The Perilous Enchantment
Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi The Perilous Enchantment
4 The Perilous Enchantment Author: Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi (United Arab Emirates). ------------------------------------------ Publisher: Al-Qasimi Publications, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Edition: First. Year of publication: 2025. © All rights reserved. Al-Qasimi publications. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates ------------------------------------------ Translated from the Arabic by: Ahmed Ali Edited by: Elizabeth Munn ------------------------------- ISBN: 978-9948-699-23-1 Printing Permission: Media Regulatory Of ce, Ministry Of Culture and Youth No. MC 01-03- 4595284, Date: 30-06-2025 Printing: AL Bony Press- Sharjah, UAE Age Classi cation: E The age group that matches the content of the books was classi ed according to the age classi cation issued by the National Council for Media ---------------------------------------------- Al-Qasimi Publications, Al Tarfa, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed Road PO Box 64009 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Tel: 0097165090000, Fax: 0097165520070 Email: info@aqp.ae
5 Table of Contents Introduction 7 (1) Mohammad Reza Bey, Envoy of the Persian Shah to France 9 (2) Mohammad Reza Bey at the Palace of Versailles 13 (3) Mohammad Reza Bey Between Politics and Passion 17 (4) The Chest of Religious Books 23 (5) The Return of Mohammad Reza Bey and His Beloved to Persia 31 Sources and References 35
7 Introduction The Perilous Enchantment is a meticulously documented historical novel, grounded in truth, recounting the events of Mohammad Reza Bey’s mission to France. This narrative begins where The Audacious bold tale of Marie Claude Petit left off—a story that ended in failure, as it could not secure France’s aid in countering the growing influence of the Omanis in the Arabian Gulf. After repeated unsuccessful attempts by
8 the Persians to obtain naval support from the English or the Dutch to resist the resurgent Omani activities on a broader scale, they were compelled to seek such assistance from France once more. Consequently, the Persian government resolved to dispatch an envoy to the French court. The Author
9 (1) Mohammad Reza Bey Envoy of the Persian Shah to France The Shah resolved to send a bold response to King Louis XIV and the Pope through Abbé Jean Richard. As Abbé Jean Richard was preparing to return to France in May 1713, Shah Sultan Hussein entrusted him with gifts intended for Louis XIV, instructing him to deliver them to Mohammad Khan, the governor of Yerevan, upon his arrival there. Simultaneously, the
10 Shah issued orders to Mohammad Khan to select a suitable envoy to France. Upon receiving these instructions, Mohammad Khan chose the local cavalry commander, who declined the mission. Consequently, he turned to Mohammad Reza Bey, the mayor of Yerevan and the third most prominent figure in the region, to undertake the task. Despite knowing the journey to France would be long and potentially perilous, Mohammad Reza Bey accepted. The newly appointed ambassador departed Yerevan in secret in March 1714. Mohammad Reza Bey sent the gifts destined for Louis XIV ahead, carefully concealing them among stacks of silk. This precaution stemmed from his fear that
11 openly declaring his destination might bar him from entering Turkey, as the difficulties faced by Jean-Baptiste Fabre(*) and other envoys on Turkish soil lingered in memory. There is no need to recount Mohammad Reza Bey’s adventures in Turkey in great detail. Suffice it to say that, despite his utmost caution, the Turks grew suspicious of him time and again. Eventually, they arrested and imprisoned him. He secured his release by claiming to be a mere pilgrim en route to Mecca. The Turkish authorities, accepting his story, placed him aboard a ship bound for the pilgrimage. Mohammad Reza Bey managed to escape (*) See al-Qasimi, Sultan bin Muhammad. (2022). The Audicious. Sharjah, al-Qasimi Publications.
12 and boarded a French vessel departing from Alexandretta in Turkey. His journey across Turkey took nearly six months. He arrived in Marseille on October 23, 1714, where he spent two months. His extended travels to Paris, marked by his peculiar whims and sudden outbursts of temper, caused considerable hardship for those unfortunate individuals tasked with meeting and escorting him to the French capital. After requesting and receiving the exceptional honor of entering the major cities he passed through, Mohammad Reza Bey arrived in Paris on February 7, 1715. His entry into the city sparked immense curiosity among the public.
