A website dedicated to photographs and videos from Canada and around the world with an emphasis on nature, wildlife, food, travel and sport as well as art, architecture and culture. In culture, the focus will be on projects related to the work of His Highness the Aga Khan, his Ismaili Muslim community and Islam in general.
A Collection of 48 (Plus 1) Memorable Images from the Life of the 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, His Highness the Aga Khan III
September 1885: Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III, at his enthronement ceremony as 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Ismaili Muslims in Bombay at the age of 7. Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Copyright
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The Memoirs of Aga Khan
“I can only say to everyone who reads this book of mine that it is my profound conviction that man must never ignore and leave untended and undeveloped that spark of the Divine which is in him.” — Aga Khan III
The Memoirs of Aga Khan: The autobiography of the 48th Ismaili Imam, Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan, was first published in London in 1954 under the title, The Memoirs of Aga Khan: World Enough and Time. The Memoirs was originally published in English (the British and American editions being published in 1954), and while these English versions were circulated widely in the English-speaking world, a remarkable fact is that the 48th Imam’s autobiography was translated into several languages, both eastern and western. Besides translations into Gujarati, Sindhi and Urdu, The Memoirs was translated into six European languages, all of which were published during 1954 and 1955. An interesting feature is that many of the illustrations in these translations are different to those that appear in the English editions.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah as a young boy in the Spanish Edition of Memoirs of Aga Khan
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah pictured with his son, Prince Sadruddin, and grandsons Prince Karim (left) and Prince Amyn. This photo appears in various editions of the Memoirs.
Portraits of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah in the German Edition.
A portrait of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah and Mata Salamat in the French Edition.
A photo of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah and Mata Salamat in Mashad, Iran, which appears in the Norwegian edition.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah pictured in Rajkot, India, with the Ismaili leadership. Itmadi Kassam Kothari was the President of the Kathiawar Education Board and is shown seated to the Imam’s left. In suit and tie, to the Imam’s right, is the late Rai Pirbhai Rayani who later in life settled in Calgary, Canada. Photo: Bashir Kothari/Nuri Kothari, Calgary, Canada.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah admiring the Ismaili Jamatkhana (see next photo) in Lourenco Marques, his first stop before departing for South Africa. The visit took place in 1945.
A 1945 photo of the old Lourenco Marques Jamatkhana which was described by Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah as being one of the finest in Africa. Both the interior and exterior underwent major changesduring the 1960’s..
Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah’s 1946 message to South Africa published in the Souvenir, following his visit in 1945. Photo: Zul Khoja Collection, Ottawa.
The Front Cover of the “The Aga Khan and Africa” Souvenir issue. Photo: Zul Khoja Collection, Ottawa.
Photogravure illustrating the magnificent floral decorations and seating design at the reception given to Aga Khan III and the Begum Aga Khan by the Aga Khan’s Ismailia Provincial Council, Pretoria, on Thursday August 9th 1945
Mawlana Sultan Mohamed Shah and the Begum Om Habibah Mata Salamat with a South African family visiting Paris.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah offering prayers at the Muslim League Function held in South Africa in 1945.
March 1936: Photo taken in India on the occasion of the presentation of a casket by a group of Ismaili missionaries to Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah to mark the occasion of his Golden Jubilee. The Casket was created and donated by ‘Senior’ Missionary Alijah Moloobhai Allarakhia Jangbarwalla. Photographed by: Golden Art Studio; Photo: The Late Ameer Janmohamed Collection, London, UK.
A Mint stamp of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah issued in 1990 as part of Pakistan’s “Pioneers of Freedom” series.
Pakistan First Day Cover issued for Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s birth centenary on November 2, 1977.
Mosaic of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah by the late Gulgee, the renowned Pakistani Ismaili artist.
29 December 1948: A telegram from Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah sent during the 63rd year of his reign conferring the title of Diwan on (Count) Gulamhussein Mohamed Naser Jindani. Photo: The Late Mohamed Jindani collection, London, UK.
A portrait of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah taken in New Delhi. Photo Credit: Collection of ‘The Ismaili’, Master Khimani Archives, Vancouver, Canada.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah pictured with Badrudin Adatia, who currently lives in Ottawa, Canada. Recalls Adatia: “I wanted to take a picture of him with us and I asked his permission. The room was dim, however, and I didn’t have a flash on my camera. Although he was very sick and could not even walk, he told me he would head toward the window where there would be better light. Imagine! I clasped my hands with respect and said, “No Khudavind. I will take the picture just as we are.” Photo: Badrudin Adatia collection.
