Who was Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III?
Q: Who was Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III?
A: Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III was the 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He became Imam at a very young age and was seven years old when his father died in 1885.
Q: Where was he born?
A: He was born in Karachi, which at that time was part of British India.
Q: What kind of education did he receive?
A: He received both a religious education as well as a European education. He attended Eton and Cambridge University, and frequently visited Britain.
Q: How were his anniversaries celebrated by his followers?
A: His followers celebrated his anniversaries as Imam in 1937, 1946 and 1954 by weighing him in gold, diamonds and platinum. The proceeds were spent on welfare and development in Asia and Africa. Girls schools were set up in the remote northern areas of what is now Pakistan.
Q: Was he knighted?
A: Yes, he was knighted by Queen Victoria and later made a member of the Privy Council.
Q: What organization did he help found?
A: He helped found the All-India Muslim League and served as President of the League of Nations from 1937-38.
