Opening my late parents’ literary archives is a challenging, ongoing exercise yet enriching journey. It’s been a few years — and please read the follow-up article — since I last referenced a special Ismaili Volunteer, Scouts and Guides Souvenir, a historical gem published in 1954 as a dedication to the Platinum Jubilee of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan and 35 years of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Bombay Volunteer Corps. This Souvenir was a gift from Noordin Babul, originally of Lourenço Marques (now Maputo), Mozambique, to my parents during their visit to Toronto in 2011. Uncovering the souvenir recently, as I opened a few more of my parent’s boxes, I was struck by its historical significance and decided to examine it more closely.
The opening page of this extraordinary Souvenir includes the following message by the publisher, Lt. Col. Pirmohamed V. Madhani:
“In Commemoration of the Platinum Jubilee of His Royal Highness Prince Aga Khan and the completion of 35 years’ all-embracing humble services to Our Hazar Imam, Our country and the Ismailis by H.H. The Aga Khan’s Bombay Volunteer Corps, this Souvenir is dedicated to …..text not readable….and fervent supplication in the Holy Huzur-pur-nur of His Royal Highness….text not readable….Mohammad Shah Prince Aga Khan, Mawlana Hazar Imam Our Spiritual Father, May His Exalted Highness’ Blessings and Order Prevail, With dutiful homage, Pirmahomed V. Madhani, Lt.–Col.”
The page facing the dedication contains a special message from Mawlana Sultan Mohamed Shah in English, and on the following page, there is a text of the message in Gujarati. The message reads:
“Lt. Col. Pirmohamed has served brilliantly for a life time for the Volunteer Corps, and I do hope that all will have their names inscribed as volunteers and will take him as an example and give the same devoted services as he did” — Signed Aga Khan, 4th. June 1954.
Facing the Gujarati translation is a portrait of Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah, which appears under the Qur’anic verse, “And every thing have We counted in the Manifest Imam” — 36:12.
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As I prepare to share intriguing material from the souvenir in the coming weeks, I was surprised to learn that our present Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Al Hussaini Hazar Imam, visited India in 1954 during his grandfather’s Platinum Jubilee year, a visit that holds significant historical importance. His advice to the Jamat, given three years before he succeeded to the Imamat on July 11, 1957, is a timeless guidepost, a beacon of wisdom that he has consistently mentioned in his Farmans (guidance, edict) during his 67-year reign as the 49th Hereditary Ismaili Imam. This enduring relevance of his advice when he was not an Imam is a powerful thread connecting us to our past and guiding us into the future. The following piece from the Souvenir’s article has been adapted and edited for clarity.
June 1954: Ismaili Volunteers, Scouts and Guides Souvenir on Prince Karim Aga Khan
Prince Karim Aga Khan is the grandson of His Royal Highness Prince Aga Khan and the eldest son of Prince Aly Khan. He has a brilliant personality and a most promising career for the Ismaili community. Every heart is thrilled and feels excited and joyful when one recalls the most cherished memories of Prince Karim’s glorious period of childhood and youth.
The brilliant achievements of the Fatimid Imams and direct descendants of Hazrat Ali (A.S.) have a significant bearing on Prince Karim Aga Khan, and Prince Karim’s atmosphere of bliss and divine enlightenment is clearly perceptible.
Prince Karim’s outstanding leadership and high talent qualities were evident during his visit to Bharat [India]. The golden advice that Prince Karim tendered to the Jamats is proof of his clear thought and tremendous love and affection for the Ismailis.
Prince Karim Aga Khan said:
“Strive to impart such an education to children so that they may earn their rightful place in the world because on it depends on the success of their lives. It is an important requirement of life which will stand them in good stead in the battle of life. So, every effort must be made to impart to the Ismaili children the right type of education.”
The souvenir article notes that this advice is one example of Prince Karim Aga Khan’s great concern for the education of our children. The article then continues:
On another occasion during the visit, Prince Karim impressed Jamat with the need for hard work and great perseverance. He called upon everyone to do good deeds; endless service to humanity is eternal and immortal. Prince Karim requested the Jamat to help one another and thus show their true love and devotion to the community. He said:
“Your patriotism and loyalty must be sincere, active and productive. Please follow this advice, and be industrious and hardworking. The work done for the community is always noble and verily we are taught that all good deeds shall be compensated fourfold.”
Prince Karim called upon everyone to always remember the Farmans so lovingly bestowed by Imam-e-Zaman [the Imam-of-the-Time, then his grandfather, the 48th Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah] and to translate the Farmans fully into action.
The Souvenir states that the Ismailis of Bharat were fortunate to have His Serene Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan in their midst in 1954. His words of wisdom, which he uttered on various occasions, were so full of meaning that everyone was highly impressed with his intellectual superiority and qualities of mind and heart.
The Souvenir concludes: “We are all so happy that Prince Karim is taking such a keen interest in our welfare and happiness.”
May I note that the Souvenir is rich with information about Ismaili volunteers of the time and narratives of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah’s visits to the Jamat in India. We look forward to sharing some of the Souvenir’s content in future pieces in Simerg and its sister website, Barakah.
Date posted: January 6, 2025.
Last updated: January 7, 2025 (typo).
A version of this piece also appears in Barakah, a blog specifically dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan.
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