May 1951: Mr. Akber Premji was asked to sit himself between Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah and Mata Salamat during his audience at the Ritz in London. Photo: Akber Premji Collection. Copyright.
The Golden Jubilee medal that was distributed by Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah to thousands of Ismaili children.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah being weighed in gold during his Golden Jubilee celebrations held in Nairobi in 1936. The Governor of Kenya is given the gold bars by the Mukhi. Photo: Shaukat Noormohamed, Toronto/Mohammad Jindani, UK.
Obverse of a medal commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah. Photo: Nizar Noorali Collection, Pakistan.
August 1946: Vast crowds of Ismailis from all over the world had gathered in Dar-es-Salaam for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah. Photo: Motani Collection, Ottawa.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah speaking at the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Dar-es-Salaam. From Madagascar to Central Asia, Ismaili pilgrims converged on the city for the weighing ceremony on August 10, 1946 in Dar-es-Salaam. Five months earlier, many saw a similar weighing in Bombay. Both ceremonies raised over 640,000 British pounds each in the Aga Khan’s weight against diamonds.
A genealogical depiction of the 48 Ismaili Imams through a numbered chain which starts with Hazrat Ali as the first Imam alongside the Imamat crest, and which then continues in an anti-clockwise direction with the popular names of the Imams up to the 48th Imam, Sultan Mahomed Shah. The crest of the Ismaili Imam is flanked by the famous red and green flag of the Ismaili Imamat. A portrait of “MAULANA HAZAR IMAM” appears at the foot of the chart. The dates on either side of the portrait, 17.VIII.1885 and 17.VIII.1945, are respectively the date Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah became the 48th Imam (at the age of seven – he was born on November 2, 1877) and the date of the completion of his sixty years of the Imamat. Photo: Diamond Jubilee Souvenir published by the Ismailia Association of Africa. Credit: Sadruddin Khimani Family Collection, Vancouver, Canada.
A message by Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah published in the Platinum Jubilee Souvenir Issue, marking his 70 years of Imamat, asks his followers to set examples of fraternity and goodwill. Credit: Nizar Noorali Collection, Pakistan.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah acknowledges the affection of his followers who had gathered in their thousands to mark his Platinum Jubilee celebration at the Aga Khan Gymkhana in Karachi.
Prince Aly Khan, eldest son of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, displaying a Platinum Plaque which he received on behalf of his ill father on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in Bombay in February 1957. Photo: Ilm Mgazine, UK.
Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah in full regalia. Photo from “Fidai” Magazine published in 1936 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan. Credit: Sadruddin Pirani Collection, Ottawa.
July 19, 1957: Mawlana Shah Karim al Hussaini Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, seen seen holding the coffin of his grandfather, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah who passed away on July 11, 1957. Photo: Jehangir Merchant Collection.
February 1959: Mawlana Shah Karim al Hussaini Hazar Imam left, his uncle Prince Sadruddin, right, and Prince Amyn at the back, carrying the shrouded body of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah from its temporary resting place to the mausoleum. Photo: Jehangir Merchant collection
February 1959: Prince Sadruddin and Prince Amyn walking behind Mawlana Shah Karim al Hussaini Hazar Imam.
The marble sarcophagus of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah under the granite dome of his mausoleum in Aswan (see top photo). Photo: Jehangir Merchant collection.
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+ 1 more ….
“Verily, God did choose Adam and Noah, the progeny of Abraham, and the progeny of Imran above all the worlds, descendants, one from the other: And God heareth and knoweth all things.” — The Holy Qur’an.
“The Ismaili Imamat is a supra-national entity, representing the succession of Imams since the time of the Prophet.” — His Highness the Aga Khan, Ottawa, February 27, 2014.
A portrait of the Mawlana Shah Karim al Hussaini Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, taken shortly after he succeeded his late grandfather to the throne of Imamat on July 11, 1957 at the age of twenty. A framed portrait of the late 48th Imam who served the community for 72 years is seen in the background. Copyright.Photo by Philippe Le Tellier/Paris Match via Getty Images. Copyright.
Date posted: Sunday, November 2, 2014. Last updated: November 2, 2021 (formatting)
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For a complete list as well as links to photo essays published on this blog please click on Table of Contents. Please also visit this photoblog’s companion literary website, http://www.simerg.com. We welcome feedback/letters from our readers. Please use the LEAVE A REPLY box which appears below or send your letter to simerg@aol.com. Your feedback may be edited for length and brevity, and is subject to moderation. We are unable to acknowledge unpublished letters.
The site in Aswan of the Late Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah’s home and burial place right near River Nile is awesome. It is also true His Begum, Mata Salamat went to his burial site and put a red rose on his tomb everyday.
