AGA KHAN I., HIS HIGHNESS THE (1800-1881), the title accorded by general consent to HASAN ALI SHAH (born in Persia, 1800), when he settled in Bombay under the protection of the British Government. He was believed to have descended in direct line from Ali by his wife Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed. Ali's son, Hosain, having married a daughter of one of the rulers of Persia before the time of Mohammed, the Aga Khan traced his descent from the royal house of Persia from the most remote, almost prehistoric, times. His ancestors had also ruled in Egypt, as caliphs of the Beni-Fatimites for a number of years, at a period coeval with the Crusades. Before the Aga Khan emigrated from Persia, he was appointed by the emperor Fateh Ali Shah to be governor-general of the extensive and important province of Kerman. His rule was noted for firmness, modera tion and high political sagacity. At last, however, he incurred the mortal displeasure of Fateh Ali Shah. He fled from Persia and sought protection in British territory, preferring to settle down eventually in India, making Bombay his headquarters. In crossing over from Persia through Afghanistan the Aga Khan found opportunities of rendering valuable services to the British army in Afghanistan and thus cast in his lot with the British. A few years later he rendered conspicuous services in the course of the Sind campaign, when his help was utilized by Napier in the process of subduing the frontier tribes, a large number of whom acknowledged the Aga's authority as their spiritual head. When he finally settled down in India, his position as the leader of the large Ismailiah section of Mohammedan British subjects was recognized by the Government, and the title of His Highness was conferred on him, with a large pension. From that time until his death in 1881 the Aga Khan continued to discharge his sacer dotal functions, not only among his followers in India, but towards the more numerous communities which acknowledge his religious sway in Afghanistan, Khurascn, Persia, Arabia, Central Asia, and even distant Syria and Morocco. He remained throughout unflinchingly loyal to the British Raj, and his vast and unques tioned influence among the frontier tribes on the northern borders of India proved of invaluable service in the several expeditions led by British arms on the north-west frontier of India. He was also able to check the fanaticism of the more turbulent Moham medans in British India.
He was succeeded by his eldest son, AGA KHAN II. This prince continued the traditions and work of his father and was a mem ber of the legislative council of Bombay.