Royal Decrees in Ghajarid Era

Writing, endorsing, and implementing government decrees (=Farmaan) had a lengthy procedure in Ghajarid bureaucracy. Government officials were responsible for carrying out the procedure. This paper examines roles of different officials in the process of issuing decrees. Methods/Research approach: Analysis is based on first-hand archival records. Many officials had a role in the process of issuing decrees. The Shah ordered the decree to be issued. State Secretary (=Monshi ol-Mamaalek) and his subordinates, including Secretary (=Monshi), Scriber (=Moharrer), and the Illuminator (=Mozahheb) prepared the body of the decree. Grand Vizir (= Sadr Azam) endorsed the text. Mostowfi al-Mamaalek and Lashkar Nevis, two other senior officials, also endorsed the decree. A copy of the decree was transcribed in the Book of Eternity (Daftar -e Kholood).