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Shah (Persian: شاه), from the Avestan word khshatra, meaning "king", is the Persian
and Sanskrit term for a monarch and
used by the former rulers of Persia (present-day Iran) as well as the rulers of the Persian Empire.
The title roughly translates as Emperor in English as the monarch of Persia was
technically the Emperor of the Persian Empire (later the Empire of Iran as Iran was officially known until 1979).
The last Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi officially adopted the title Shahanshah (Persian:
شاهنشاه) - literary King of Kings or Emperor during his coronation. He also
styled his wife Shahbanou (Persian: شهبانو) or Empress (previously the wife of the
Iranian monarch was known as Maleke (Persian: ملکه) or Queen).
The title was also used by Ottoman Turks to entitle a great hero or
Emperor. The English words check, checkmate and
chess are all derived from Shah.
See also: Iranian monarchy
Also a common last name among people from India (State of Gujarat). Usually indicates the person or previous generations were involved in business or trade. Un-related
to the above meaning of King.
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