Murtaza Quli Khan Shamlu

Shamlu, Murtaza Quli, Murtaza Quli Shamlu (b. 1643), son of Hasan Khan. A painter, calligrapher, and poet with nom de plume Murtaza. He was a notable member of the Shamlu tribe who was appointed to the offices of Ishikaqasibashi of the administration and Divan Biygi under the Safavid Shah Safi and was promoted to Qurchibashi under Shah ‘Abbas II. After a period of dismissal and leading a secluded life, he was appointed governor of Ardabil. He was also appointed governor of Qum under Shah Sulayman. He was a forerunner of the Shikasta Nasta’li hand and it is also reported that having made changes to the Nasta’liq, he made the Shikasta. It is reported that Mirza Shafi’a studied with him. Shamlu loved the company of poets and he also made poetical compositions. His divan runs to about 4,000 couplets.

Ahval va Asar-i Khushnivisan (2, 1278); Ahval va Asar-i Naqqashan (3, 1142-1145).