Throne of Gold: The Lives of the Aga Khans
by Anne Edwards
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Description
The story of three generations of the (Aga) Khan dynasty, the spiritual head of the Ismaili Muslims with 20 million followers in India, Pakistan, East Africa and Central Asia. This book concentrates on three members of the Khan dynasty. Firstly, The Aga Khan III, the third heriditary ruler of the Muslim Ismaili Sect who was born to wealth and power in 1887 and who attempted to secure Muslim support for British Rule in India, most notably by founding the All-India Muslim League (1906) of show more which he was its President. The Aga Khan was a successful horse-owner and a friend of the Queen Mary, and became President of the League of Nations. Secondly, the book deals with Prince Aly Khan, the soldier, diplomat and playboy. His second wife was Rita Hayworth, but he had many other affairs and was killed in a car crash in 1960. Third and finally, the book deals with Prince Kharin, Aga Khan IV, who married a British fashion model, Lady Sarah Crichton-Stuart, in 1969. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
In this day and age it's easy to forget that the Aga Khan and his son, Prince Aly Khan, were once huge news and regularly featured in the media; The Aga Khan liked the highlife while Prince Aly was quite the playboy. "Throne of Gold" is therefore a good entrée into the history of the Aga Khans, including the key questions of who they were, who they represented and what they did.
It was eye-opening to see just how much dosh the Aga Khan went through and just how popular a man can be if like Aly he is a rich, handsome prince. "Throne of Gold" was also educational in giving us a good introduction to the Ismaili people (of who the Aga Khan is the head), and the role the Aga Khan plays in the life of the Ismaili. It's a shame the current Aga show more Khan is much less conspicuous than his forebears but perhaps we'll get a future Aga Khan who is happy to live in the public eye and serve as media fodder. show less
It was eye-opening to see just how much dosh the Aga Khan went through and just how popular a man can be if like Aly he is a rich, handsome prince. "Throne of Gold" was also educational in giving us a good introduction to the Ismaili people (of who the Aga Khan is the head), and the role the Aga Khan plays in the life of the Ismaili. It's a shame the current Aga show more Khan is much less conspicuous than his forebears but perhaps we'll get a future Aga Khan who is happy to live in the public eye and serve as media fodder. show less
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Author Information
37+ Works 2,432 Members
Anne Edwards is the New York Times best-selling author of Vivien Leigh: A Biography and Matriarch: Queen Mary and the House of Windsor as well as several other biographies, novels, and children's books. She lives in Beverly Hills, California.
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Aga Khan III; Aly Khan; Aga Khan IV; Rita Hayworth; Pamela Digby Harriman
- Important places
- Middle East; Salamiyah, Syria
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Biography & Memoir, History
- DDC/MDS
- 297.822 — Religion Other religions Islam By Division, Sect, or Movement Shi'a Isma'ili Shi'ism
- LCC
- BP195 .I82 .E39 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc. Islam. Bahai Faith. Theosophy, etc. Branches, sects, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 55
- Popularity
- 554,151
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.75)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
