Following the death of Feruz Khan, his eldest son Said Abdullah should have been made heir. However Said, already a hardened opium addict, declined the position which was then given to his younger brother Isfandir. The new Khan played a largely ceremonial role. The development of Khiva was left to Isfandir's father-in-law, the Vizier Islam Hoja, who had also been the Vizier during the reign of Feruz. Isfandir Khan was left to his two main pursuits in life which were women and opiates.

Isfandir with one of his sons

However, Isfandir Khan's sexual behaviour eventually led to a clash with his father-in-law, Islam Hoja. The Khan began to plot the assassination of Islam Hoja. You can read more under 'The Vizier with a Vision' within the Islam Hoja chapter of the Tour.
Without the modernising influence of his Vizier, Isfandir soon lost popularity with the young and zealous nationalists who were calling for democracy. Nor was Isfandir particularly popular with the conservatives, who were being wooed by Junaid, a Turkoman warrior who was more conservative than the Khan and wanted to reestablish full Sharia (Islamic) law.
In a bid to retain his throne, Isfandir decided to throw his lot in with Junaid and began negotiations with him. Junaid agreed to be the Khan's general, but had his own treacherous motives to serve under the Khan. It was not long before the opportunity came and Junaid was able to assassinate Isfandir.

The Vizier Islam Hoja

Isfandir had planned to be entombed with his mother and sister in the Pakhlavan Mahmoud complex. However, no-one, not even a Khan, who had died outside the city walls could be buried inside the city. As a result, the Khan was entombed in the Said Magrumjan complex, near to the tomb of his father-in-law, Islam Hoja, the man he had assassinated.