13 (2) Mohammad Reza Bey At the Palace of Versailles Upon the arrival of Mohammad Reza Bey’s procession in Paris, it proceeded to the Ambassadors’ Hotel, where the envoy was to reside. His stay there lasted no more than ten days before the date was set for King Louis XIV to receive Mohammad Reza Bey, on February 19, 1715. King Louis XIV formally welcomed the Persian ambassador, Mohammad Reza
14 Bey, at the Palace of Versailles. The aging monarch expressed his appreciation for the Shah’s gesture in sending Mohammad Reza Bey by appearing on his throne in the Grand Hall of Versailles for the first time in fortyseven years. The ambassador, somewhat awestruck by the majestic scene, paid his respects to the king and presented his letter of credence. Subsequently, the chest containing the Shah’s gifts was placed before Louis XIV and opened. The modest nature and relatively meager value of these gifts elicited a sense of disappointment. However, the Shah’s letter to Louis XIV, another from the governor of Yerevan to the Marquis de Torcy, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with Abbé Jean Richard’s testimony, were sufficient to convince the
15 king and his ministers of the authenticity of Mohammad Reza Bey’s mission. Nevertheless, the French authorities questioned Marie Petit about the envoy’s background. She informed them that she had met Mohammad Reza Bey in Yerevan, where he indeed served as the kalandar (mayor) of the town. The French court believed that negotiations with Mohammad Reza Bey would not take long. Immediately following the audience on February 19, 1715, Louis XIV appointed the Marquis de Torcy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pontchartrain, Minister of the Navy, and Nicolas Desmarets, Controller-General of Finances, to negotiate on his behalf with Mohammad Reza Bey.
16 The selection of three such high-ranking figures was significant for two reasons: first, it clearly indicated the importance the king attached to the forthcoming negotiations; second, all three ministers were convinced of the need to secure overseas trade outlets for France, preferably at the expense of rival or hostile nations.
17 (3) Mohammad Reza Bey Between Politics and Passion At the Ambassadors’ Hotel, where Mohammad Reza Bey resided, in May 1715, Madame de Roussy and her daughter, Mademoiselle d’Epinay, were dining with the interpreters of the Palace of Versailles: Messieurs Padéry, Gudru, and Richard. During this time, Mohammad Reza Bey approached their table and was seated next to Padéry, directly across from Mademoiselle d’Epinay.
18 From the moment his eyes fell upon Mademoiselle d’Epinay, they never left her beautiful face and graceful figure. Mohammad Reza Bey spoke as if addressing her directly, and when Padéry translated, the ambassador remained captivated, his gaze fixed on Mademoiselle d’Epinay. He excused himself from the group, explaining that his meals, which he claimed were halal, were delivered to his room from an outside restaurant. Mohammad Reza Bey asked Padéry to join him at another table, where he inquired about the beautiful young woman. Padéry informed him that she was Mademoiselle d’Epinay, the seventeen-year-old daughter of Madame de Roussy. She was strikingly beautiful, raised in refined Parisian society, accustomed to its pleasures, a devout
19 Christian, and known for her modesty, neither frivolous nor wayward. Padéry added that the king was pressing the French ministers to conclude negotiations swiftly and secure Mohammad Reza Bey’s signature on the agreement. Mohammad Reza Bey responded, “How can I sign an agreement written in French? The document must be translated into Persian for me to understand its contents.” While Padéry set about translating the agreement, Mohammad Reza Bey arranged a meeting with Mademoiselle d’Epinay. He learned a few French phrases to invite Madame de Roussy and her daughter to his room that evening. Mohammad Reza Bey had his meals delivered to his quarters, and gradually, he won over the young beauty,
20 succeeding in keeping her with him through the evening until midnight or two in the morning. During the day, Mademoiselle d’Epinay and her mother, Madame de Roussy, placed their shoes at the edge of his carpet of contentment and sat on cushions at the back of his room, in the manner of a Persian harem. Far from feeling ashamed, they performed for all who came to visit the Persian guest, men and women alike. By eight in the evening, the apartment was closed, leaving only the mother, daughter, and Mohammad Reza Bey inside. Negotiations continued for two months, with Mohammad Reza Bey objecting to every clause in the agreement, prolonging the affair with Mademoiselle d’Epinay. The true purpose of his mission—an
21 alliance against Muscat—was never openly mentioned. However, according to Padéry, a staunch supporter of the Muscat project, it was verbally agreed that a French naval commander named Geraldin would travel to Isfahan as an ambassador. His role was not only to secure the Shah’s approval of the new agreement but also to carefully study the country and make arrangements for implementing the Muscat project, ensuring it would be executed properly if initiated. It was further agreed that Padéry would accompany Mohammad Reza Bey to Persia first to prepare for Geraldin’s mission. On August 13, 1715, the treaty was signed at the Palace of Versailles. After the signing, Mohammad Reza Bey bid farewell to King Louis XIV.
