Aga Khan III

November 2, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Aga Khan III was born on November 2, 1877. Aga Khan is a title held by imams of the Nazari Ismaili sect of Islam that was first granted in 1818. He served as the 48th Imam of Shi’a Islam, from 1877 to 1957. He is known for founding the All-India Muslim League and allowing Muslims to express their opinions to the British. He also attempted to create fair relationships between Hindus and Muslims despite the ongoing conflict between the religions. Today, we commemorate his birthday.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan III

Birth date:

November 2, 1877

Death date:

July 11, 1957 (age 79)

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

5' 7"

Net Worth:

$5 million

Background

Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan III, was born on November 2, 1877, in Karachi, Bombay Presidency, British India. He succeeded as an imam after his father Aga Ali Shah, Aga Khan II, died in 1885. Aga Khan III was only seven at the time. His mother was his father’s third wife and the granddaughter of Fath Ali Shah of Persia. His upbringing and religious education were supervised by his mother. He graduated from Eton College and later attended the University of Cambridge. He traveled to many different parts of the world to meet with his followers and settle differences. He also gave guidance to his followers and helped them financially.

He received the Knight Commander of the Indian Empire distinction in 1897 from Queen Victoria and was later promoted to Knight Grand Commander in 1902. In 1906, he became the founding member and the first president of the All-India Muslim League. This political party aimed to create an independent Muslim nation in India. This nation, now called Pakistan, was established in 1947.

He died in 1957 in Switzerland at 79 years of age. He married a total of four times and had three children. The Aga Khan can choose who to bestow the title on, and Aga Khan III stipulated in his will that the title will go to his grandson, Shah Karim al-Husayni (Aga Khan IV). He made this choice as he felt his grandson would have a better grasp on the quickly changing and progressing modern world.

Career timeline

1885

Taking on the Imamate

Aga Khan III succeeds his father as the Imam.

1897

K.C.I.E.

He is awarded the distinction of a Knight Commander of the Indian Empire by Queen Victoria.

1906

All-India Muslim League

He becomes the first president of the All-India Muslim League.

1943

The League of Nations

He serves as a member of the League of Nations.

Why We Love Aga Khan III

He met with his followers
Aga Khan III met his followers and gave them personal advice and guidance. He also helped them financially.
He was practical
He realized the world was changing and science was progressing. Because of this, he chose to give the title of Aga Khan to his grandson who would grow up in that world and would have a better grasp of it.
He helped create Pakistan
He helped create Pakistan. This aided in the conflict between Hindus and Muslims since it allowed Muslim Indians to have their own country, with laws that aligned with their faith.

5 Surprising Facts

He was considered royalty
Ismaili Imams are recognized by the British government as royals, as they are related to an 18th-century Persian King.
He advocated for education
He believed Muslims should prioritize education, and he advocated for free primary education and improved secondary education.
He established 200 schools
He established about 200 schools in Africa and Asia.
He was a published author
He wrote “India in Transition,” in which he discussed the political situation in India, and also wrote “The Memoirs of Aga Khan: World Enough and Time,” an autobiography about his childhood.
He loved horse racing
He owned 16 winning horses in the British Classic Races.