The Shah alone has power of life and death, and, even in the most remote districts, the assent of the sovereign is necessary before an execution can take place.

The Shah appoints his own ministers.
These are the "Sadr-Azam," or Prime Minister; the "Sapar-Sala," Commander-in-chief; "Mustof-al-Mamalak," Secretary of State, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

These are supposed to represent the Privy Council, but they very seldom meet, the Shah preferring to manage affairs independently.

The total revenue of the latter has been estimated at seven million pounds sterling.
Nasr-oo-din, who is now sixty-five years of age, ascended the throne in 1848.

His reign commenced inauspiciously with a determined attempt to assassinate him, made by a gang of fanatics of the Babi sect.