22 On August 22, 1715, the king issued orders permitting the ambassador’s departure and instructing governors, deputies, and other officials to honor Mohammad Reza Bey according to official protocol, providing and covering the costs of all transport from Paris to the port of Le Havre in northern France.
23 (4) The Chest of Religious Books On August 30, 1715, Mohammad Reza Bey departed Paris, traveling by boat towards the port of Le Havre. Three boats were prepared: one for the ambassador, another for his entourage, and a third for the luggage, including a chest of religious books. On the morning of August 31, 1715, Madame de Roussy arrived at the residence of Monsieur Padéry, interpreter to King
24 Louis XIV, and recounted what had transpired with her daughter, Mademoiselle d’Epinay, the previous night. Padéry promptly wrote a letter to the king, which read: Paris, August 31, 1715 “Sir, This morning, Madame de Roussy came to me in a pitiable state, informing me (after writing to me yesterday) that the Persian ambassador had abducted her daughter, who left their home under cover of darkness without taking any clothing. She tried to convince me that her daughter, a pious young woman of high morals, would never give herself to a Muslim. However, the ambassador had declared himself a Christian to marry her, and she
25 had arranged for his secret baptism with the aid of an Armenian priest. Nevertheless, the mother assured me she would not follow them and believed her daughter would prefer to retire to a convent rather than submit to the conduct of this stranger, known for his violence and ill temper. Thus, based on this report, which I have the honor to submit, I believe Your Majesty will find it appropriate to instruct Monsieur Roujault, the Inspector General in Rouen, to detain both the daughter and the mother there, if they can be apprehended. With Utmost Respect, Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant.” King Louis XIV issued orders to Padéry
26 to apprehend Mademoiselle d’Epinay and escort her to a suitable and secure location until further instructions were received. By August 30, Mohammad Reza Bey had already begun his journey, arriving in Rouen on the evening of September 2. He stayed in the city, keeping the chest of religious books at his residence, surrounded by ministers who had come to bid him farewell. However, the agents sent by the French government to apprehend Mademoiselle d’Epinay did not reach Rouen, as their orders were delayed amid the chaos following the death of King Louis XIV. The ministers and French officials who had accompanied Mohammad Reza Bey in Rouen returned to Paris, preoccupied with the profound loss of the French monarch,
27 leaving Mohammad Reza Bey to enjoy reading his devotional books. While engrossed in his religious texts and conversing with the French officials accompanying him, Mohammad Reza Bey received word to proceed to Le Havre. The captain of the ship destined for Petersburg was eager to set sail quickly due to the approaching season, when storms would make time precious. From the city of Rouen, the group boarded the royal frigate Astree, bound for Petersburg without stopping at Le Havre, on September 12, 1715. Mohammad Reza Bey placed the chest of religious books in his designated cabin on the ship. At sea, a storm struck the Astree, causing Mohammad Reza Bey to fall on the deck,
28 his turban rolling away. As sailors rushed to assist him, a cry for help echoed from the Persian ambassador’s cabin. They hurried to the scene and found the chest of religious books belonging to Mohammad Reza Bey overturned, with its top facing downward, and moans emanating from within. The sailors carried the chest out of the cabin. As they attempted to open it, Mohammad Reza Bey rushed to stop them, but the sailors prevailed. To their astonishment, inside was Mademoiselle d’Epinay, Mohammad Reza Bey’s beloved. The news reached Monsieur Padéry, the king’s interpreter, who had been appointed consul in Shiraz and tasked with apprehending Mademoiselle d’Epinay.
