The Qajars (Kadjars) and the Agha Khans
Very few people know of the history and the relationship between the Agha Khans and the Qajars (Kadjars), fewer still remember that the Agha Khans are originally a Persian dynasty! The title Agha Khan was an honorific title bestowed by Fath Ali Shah on his son-in-law Hassan Ali Shah (ca.1800-1881), the leader of the Ismaili Shi'as of Persia. Agha Khan means "dear sir," and is thus both a term of endearment and an honorific title. Agha Khan of Mahallat (Aga Khan Mahallati, or Aga Khan I), married Princess Sarv-e Jahan Khanum, Fath Ali Shah's daughter and sister of Abbas Mirza Naeb-Saltaneh, and thus the connection between the two families starts with him. (*)
Though Agha Khan I later becomes a bitter enemy of the Qajars (Kadjars), particularly Mohammad Shah, and sides with the British against the Qajar (Kadjar) Shahs, the enmity between the two houses soon subsides, and his son Ali Shah, Agha Khan II (ca 1830-1885), marries Nasser-ed-Din Shah's niece, Princess Shams-al Muluk.(#)
Ali Shah, Agha Khan II, was already related to both Nasser-ed-Din Shah and his own future wife because he was himself Fath Ali Shah's grand-son and thus Nasser-ed-Din Shah's first cousin! For these reasons Agha Khan I descendants are related by blood to the Qajars (Kadjars). The title Agha Khan was only bestowed once by Qajar (Kadjar) Shahs, and refers exclusively to the Ismaili Imams. Today it has become the equivalent of their last name, thus Prince Sadruddin Agha Khan, and thus also Prince Karim Agha Khan, the present Agha Khan (Aga Khan) IV. (@)
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