Shāh

Shāh (Persian, 'king,' 'monarch,' 'prince'), the general title of the supreme ruler in Persia, Afghanistan, and other countries of southern and central Asia. The sovereign, however, may, and outside of Persia frequently does, decline the title, assuming in its place that of Khān (q.v.), an inferior and more common appellation. The same title can also be assumed by the shah's sons, and upon all the princes of the blood the cognomen Shāh-zāda ('king's son') is bestowed.—For Shahpur, see PERSIA, Vol. VIII. p. 67; for Shah Soojah, see AFGHANISTAN.