29 The French officials and everyone aboard stared at the chest as Padéry’s voice rang out, addressing Mohammad Reza Bey: “This is where we part ways. I will not accompany you on this journey.” Mohammad Reza Bey had prepared the chest in Chaillot, fitted with breathing holes, a mattress, and a pillow. With the assistance of the chief of protocol and four Persian attendants, he had placed Mademoiselle d’Epinay inside and locked it. After the frigate reached Copenhagen, the group dispersed, and Mohammad Reza Bey, along with his beloved, continued their journey back to Persia.
31 (5) The Return of Mohammad Reza Bey and His Beloved to Persia After a twenty-one-month journey filled with adventures and events, Mohammad Reza Bey arrived in Isfahan in May 1717. Upon setting foot on his homeland’s soil once more, he discovered that his former master, Mohammad Khan, had been dismissed from his post as governor of Yerevan, replaced by a nephew of Fath Ali Khan Daghestani, Etemad al-Dowleh.
32 The ambassador realized it would be difficult, if not impossible, to justify his prolonged delays. He also understood that he had far exceeded his authority in negotiating the treaty with France. Fearing the consequences, he dared not travel to Isfahan and instead returned to his hometown of Yerevan, arriving by the end of May 1717. Adding to his troubles, Mohammad Reza Bey had been forced to sell several of the gifts, sent by King Louis XIV to the Shah, to cover his travel expenses. These matters tormented him to such an extent that, three weeks after arriving in Yerevan, he poisoned himself, preempting the inevitable fate that awaited him had he gone to the capital.
33 As for Mademoiselle d’Epinay, she converted to Islam after Mohammad Reza Bey’s suicide. It is said she married his brother and fulfilled one of the late ambassador’s duties by delivering the remaining gifts entrusted to him in Paris to the Persian court.
35 Sources and References 1. Archives Etrangeres (AE), The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in France. • AE 37MD, Volume 6 Perse, Fol. 19-21 • AE 37MD, Volume 6 Perse, Fol. 22-28 • AE 37MD, Volume 6 Perse, Fol. 29-32 • AE 37MD, Volume 6 Perse, Fol. 33 • AE 37MD, Volume 6 Perse, Fol. 55-56 • AE, CP HAMBOURG, Volume 38, Fol. 113 • AE, CP HAMBOURG, Volume 38, Fol. 125v • AE, CP HAMBOURG, Volume 38, Fol. 137-138 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 3, Fol. 12-13
36 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 30-32 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 298 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 299 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 300 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 301 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 329 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 302-303 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 312 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 313 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 314 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 315 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 316 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 4, Fol. 317 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 5, Fol. 138-139 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 5, Fol. 144-146 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 5, Fol. 174-177 • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 5, Fol. 295v-296v • AE, 101 CP HAMBOURG, Volume 5, Fol. 324
37 2. National Archives of France (MARINE) • MAR/B/1/1, Fol. 98 • MAR/B/3/228, Fol. 38 • MAR/B/3/229, Fol. 20, 22 • MAR/B/3/229, Fol. 415, 417, 420, 423, 424, 426, 431, 433, 436, 437, 447 • MAR/B/3/229, Fol. 425, Le Havre, Mr de Champigny, 7 September 1715 • MAR/B/3/229, Fol. 426, Le Havre, Mr de Champigny, 7 September 1715 • MAR/B/3/229, Fol. 436, Le Havre, Mr de Champigny, 11 September 1715 • MAR/B/3/229, Fol. 437, Le Havre, Mr de Champigny, 11 September 1715 • MAR/B/2/242, Fol. 229 • MAR/B/2/242, Fol. 263-264 • MAR/B/2/242, Fol. 265 • MAR/B/2/242, Fol. 266 • MAR/B/2/242, Fol. 267 • MAR/B/2/242, Fol. 295-296
38 • MAR/B/2/242, Fol. 2rv • MAR/B/2/242, Fol. 2v-3-4r 3. Maurice Herbette - Une ambassadrice persane sous Louis XIV, Paris, Perrin, 1907. 4. Laurence Lockhart, The Fall of The Safavi Dynasty and The Afghan Occupation of Persia, Cambridge university Press, Cambridge, UK, 1958.
sheikhdrsultan.aeRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy