page_title: Bunnag family
section_title: Sheikh Ahmad
hierarchical_section_title: Bunnag family / History / Sheikh Ahmad
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo of the tomb of Sheikh Ahmad of Qom (Ahmad Qomi) in Ayuthayya. From Wikivoyage: This tomb has alternating Thai and Arabic calligraphy just below its dome, and is a place of worship among Thai Buddhists and Muslims.فارسی: مقبرهٔ شیخ احمد در آیوتایا.
context_page_description: The House of Bunnag was a powerful Siamese noble family of Mon-Persian descent of the early Rattanakosin Kingdom of Siam. By the nineteenth century, its power and influence reached its zenith. The family was favored by Chakri monarchs and monopolized high-ranking titles. Three of the four Somdet Chao Phraya came from the Bunnag family — Dis, styled Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Prayurawongse; his younger brother Tat, styled Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Pichaiyat; the eldest son Chuang, styled Somdet Chao Phraya Borom Si Suriyawongse. They played key roles in government and foreign relations until after the Front Palace crisis. As Chulalongkorn sought to undo the power of nobility and pursue centralization, the Bunnags gradually withdrew from prominent roles in Siamese politics but continued to fill important official ranks.
context_section_description: Sheikh Ahmad, a Persian merchant, along with his brother Muhamad Sa-id and subordinates, settled in Siam around 1600. Sheikh Ahmad was a native of Qom in Safavid Iran, south of Tehran. He established himself as a rich merchant in Ayutthaya. There he entered the service of King Songtham (1611–1628) who appointed him as Chao Kromma Tha Khwa (เจ้ากรมท่าขวา; Lord of the Right Pier) to supervise traders from the West, i.e. Persians, Indians and Europeans. He was also appointed Chularatchamontri (จุฬาราชมนตรี; Minister of Islamic affairs) to oversee all Shiites in Siam.
  After subjugating a Japanese revolt under Yamada Nagamasa, Sheikh Ahmad became Samuha Nayok (First Prime Minister). Descendants of Sheikh Ahmad exerted control over Siamese politics, trade and foreign affairs. Many of them became Samuha Nayok. They also monopolized the post of Chularachamontri. All of them converted to Buddhism.
caption: Tomb of Sheikh Ahmed of Qom, in Ayutthaya.
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