. Her daughter by the Shah, Sarv Jahan Khanom, later married Agha Khan I.
She was very popular among the public because of her way of forwarding petitions from supplicants to the monarch.
Her close relatives also gained important governmental positions and offices thanks to her influence and favor.