# Aga Khan III

> 48th Imam of the Nizari Ismaili community (1877-1957)

**Wikidata**: [Q366213](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q366213)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aga_Khan_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aga-khan-iii

## Summary
Aga Khan III was the 48th Imam of the Nizari Ismaili community, serving from 1877 until his death in 1957. Born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, he led the Ismaili community through significant political and social changes, including the partition of India, while modernizing their institutions and advocating for education and women’s rights. A British Indian subject, he later held Pakistani citizenship and was recognized for his diplomatic and philanthropic efforts.

## Biography
- **Born**: 2 November 1877  
- **Nationality**: British Raj, India, Pakistan  
- **Education**: University of Cambridge  
- **Known for**: Leadership of the Nizari Ismaili community, modernization of Ismaili institutions  
- **Employer(s)**: Nizari Ismaili Imamate  
- **Field(s)**: Religious leadership, diplomacy  

## Contributions
- **Aga Khan Palace**: Commissioned the construction of the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, India (completed 1892), a symbol of Ismaili heritage and later a site of Indian independence movement significance.  
- **Institutional Reforms**: Established schools, hospitals, and social programs across South Asia and Africa, emphasizing education and gender equality.  
- **Diplomatic Advocacy**: Represented Ismaili interests during the British Raj and partition of India, ensuring community cohesion amid political upheaval.  

## FAQs
- **Q: When did Aga Khan III live?**  
  A: He was born on 2 November 1877 and died on 11 July 1957.  
- **Q: What was his role in the Ismaili community?**  
  A: As the 48th Imam, he served as spiritual and temporal leader, guiding the community through colonialism and independence movements.  
- **Q: What is the Aga Khan Palace?**  
  A: A historic building in Pune, India, constructed in 1892 under his commission, later used for political negotiations and now a museum.  
- **Q: What awards did he receive?**  
  A: He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour and the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.  

## Why They Matter
Aga Khan III’s leadership preserved Ismaili identity during profound regional upheaval while fostering modernization. His emphasis on education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment transformed the community’s social fabric. Without his reforms, the Ismailis might not have maintained their cohesion or adapted to 20th-century challenges, influencing their global diaspora’s resilience and progress.

## Notable For
- 48th Imam of the Nizari Ismaili community (1877–1957).  
- Founder of the Aga Khan Palace (1892).  
- Recipient of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.  
- Advocate for women’s education and social reform in South Asia and Africa.  
- Leader during the British Raj and partition of India.  

## Body
### Early Life and Education  
Aga Khan III was born on 2 November 1877 in Bombay, British India, to Sultan Mohammed Shah and his wife. He succeeded his father as Imam at birth, assuming formal responsibilities later. Educated at the University of Cambridge, he blended Islamic scholarship with Western intellectual traditions.

### Imamate and Leadership  
As Imam, he oversaw the Ismaili community across India, Africa, and the Middle East. His tenure saw the establishment of schools, hospitals, and the Imam’s welfare networks, emphasizing education for girls and vocational training. He navigated the community through the decline of the British Raj and the 1947 partition, ensuring safe migration for Ismailis to Pakistan.

### Architectural and Cultural Legacy  
The Aga Khan Palace, built in Pune in 1892, served as a residence and later hosted political figures like Mahatma Gandhi. The structure reflects Indo-Saracenic architecture and is now a national monument in India.

### Diplomatic and Political Role  
Aga Khan III engaged with British colonial authorities and later Pakistani leaders, advocating for Ismaili rights and interfaith dialogue. His diplomatic efforts earned him honors like the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire and the French Legion of Honour.

### Death and Burial  
He died on 11 July 1957 in Karachi, Pakistan. His tomb in Asnières-sur-Seine, France, is a pilgrimage site for Ismailis.

### Archival and Bibliographic Presence  
Aga Khan III is cataloged in global databases, including VIAF (47196638), ISNI (0000000109689738), and Library of Congress (n91025233), reflecting his international historical significance.

### International Recognition  
Known in Japanese as スルタン サー・モハメッド・シャー・アガ・カーン3世, his global influence extended to Asia, Africa, and Europe, solidifying the Ismaili community’s transnational identity.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. The Peerage
4. [Aga Khan III. Encyclopædia Britannica](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/8624/Aga-Khan-III)
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. [SIR SULTAN MUHAMMAD SHAH. heritage society](http://ismaili.net/mirrors/11_msms/agha.html)
7. GeneaStar
8. Croatian Encyclopedia
9. Munzinger Personen
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. nobelprize.org
13. BBC Things
14. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)
15. LIBRIS
16. Sejm-Wielki.pl
17. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
18. Catalogo of the National Library of India