Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah was born in karachi on friday ,2 november 1877.
When the news of his birth was routed to Imam Hasan Ali Shah in Bombay, he said: “Name him Muhammad Sultan.
He will be a Sultan (emperor) in the world. His period will witness wonderful events, and will earn distinguished position in the world.”
He was given religious and oriental education which strengthen his position as the religious leader of ismailis and made him indispensable.
he also attended eton and the university of cambridge.
Imam Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III succeeded as Imam on August 17, 1885 at the age of seven years.
He received the honorific title of ‘His Highness’ from Queen Victoria IN 1886.
under the leadership of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah the first half of 20th century was a period of signifcant development for ismaili 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.
The Jubilees of Sir Sultan Mahomed 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 ismailis weighed their Imam in gold, diamonds and in platinum respectively,the proceeds of which were used to further develop major social welfare and development institutions in Asia and Africa.
He was an owner of thoroughbred racing horses, including a record equalling five winners of The Derby.
He wrote a number of books and papers two of which are of immense importance, namely
(1) India in Transition, about the prepartition politics of India and (2) The Memoirs of Aga Khan: World Enough and Time, his autobiography.
Aga Khan III was death on 11 July 1957 and succeeded his Imamat to his grandson Karim Aga Khan, who is the present Imam of the Ismaili Muslims.