During the latter stages of the
First Anglo-Afghan War (1841–1842),
Hasan Ali Shah and his cavalry officers provided assistance to
General Nott in
Kandahar Province and to
General England in his advance from
Sindh to join Nott. For these and for other diligent efforts made by him in the service of the Empire, the
British Raj recognised him as a "Prince"; it was not an uncommon practice for the British to consolidate their hold on India by handing out similar titles liberally to any large landowner or tribal chieftain with local influence who made himself useful to them. The Aga Khan was exceptional in that, while it was the local tribal influence that had enabled him to serve the British and gain their favour, his claim to nobility was based upon his claim to leadership of an entire sect of Islam. Imperial Britain saw great possibilities in having under their control and patronage the head of a major
Shia sect; it could even be used at some later stage to counterbalance the influence of the
Ottoman Caliph, the head of Islam as recognized by the
Sunni sects. The Aga Khan was the only religious or community leader in
British India granted a personal
gun salute. In 1866, the
Aga Khan won a court victory in the
High Court of Bombay in what popularly became known as the
Aga Khan Case, securing Aga Khan I's recognition by the
British government as the
Imām of the Isma'ilis/
Khoja community. The Aga Khan is also the
Pir within the
Nizari Ismaili community. In 1887, the
Secretary of State for India, acting through the
Viceroy of India, formally recognized the title
Aga Khan. ==List of Aga Khans==