Agha Mohammad Khan (ca. 1742-1797) was the founder of the Qajar dynasty that ruled Persia until 1924. The memory of this vengeful ruler is universally execrated; yet he did keep Persia intact at a time of struggle.

Following the death of Nader Shah in 1747, many tribal chiefs rose in revolt in the hope of taking over the leadership of the country. In the melee Mohammad Hoseyn Khan, the head of the Qajar tribe, was killed, and his son Mohammad, 5 years old, was castrated by order of Adel Shah, the nephew of Nader Shah. Henceforth, the boy's name was prefixed by "Agha," a title used in Persia for eunuchs. This cruel deed was perhaps one of the chief causes of the evil in Agha Mohammad's character and behavior. He became a misanthrope and hostile to everyone.

After years of warfare among the rivals for the throne of Nader Shah, Karim...