Who is Shazdeh from Daughter of Persia: A Woman's Journey from Her Father's Harem Through the Islamic Revolution and what is their importance?

Satti's father was the beloved Shazdeh, regarded by his 8 wives and 36 children as the wisest man on earth. He keept peace in his large family by always being fair. Each wife lived in her own house, and each except the first has an appointed day to visit Shazdeh at his larger, more luxurious home. Shazdeh was a distant cousin of the Qajar royal family and of the Shah of Iran. In a long and distinguished career he was a general at a time when all power in Iran was controlled by private armies. Because of his success as a military leader, he was appointed governor of several different provinces and even served as the country's prime minister for a few months.