A Modern History of the Ismailis Continuity and Change in a Muslim Community

by Daftary, Farhad

• ISBN13: 9781845117177
• ISBN10: 1845117174
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-01-15
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris in Association with the Institute of Ismaili Studies

Summary

The Ismailis have enjoyed a long, eventful and complex history dating back to the 8eigth century CE and originating in the Shi'i tradition of Islam. During the medieval period, Ismailis of different regions--especially in central Asia, south Asia, Iran and Syria--developed and elaborated their own distinctive literary and intellectual traditions, which have made an outstanding contribution to the culture of Islam as a whole. At the same time, the Ismailis in the Middle Ages split into two main groups who followed different spiritual leaders. The Nizari Ismailis came to have a line of imams now represented by the Agha Khans, while the Tayyibi Ismailis - known in South Asia as the Bohras - came to be led by da'is (vicegerents of the concealed imams) . This collection is the first scholarly attempt to survey the modern history of both Ismaili groupings since the middle of the 19th century. It covers a variety of topical issues and themes, such as the modernizing policies of the Aga Khans, and also includes original studies of regional developments in Ismaili communities worldwide. The contributors focus too on how the Ismailis as a religious community have responded to the twin challenges of modernity and emigration to the West. A Modern History of the Ismailis will be welcomed as the most complete assessment yet published of the recent trajectory of this fascinating and influential Shi'i community.

Author Biography

Farhad Daftary is Associate Director and Head of the Department of Academic Research and Publications at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London. An international authority on Ismaili studies, his many acclaimed books in the field include The Ismailis: Their History and Doctrines, The Assassin Legends: Myths of the Ismailis, and A Short History of the Ismailis.

Table of Contents

Introduction: A Religion of Light

Emergence of the Hidden Imam

Emergence of the Hidden Imam

Aga Khan III: His Spectacular Public Career

Aga Khan III as a Community Leader

Aga Khan IV: The First 25 Years

Beyond Architecture

The Ismaili Jamat

The Pursuit of Excellence: Health and Education

"Listen to the Voices of the Poor": The Aga Khan Rural Support Programs and Their Offshoots

The Enabling Environment: Business and Development

GBAO and Beyond

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index

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