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| Prince Aga Khan ofthe Imamate of theNizariIsmāʿīliShias | |
|---|---|
| Persian:آقاخان Arabic:آغا خان | |
| Incumbent | |
 | |
| Rahim al-Hussaini since 4 February 2025 | |
| Details | |
| First monarch | Hasan Ali Shah |
| Formation | 1817 |
Aga Khan (Persian:آقاخان;Arabic:آغا خان; also transliterated asAqa Khan andAgha Khan)[1] is thehereditary title of the spiritual leader andImām of theNizariIsmāʿīliShias, a branch ofIslam with approximately 12–15 million followers worldwide. The Aga Khan serves as both the religious head and temporal leader of the Ismaili community, providing spiritual guidance and overseeing extensivedevelopment and humanitarian work acrossAsia,Africa, and other regions whereIsmailis live.
The title, which means "Great Leader" or "Grand Commander," has been passed down through a hereditary line for over 150 years, with each Aga Khan believed by his followers to be a direct descendant of theIslamic prophetMuhammad through his daughterFatimah and son-in-lawAli. Unlike many other Islamic leadership positions, the Aga Khan's authority combines religious interpretation with significant involvement in education, healthcare, cultural preservation, and economic development.
The current holder of the title is the 50th hereditary Imām, PrinceShah Rahim al-Hussaini,Aga Khan V, who acceded to the Imamat on 4 February 2025 upon the death of his father, PrinceShah Karim al-Hussaini,Aga Khan IV, who had led the community for nearly 68 years. The succession was formalized through his father's will, and he was granted the style "His Highness" byKing Charles III, continuing a tradition dating back to the first Aga Khan.[2]
The title is made up of the titles "agha" and "khan". The Turkish "agha" is "aqa" (Āqā) inPersian. The word "agha" comes from theOld Turkic andMongolian "aqa", meaning "elder men",[3][4] and means something like "master" or "lord". "Khan" means king or ruler in Turkish and Mongolian languages.[5] Combining the terms together the title means commanding chief, lord, or master.[6]
According toFarhad Daftary,[7] a scholar at theInstitute of Isma'ili Studies,Aga Khan[8][9] is an honorific title bestowed onHasan Ali Shah (1804–1881), the 46th Imām ofNizari Ismai'lis (1817–1881), bythe Iranian kingFath-Ali Shah Qajar.[10] The Aga Khan III noted in a famous legal proceeding in India thatAga Khan is not a title but instead analias that was given to the Aga Khan I when he was a young man.[9][11]
TheNoorani family is a term used to refer to the immediate family of theAga Khan.[12]
During the latter stages of theFirst Anglo-Afghan War (1841–1842),Hasan Ali Shah and his cavalry officers provided assistance toGeneral Nott inKandahar Province and toGeneral England in his advance fromSindh to join Nott.[13] For these and for other diligent efforts made by him in the service of the Empire, theBritish Raj recognised him as a "Prince"; it was not an uncommon practice for the British to consolidate their hold on India by handing out similar titles liberally to any large landowner or tribal chieftain with local influence who made himself useful to them.
The Aga Khan was exceptional in that, while it was the local tribal influence that had enabled him to serve the British and gain their favour, his claim to nobility was based upon his claim to leadership of an entire sect of Islam. Imperial Britain saw great possibilities in having under their control and patronage the head of a majorShia sect; it could even be used at some later stage to counterbalance the influence of theOttoman Caliph, the head of Islam as recognized by theSunni sects. The Aga Khan was the only religious or community leader inBritish India granted a personalgun salute.[14]
In 1866, theAga Khan won a court victory in theHigh Court of Bombay in what popularly became known as theAga Khan Case, securing Aga Khan I's recognition by theBritish government as theImām of the Isma'ilis/Khoja community.[15] The Aga Khan is also thePir within theNizariIsmaili community.
In 1887, theSecretary of State for India, acting through theViceroy of India, formally recognized the titleAga Khan.[16]
Five Ismāʿīli imāms have held this title:
Table of Personal Salutes, Salutes of 11 Guns
