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Publication
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 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.… (more)
User reviews
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 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.