Bundle of thanks respected Sir for enlightening us with the melody of esoteric happiness and internal peace. It really gave me an immense pleasure while looking at valuable pictures of our beloved IMAM. May Maula bestow you with all that which you wish. We need your guidance all the time.
Thank you, Malik Merchant, may Mawla Bless you with all the best in life. Many of the photos I have never seen! They are really rare. Well preserved. If I am not forgetting Mawlana Sultan Mohamed Shah had written a book named “India In Transition”, I don’t remember the date. If some one has preserved this book perhaps it can be loaned to you and you can quote from it. I pray that you keep up the good work.
Excellent endeavor and great honorable service to the brilliant Ismailia community! Keep it up!
I was fourteen years old during the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa. My younger sister was born on 17th August 1946, and she was named Almas, as it was given by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. I still remember the venue and the speech and all the decorations, the parade, the tents built to accommodate the Ismailis arriving from various destinations, and the vast kitchen facilities to feed our community.
May Allah bless all! amen.
Ya Ali Madad,
Khatoon Gulamani.
Excellent collection. It indeed will be a great joy and enlightening knowledge to our children how our Imams have dedicated their lives for us His Murids and now it is our turn to prove that we are eternally grateful to our Ruhani fathers whose only ambition was to make us humble, highly educated, hard working, dedicated and true Ismailies. May Hazer Imam fulfil our wishes to exceed His Expectations. Gulzar
These unique and historical photos bring back memories of childhood. This is the best album collection I have come across and the memories of Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan will be stored for a lifetime.
Ramzan Nanji,
London.
This is a unique collection of memorable photos of our beloved 48th Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah. On this historic occasion I am very proud to write to you that my late parents were very lucky to attend the ceremony in 1959, and further that my son Minaz, who has been working with Mawlana Hazar Imam for the last 30 years, was fortunate to attend the Mausoleum at Aswan along with his wife, Anar, in the year 2000.
My name is Rajabali Nanji, and I am proudly writing this message on my 83rd birthday, 9th November, 2014.
Dear Malik:
Thank you for Publishing the most memorable photo of my father Aitmadi Kassam Kothari with Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah in Rajkot when he was the President of Education Board. The precious photo collection during Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah’s reign depicts the Glorious Period of his Imamat. For the young generation of today, this is a very precious literature. Your publication wins the heart of so many readers. It is heart warming to me and my family.
Thank you very much for sharing these pictures and story about our beloved Late Mowlana Sultan Mohammad Shah from the day he became our Imam to his last days.
May Hazar Imam Bless you for this exceptional work for enlightening Jamats throughout World with great memories. I am sure Jamats will appreciate Simerg. These wonderful memories will be cherished throughout our life. We were waiting for the collection of such memories for our Most Beloved Hazar Imam’s Imamat.
Seventy years of glorious Immamat at your finger tip. Congratulations and thank you for the magnificent and superb collection of Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah’s Imamat.
This whole input not only brings me personal memories but 2nd November stands as a family remembrance as my late eldest sister Roshankhanu, we young ones called her Bai, was born on that date. As a special present to her 3 sons, Salim, Shiraz and Rafik Kurji from Calgary I have joy to send this to them. Thank you Editor Abdulmalik Merchant of http://www.simerg.com.
Kamrudin A. Rashid, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. on said:
A very impressive posting of the historical and memorable images of the beloved 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims – Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. This will be cherished throughout our lifetimes. Great work indeed, Simerg.
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The site in Aswan of the Late Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah’s home and burial place right near River Nile is awesome. It is also true His Begum, Mata Salamat went to his burial site and put a red rose on his tomb everyday.
Wonderful collection; thank you for sharing.
Cool!
Beautiful collection. Many thanks for sharing.
Bundle of thanks respected Sir for enlightening us with the melody of esoteric happiness and internal peace. It really gave me an immense pleasure while looking at valuable pictures of our beloved IMAM. May Maula bestow you with all that which you wish. We need your guidance all the time.
Excellent pictures. Thank you. Amin Maherali
Thanks for sharing these lovely photos. They are an amazing legacy to leave for our children and the future generations.
Thank you, Malik Merchant, may Mawla Bless you with all the best in life. Many of the photos I have never seen! They are really rare. Well preserved. If I am not forgetting Mawlana Sultan Mohamed Shah had written a book named “India In Transition”, I don’t remember the date. If some one has preserved this book perhaps it can be loaned to you and you can quote from it. I pray that you keep up the good work.
Truly heart touching pictures and messages!
Never seen Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah in his younger day, this is fantastic, good work!
Excellent endeavor and great honorable service to the brilliant Ismailia community! Keep it up!
