Shah of Qajar dynasty of Iran from 1843 to 1896. Naseruddin inherited the throne after the death of his father in 1848, and introduced reforms under the able guidance of his prime minister Mirza Taqi Khan. But Taqi Khan was later disgraced and murdered due to the influence of his enemies, which included the Shah's mother. Naseruddin seized Harat in 1856, but Britain forced him to return Herat to Afghanistan. Naseruddin introduced telegraph and postal services, launched Iran's first paper and opened first school giving education on western lines. Naseruddin visited Europe in 1873, 1878 and 1889, and granted concessions to foreigners for constructing railways and irrigation works. In 1890 he granted a 5 years concession to the foreigners for the purchase and sale of tobacco in the country. This led to a national boycott of tobacco. He became very unpopular in the country. Even as early as 1852 an attempt was made on his life by two babis (the sect he cruelly persecuted). He was, however, assassinated in Tehran by a member of the same sect in 1896.