Bahrām Mīrzā (923-56/1517-49), the youngest of the four sons of Shāh Ismāʿīl (r. 907-30/1501-24), the founder of the Ṣafavid dynasty, rose to considerable status and prestige during the reign of his brother, Shāh Ṭahmāsp (r. 930-84/1524-76). Bahrām first came to prominence at the age of thirteen when, in 937/1530, he was named governor ( vālī ) of Herat, under the tutelage of Ghāzī Khān Takallū (d. 950/1543). Bahrām's tenure as governor was difficult, as it coincided with the rise of