Word: shahanshah
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Straight from Persepolis. The man who stands between the West and such an alarming prospect is one of the few remaining monarchs who is more than merely decorative. At 41, Mohammed Reza Pahlevi, Shahanshah (King of Kings) of Iran, is undisputed boss of his nation. "His Imperial Majesty is above everything," a Teheran newspaper recently explained to its readers. "Constitutionally. he can appoint or dismiss a Premier as he sees fit. He can also dissolve parliament if he so chooses. He decides on which projects his country needs, bills that should be presented for passage by the legislature...
...plates that denote an army car. Among civilian officials. the Shah depends on retainers like Eghbal. who once told the Majlis: "I am not interested in your criticism and your complaints. You may say whatever you like - I do not care. I do not depend on your votes. The Shahanshah ordered me to serve, and I am his servant...
Startling as this pronouncement sounded to Western ears, it created little stir among Iranians. For ever since the Shahanshah ousted weepy Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953, he has ruled with an unabashed if benevolent absolutism. To set an example in land reform, he distributed thousands of royal acres to the peasants, set in train such long range developments as dams, roads and irrigation, and has lavished much of the oil revenues of Iran in a buildup of the 200,000-man army...
...couple lay the ritual symbols of the Moslem wedding-a Koran resting on gold brocade, a golden mirror to symbolize brightness and joy, bowls fashioned out of crystal candy to symbolize the sweetness of marriage. But the most significant of the objects before the 40-year-old Shahanshah of Iran and his third bride, Farah Diba, 21, was the Symbol of Plenty, a ten-foot-long loaf of plain bread on which were written the words: "May Allah give you a male heir...
...arrived at the Hall of Mirrors, the Shah, resplendent in his commander in chief's uniform, had already passed through the main archway seven times, repeating, "Allah be praised." Three times the black-turbaned Imam of Teheran asked Farah the question, "Are you prepared to marry the Shahanshah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi?" Only the third time was Farah supposed to answer "Yes," lest she appear too eager. When the answer was given, the Queen Mother placed a diamond necklace around Farah's neck, and the Minister of Court brought the couple two gold rings upon a golden tray...