I was fourteen years old during the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa. My younger sister was born on 17th August 1946, and she was named Almas, as it was given by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. I still remember the venue and the speech and all the decorations, the parade, the tents built to accommodate the Ismailis arriving from various destinations, and the vast kitchen facilities to feed our community.
May Allah bless all! amen.
Ya Ali Madad,
Khatoon Gulamani.
Good pictures. You are providing the new generation a new path to keep up with.
Amazing pictures!
Excellent collection. It indeed will be a great joy and enlightening knowledge to our children how our Imams have dedicated their lives for us His Murids and now it is our turn to prove that we are eternally grateful to our Ruhani fathers whose only ambition was to make us humble, highly educated, hard working, dedicated and true Ismailies. May Hazer Imam fulfil our wishes to exceed His Expectations. Gulzar
Beyond words.
Beautiful pictures.
These unique and historical photos bring back memories of childhood. This is the best album collection I have come across and the memories of Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan will be stored for a lifetime.
Ramzan Nanji,
London.
Dear Malikbhai,
This is a unique collection of memorable photos of our beloved 48th Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah. On this historic occasion I am very proud to write to you that my late parents were very lucky to attend the ceremony in 1959, and further that my son Minaz, who has been working with Mawlana Hazar Imam for the last 30 years, was fortunate to attend the Mausoleum at Aswan along with his wife, Anar, in the year 2000.
My name is Rajabali Nanji, and I am proudly writing this message on my 83rd birthday, 9th November, 2014.
A very concise history in pictures for the younger generation to go through. Thank you for a great pictorial collection!!
Wah…Mashallah…What a priceless collection for everyone who has viewed this post of our beloved 48th Imam….thank you Simerg for your labour of love.
Excellent collection of photographs of late Sultan Mohammad Shah our beloved 48th Imam.
Thank you for sharing.
Nazir Fazal
South Surrey/White Rock,
B.C
Muito obrigada a simerg por nos oferecer estas lindas e magníficas imagens. Belísimo trabalho!
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures of Mowlana Sultan Muhamad Shah and the Noorani family.
Absolutely amazing! Excellent work….
Wow! this is an amazing collection! Thank you for sharing in the Simergphotos for our Jamati member to access it. Awesome job for sure!
Dear Malik:
Thank you for Publishing the most memorable photo of my father Aitmadi Kassam Kothari with Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah in Rajkot when he was the President of Education Board. The precious photo collection during Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah’s reign depicts the Glorious Period of his Imamat. For the young generation of today, this is a very precious literature. Your publication wins the heart of so many readers. It is heart warming to me and my family.
Thank you again!!
Ya Ali Madad
Taj Kassam Kothari
Absolutely fascinating. Thank you and may the blessings of Allah be with you always.
Zenny,
Dubai.
Thank you very much for sharing these pictures and story about our beloved Late Mowlana Sultan Mohammad Shah from the day he became our Imam to his last days.
May Hazar Imam Bless you for this exceptional work for enlightening Jamats throughout World with great memories. I am sure Jamats will appreciate Simerg. These wonderful memories will be cherished throughout our life. We were waiting for the collection of such memories for our Most Beloved Hazar Imam’s Imamat.
Rai Saheb
Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.
For Mawlana Hazar Imam, may I recommend, https://simergphotos.com/2012/09/11/his-highness-the-aga-khan-and-the-ismailis/
Thank you
Malik, Simergphotos.com
A very good collection and hope for more in future.
Tajuddin Khoja,
Lawyer, Sindh,
Pakistan
Thank you, Malik.
What a wonderful collection of photos for the younger generation. Keep it up Simerg.
Seventy years of glorious Immamat at your finger tip. Congratulations and thank you for the magnificent and superb collection of Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah’s Imamat.
Mansur H. Lalani,
North Vancouver, BC,
Canada
This whole input not only brings me personal memories but 2nd November stands as a family remembrance as my late eldest sister Roshankhanu, we young ones called her Bai, was born on that date. As a special present to her 3 sons, Salim, Shiraz and Rafik Kurji from Calgary I have joy to send this to them. Thank you Editor Abdulmalik Merchant of http://www.simerg.com.
“SUPERB”. Thank you, Simerg.
Great work Simerg. Historical & amazing pictures. Fond memories of Our Beloved Sultan Mohamed Shah.
Rashida Kanji,
Toronto, Canada
A very impressive posting of the historical and memorable images of the beloved 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims – Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. This will be cherished throughout our lifetimes. Great work indeed, Simerg.
Amazing pictures.
Amazing pictures, a wonderful job.
Very nice pictures, a wonderful job.