reported throughout Tehran. He recovered but lost the use of one leg. Aqasi, however, refused to let any foreign-trained physician, especially English ones, approach Mohammad; only a French doctor named Labat was allowed to treat him. Under Labat's care, Mohammad recovered somewhat but was still so feeble he could only move with the help of two persons. Becoming infirm and debilitated, Mohammad lost the will to rule; he turned the government to Aqasi, leading to political and social turmoil. Mohammad's dire health prompted the foreign powers to reassert their pledge on the order of the succession in February 1842, and declare their support of Mohammad's eldest son Naser al-Din Mirza. Bahman Mirza, who served as regent for Naser al-Din Mirza, however, began mobilizing forces at Tabriz for a scenario in which he would pressure his nephew to become his regent in the event of Mohammad's death. Bahman Mirza had support from the Count Medem and John McNiel, the Russian and British envoys respectively, but the British withdraw their support when Shiel succeeded McNiel; and he Russians promoted Bahman Mirza as a successor to Mohammad. To counteract the Russians, in 1845, Aqasi arranged a marriage for Naser al-Din Mirza with the daughter of Ahmad Ali Mirza, a son of Fath-Ali Shah. This wedding that brought the young prince into politics. Mohammad's health slightly improved, and the realm and its succession seemed stable and secure. Rebellions, however, broke out in Khorasan, one of which Hasan Khan Salar led in support of Bahman Mirza's claim; another was led by Allah-Qoli Khan Ilkhani, a grandson of Fath-Ali Shah through his mother and a protégé of Aqasi to press his own claim. Both rebellions continued after Mohammad's death into the early years of Naser al-Din Shah. After Mohammad ceased his role in the government, Aqasi had an increased influence on him. Aqasi, now Iran's most powerful figure, was also becoming avaricious of his position and was less inclined to govern because his mind was affected by opium. Mohammad, thinking highly of Aqasi, was happy to let him govern as he liked. In mid-to-late 1848, Mohammad suffered a combination of gout and erysipelas, from which it was clear he would not recover. Mohammad Shah Qajar died at around 21:00 on 4 September 1848. He was buried in Fatima Masumeh Shrine located in Qom and his tomb was placed near the shrine's sanctuary. Policies Religion In his