India, Pakistan. A Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan Iii Diamond Jubilee Medal 1885-1945

In bronze gilt, obverse illustrating the bust of Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III within an oval, the oval centred within a large star, surmounted by a crown, with an upward-facing crescent moon below, with twin ribbon banners inscribed "DIAMOND" and "JUBILEE" below the crown, and a ribbon banner inscribed "1885 IMAMAT 1945" below the crescent moon, reverse inscribed "HIS HIGHNESS SIR SULTAN MAHOMED SHAH AGAKHAN'S 1885-IMAMAT-1945 DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION AFRICA-1946 CLASS FOUR", measuring 36.5 mm (w) x 48.5 mm (h), original ribbon suspended from a hanger with pinback, scattered gilt wear, near extremely fine.

Footnote: Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III GCSI GCMG GCIE GCVO PC (November 2, 1877 - July 11, 1957) was the 48th Imam of the NizariIsmaili religion. He was one of the founders and the first president of the All-India Muslim League (AIML). His goal was the advancement of Muslim agendas and protection of Muslim rights in India. The League, until the late 1930s, was not a large organization but represented the landed and commercial Muslim interests of the British-ruled "United Provinces" (today Uttar Pradesh). He shared Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's belief that Muslims should first build up their social capital through advanced education before engaging in politics. Aga Khan called on the British Raj to consider Muslims to be a separate nation within India, the so-called "Two Nation Theory". Even after he resigned as president of the AIML in 1912, he still exerted major influence on its policies and agendas. He was nominated to represent India to the League of Nations in 1932 and served as President of the League of Nations from 1937 to1938. Under the leadership of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III, the first half of the twentieth century was a period of significant development for the Ismā'īlī community. Numerous institutions for social and economic development were established in the Indian Subcontinent and in East Africa. Ismailis have marked the Jubilees of their Imāms with public celebrations, which are symbolic affirmations of the ties that link the Ismāʿīlī Imām and his followers. Although the Jubilees have no religious significance, they serve to reaffirm the Imamat's worldwide commitment to the improvement of the quality of human life, especially in the developing countries. The Jubilees of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan III, are well remembered. During his 72 years of Imamat (1885-1957), the community celebrated his Golden (1937), Diamond (1946) and Platinum (1954) Jubilees. To show their appreciation and affection, the Ismā'īliyya weighed their Imam in gold, diamonds and, symbolically, in platinum, respectively, the proceeds of which were used to further develop major social welfare and development institutions in Asia and Africa.