Shah vs. Sultan — What's the Difference?

Shah (; Persian: شاه‎, romanized: Šāh, pronounced [ʃɒːh], "king") was a title given to the emperors, kings, princes and lords of Iran (historically known as Persia in the West). It was also adopted by the kings of Shirvan (a historical Iranian region in Transcaucasia) namely the Shirvanshahs, and Khwarazmshahs.

Sultan (; Arabic: سلطان‎ sulṭān, pronounced [sʊlˈtˤɑːn, solˈtˤɑːn]) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun سلطة sulṭah, meaning "authority" or "power".

Used formerly as a title for the hereditary monarch of Iran.

A ruler of a Muslim country, especially of the former Ottoman Empire.

A king of Persia or Iran.

A powerful person

A supreme ruler in some West Asian, Central Asian or South Asian nations.

(historical) The holder of a secular office, formally subordinate to, but de facto the power behind the throne of, the caliph.

(historical) A Ukrainian monetary unit.

A hereditary ruler in various Muslim states (sultanate), varying from petty principalities (as in Yemen), often vassal of a greater ruler, to independent realms, such as Oman, Brunei, Morocco (until 1956) or an empire such as the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

A former title of the supreme ruler in certain Eastern countries, especially Persia and Iran.

A variant of solitaire, played with two decks of cards.

Title for the former hereditary monarch of Iran

A breed of chicken originating in Turkey, kept primarily in gardens for ornamental reasons. See: sultan (chicken)

A ruler, or sovereign, of a Mohammedan state; specifically, the ruler of the Turks; the Padishah, or Grand Seignior; - officially so called.

The ruler of a Muslim country (especially of the former Ottoman Empire)