Dictionary of Indian Biography/Aga Khan

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2401754Dictionary of Indian Biography — Aga KhanCharles Edward Buckland

AGA KHAN (1800–1881)

The venerable spiritual head of the Khoja community, of Shia Muhammadans : descendant of the mysterious and dreaded "old man of the mountains" : claimed to be descended from Ali and Fatima : fled from Persia 40 years before his death, after an attempt to gain the Persian throne, at which his family aimed : assisted the British with his light horse in the Afghan war, 1842 : received Rs. 1,000 a month as pension : resided a short time in Calcutta, and then 30 years in Bombay, holding his court in grand style, and taking a leading part in turf and sporting matters : the keenest racing man in India : exercised almost absolute control over his subjects, "a king without a territory," the annual tribute from his followers amounting to a lakh of rupees : died April 12, 1881.