ABSTRACT

The Aga Khans have long played a prominent part on the international stage, but much less tends to be understood about the most important group of their followers, the Khoja Ismailis of South Asia, who are now also settled in many other parts of the world. Even less is generally known about the hymns, called ginans, which have historically formed so central an element in the religious life and rituals of the Ismaili community. The principal aim of this anthology is to fill this gap by providing a sympathetic introduction to this still largely unexplored tradition of South Asian devotional literature, and to draw attention to the many features of remarkable interest which it contains.

part 1|56 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|23 pages

Part II: Script and Language

part 2|81 pages

Texts and Translations

chapter 3|20 pages

Hymns of Instruction

chapter 4|12 pages

Ritual Hymns

chapter 5|12 pages

Devotional Hymns

chapter 6|18 pages

The Cosmic Cycle

chapter 7|18 pages

Tales of the Mission