Mirza (name)
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| Emperor : Shah, Samraat | |
| High King : Maharaja | |
| King : Raja, Sultan | |
| Noble Prince : Mirza, Sahibzada | |
| Nobleman: Thakur, Sardar, Nawab | |
Mirza (Persian: میرزا Russian: мурза Circassian :мырзэ), (common variance in Tatar nobility as Morza) is of Persian origin, denoting the rank of a high nobleman or Prince[1]. It is usually translated into English as a royal or imperial Prince of the Blood. It signified male-line descent and relationship to the Imperial Families of India, Turkey and Persia and was the title borne by members of the highest aristocracies in Tatar states, such as Khanate of Kazan, Khanate of Astrakhan and in the Russian Empire (Under Catherine the Great's rule the Murza’s gained equal rights with the Russian nobility)[2]. In fact, Prince Felix Yusupov, the nephew-in-law of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia was descended from Abdul Mirza, the first Prince Yusopov[3].
The word Mīrzā is derived from the Persian term ‘Amīrzāde which literally means "child of the ‘Amīr" or "child of the ruler" in Persia. ‘Amīrzād in turn consists of the Arabic title ‘Amīr (engl. Emir), meaning "commander", and the Persian suffix -zād, meaning "birth" or "lineage". Due to vowel harmony in Turkic languages, the alternative pronunciation Morza (plural morzalar; derived from the Persian word)[4].
History
The titles themselves were given by the Kings, Sultans and Emperors (equivalent to the western Fount of honour) to their sons and grandsons, or even distant kins. Noblemen loyal to the kings also received this Title, although their usage differed. Aristocratic families (royal descent) from South Asia and individuals descended from the Persian nobility have the surname Mirza.[5]
The title itself came from the title emir. Emir, meaning "commander", -derived from the Semitic root Amr, "command". Originally simply meaning commander or leader, usually in reference to a group of people. It came to be used as a title of governors or rulers, usually in smaller states, and usually renders the English word "prince. Amir Sadri." The word entered English in 1595, from the French émir. [6]
Persian Kingdom
In Persia, Mirza is the only hereditary title. This species of nobility is traced very far, and is not creative. The title descends to all the sons of the family, without exception. In Persian Royal families, if Mirza comes before a name, the individual is of the nobility or of high rank, such as Mirza Taghi Khan Amir-Nezam and Mirza Abolghasem Ghaem Magham Farahani, the Prime Ministers of Persia, but if the title follows the name, the individual is of royal birth and of imperial rank, thus, Prince Abbas Mirza, crown prince of Persia and another Prince of Persia, the Prince Abdol Hossein Mirza[7]
Royal Princes of Persia (Shah-e-Mirzas) include:
Indian EmpireMirza was given to imperial prince; a title or part of a name implying relationship to the Mughal dynasty (the Imperial House of Timur)[8]. But in Indian royal families, the title can be placed both before the name and after it, such as Prince Mirza Mughal and Prince Kamran Mirza of the Imperial family of India. Prince Khusrau Mirza was the grandson of Emperor Babur (Babur Mirza), son of Emperor Jahangir and a brother of Emperor Shah Jahan. Emperor Akbar Shah II was Prince Mirza Akbar before his coronation. Emperor Babur took the imperial title of Padishah on 6 March 1508, before which he used the title Mirza[9]. In the Indian subcontinent, especially Bengal and Bihar, the Mirzas are also known locally as the variant of Mridha (from Mirdhjah) usually due to the Bengali language not have a 'z' sounding alphabet[10]. Rulers of India included: The Imperial Family of Hindustan
Notable Mirzas
See alsoFurther Study
References
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