Joseph von Semlin

Johann Joseph von Semlin (born Mostafa Ali Mirza Khan; 1736–1824) was the reputed son of Nader Shah. After his father's murder, a loyalist brought Ali Mirza Khan to Maria Theresa in Vienna, Austria, who named him "Johann Joseph Freiherr von Semlin".[1][2][3] In 1746, when Von Semlin was 10 years old, he was sent to Graz to learn the German language and European culture. In 1756, he converted to Christianity and two years later returned to Vienna.[4]

Joseph von Semlin
Prince of Persia
Persian Nastaliq written name of Mostafa Ali Mirza Khan son of Nader Shah, king of Iran
BornMostafa Ali Mirza Khan
1736
Isfahan, Persia
Died1824 (aged 87–88)
Mödling, Austria
SpouseRoza von Semlin
Issue
  • Yahya
  • Yusef (Joseph)
Full name
Johann Josepf von Semlin
DynastyHouse of Afshar
FatherNader Shah
ReligionChristian but previously Shiite Muslim
OccupationFreiherr

Early life

Von Semlin was born in 1736[5] in Isfahan, Persia.[6]

In 1746, at age 10, he moved to Graz and began learning German.

Military service

On completing his education at a Viennese military school, Von Semlin joined the Austrian army, rising after a few years to the rank of Commander. Von Semlin entered the service of the Russian empire and fought in the Seven Years' War as a Major. At the end of the war, he received a Medal of Honor.

Captured in war in Prussia, he was known as the Prince of Persia among his troops. Frederick the Great invited him to his palace and returned him to Maria Theresa.[7]

With two injuries received during his military service, Von Semlin retired in 1792 on a monthly pension of 810 gulden.[8]

Retirement
Von Semlin's house in District 2 of Vienna

Upon his retirement from the military, Von Semlin caught the attention of the French government. An ambassador of Napoleon requested Von Semlin to attempt to take the throne of Iran, offering him military support. Von Semlin rejected the offer, saying "Neither me nor my children think about the Peacock Throne. Even if I have any rights to become king of Iran, I cede them to Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, who supported me to this age."[9]

Death

Von Semlin died at the age of 90 in Mödling, near Vienna, and was buried in his home garden. In line with his will and testament, 5 gulden was paid to each poor person who attended his funeral.[10] He signed bills using his Persian name, Ali Mirza Khan, up to his death.

Personal life

Von Semlin married Roza, a Turkic woman, in 1792. They had two sons, Johann (Yahya) and Joseph (Yusef). After attaining the legal age, they both joined the Austrian army.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Nadeln der Kleopatra". Meyers Conversation.
  2. Meyers Konversations-Lexikon. 1865.
  3. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie (in German). 1888.
  4. Adelslexikon (2002). Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels. Germany. p. 293.
  5. Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Adelslexikon Band XIII, Band 128 der Gesamtreihe, Limburg an der Lahn 2002, S. 293
  6. „Ispahan Persien“ ist im Sterberegister der zuständigen Wiener Pfarre zu lesen. Vgl. Ahmad Saberi, Ein persischer Prinz in Wien, in: TAWAN, Magazin des Vereins Iranischer Ingenieure/innen in Österreich, Wintersemester 2002/2003, S. 8 (Digitalisat); hingegen gibt von Wurzbach, Constantin (1887). "Semlin, Johann Joseph Freiherr von". Biographisches Lexikon des Kaiserthums Oesterreich (in German). 34. Vienna: Kaiserlich-königliche Hof- und Staatsdruckerei. p. 82. als Geburtsort (resp. -region) Indien an.
  7. Franz Gräffer, Conversationsblatt. Zeitschrift für wissenschaftliche Unterhaltung, Band 1, Wien 1821, S. 186 f.
  8. „Ispahan Persien“ ist im Sterberegister der zuständigen Wiener Pfarre zu lesen. Vgl. Ahmad Saberi, Ein persischer Prinz in Wien, in: TAWAN, Magazin des Vereins Iranischer Ingenieure/innen in Österreich, Wintersemester 2002/2003, S. 8 (Digitalisat); hingegen gibt Constantin von Wurzbach: Semlin, Johann Joseph Freiherr von. In: Biographisches Lexikon des Kaiserthums Oesterreich. 34. Theil. Kaiserlich-königliche Hof- und Staatsdruckerei, Wien 1877, S. 82 (Digitalisat). als Geburtsort (resp. -region) Indien an.
  9. Francis Gerfen. Vienna: Scientific magazine. 1821. p. 186.
  10. Ahmad Saberi, Ein persischer Prinz in Wien, in: TAWAN, Magazin des Vereins Iranischer Ingenieure/innen in Österreich, Wintersemester 2002/2003, S. 8 (Digitalisat)
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