Shahnshah was born in 1197, he was the son of
Zakare II Zakarian. When his father died he was raised by his uncle
Atabeg Ivane I Zakarian, who converted him to the
Chalcedonian faith. His baptismal name was
Sargis, then
Ani's title Shahnshah (
Shahanshah) became his name (both Ani and this title were inherited from his father). Shahnshah Zakarian, while Governor of Ani, was active in the construction of monasteries and church. The
Church of Saint Elia, Kizkale in
Ani, was dedicated in his name 1212-1213. The church of
St Gregory of Tigran Honents was dedicated by an Armenian merchant under his rule, in 1215.
William of Rubruck, envoy extraordinary of King
Louis IX of France to the
Khan of
Mongol Empire, stayed in 1255 with Shahnshah on one of his Armenian estates. Rubroek characterizes Shahnshah as a great feudal lord and owner of 15 cities. During
Mongol invasion of Georgia in 1238-39 Queen
Rusudan had to evacuate
Tbilisi for
Kutaisi, leaving eastern Georgia in the hands of
atabeg Avag Zakarian, Shahnshah Zakarian, and Kakhetian lord, Egarslan Bakurtsikheli. The Mongol general Toghta was sent by
Chaghatai to assault Avag's troops at the fortress of
Kayan. After some resistance, Avag surrendered, and has to agree to pay tribute to the Mongols, and to provide let his troops join the Mongol army. . In 1259-1260, Shahnshah Zakarian participated to the Mongold-led
Siege of Mayyafariqin, together with the Armenian Prince
Prosh Khaghbakian. In 1261,
Zakare, the eldest son of Shahnshah, was executed by the
Mongols, while Shahnshah was freed for a ransom. He died later that year, overcome with grief from the execution of his son, and was buried in the
Kobayr Monastery. He built the belltower and the mausoleum in the center of the monastery at
Kobayr Monastery. File:Kobayr_Monastery_09.jpg|The belltower of
Kobayr Monastery, where the tomb of Shahnshah Zakarian is located. File:Shahnshah's Queen, Shahnshah and kindred in military uniform as donators, Kobayr Monastery Chapel-Aisle.jpg|Probable mural of Shahnshah Zakarian (middle) and his wife Vaneni (left) as donators, with a kindred in military uniform (right),
Kobayr monastery Chapel, or "Aisle". == Family ==