Mirza

Mirza (/ˈmɜːrzə/ or /mɪəˈzɑː/) is a historical title of Persian origin, denoting the rank of a high nobleman or Prince. It is usually defined in English as a royal or imperial Prince of the Blood.

Today, Mirza is used as a name to identify patriarchal lineage to royal aristocracies of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent. Historically, it was used as a title by and signified patriarchal lineage to the imperial families of the Turkish Empire, Persia, Circassia, Shirvan, Mughals (aka Moguls) and Muslim Rajputs. It was also a title bestowed upon members of the highest aristocracies in Tatar states, such as the Khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan.

Under Catherine the Great, empress of Russia, the Mirzas gained equal rights with the Russian nobility due to their extreme wealth. In return, the Mirzas financed her Russo-Turkish war against the Ottoman Empire. Abdul Mirza was given the title Prince Yusupov, and his descendant Prince Felix Yusupov married a niece of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.

Mirza Ghiyas Beg

Mirza Ghiyas Beg (Persian: مرزا غياث بيگ‎‎) was an important Persian official in the Mughal empire, whose children served as wives, mothers, and generals of the Mughal emperors.

Biography

After the death of his Ghiyas' father, his family's fell into disgrace. Hoping to improve his family’s fortunes, Ghiyas Beg chose to relocate to India where the Emperor Akbar's court was said to be at the centre of the growing trade industry and cultural scene.

Half way along their route the family was attacked by robbers who took from them the remaining meager possessions they had. Left with only two mules, Ghiyas Beg, his pregnant wife, and their three children (Muhammad Sharif, Asaf Khan and a daughter Sahlia) were forced to take turns riding on the backs of the animals for the remained of their journey. When the family arrived in Kandahar, Asmat Begum gave birth to their second daughter. The family was so impoverished they feared they would be unable to take care of the newborn baby. Fortunately, the family was taken in by a caravan led by the merchant noble Malik Masud, who would later assist Ghiyas Beg in finding a job in the service of Emperor Akbar. Believing that the child had signaled a change in the family’s fate, she was named Mehrunnisa or ‘Sun among Women’. Ghiyas was later appointed diwan (treasurer) for the province of Kabul. Due to his astute skills at conducting business he quickly rose through the ranks of the high administrative officials. For his excellent work he was awarded the title of ‘‘Itimad-ud-Daula‘‘ (‘Pillar of the State’) by the emperor.

Asif Khan (German cricketer)

Asif Khan (born 2 March 1976 in India) is a German cricketer. Khan is a right-handed batsman who bowls right-arm off break.

Khan started his international career in 2004. In 2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Seven he played the third place play-off against Botswana in Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2, Gaborone.

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