
Agha Ali Asker was born circa 1809 in Shiraz, Iran, his father was Haji Abdullah, and his paternal grandfather was Haji Murad who had settled in Shiraz, their ancestors were from Azerbaijan and Haji Murad's grandfather Agha Allahverdi had settled in Tabrez, Iran, and were called Tebrezi Turks however they preferred to be known as Azaari as the family were originally from Azerbaijan. Once Haji Murad moved his family from Tabrez to Shiraz,the family were known as the Muradi family and lived in a large house with covered gates that were very tall as the men in the family would ride in and out of the gates on horseback ! The house was in the Koocha e Shamsheergaran or the Street of the Swordsmiths and was opposite the Masjid e Nau or the New Mosque.
Agha Ali Asker and his two older brothers Haji Mohammed Hashim circa 1805 and Agha Mashadi Qasim circa 1807, travelled to India around 1825 or so, Haji Mohammed Hashim returned to Shiraz, as did Agha Mashadi Qasim.. Agha Mashadi Qasim then travelled back to India and drowned c 1843 whilst swimming in the Cauvery River at Seringapatam. Agha Ali Asker had two younger sisters, who remained in Shiraz and married there. One of Agha Ali Asker's daughters Bibi Joon Joon, married her cousin Haji Mohammed Ali Shirazi, who was the son of Aga Ali Asker's sister and Mulla Abbas Shirazi. Another of Agha Ali Asker's daughters Bibi Morvareed, married Agha Mohammed Taqi, who was the youngest son of Agha Ali Asker's brother Haji Mohammed Hashem. I am a descendant of Agha Ali Asker (though his daughter Bibi Morvareed ) and whilst we have a substantial account of his life after he arrived in India, not much is known about his life and relations in Iran. Any information on Agha Ali Asker and his family in Iran would be greatly appreciated.