(Encyclopedia) AssassinAssassinəsăsˈĭn [key], European name for the member of a secret order of the Ismaili sect of Islam. They are known as Nizaris after Nizar ibn al-Mustansir, whom they supported…
(Encyclopedia) Taj MahalTaj Mahaltäzh məhälˈ, täj məhŭlˈ [key], mausoleum, Agra, Uttar Pradesh state, N India, on the Yamuna River. It is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world…
(Encyclopedia) AkbarAkbarăkˈbär [key], 1542–1605, Mughal emperor of India (1556–1605); son of Humayun, grandson of Babur. He succeeded to the throne under a regent, Bairam Khan, who rendered loyal…
WorldSudan Leader Killed in Crash (Aug. 1): Government confirms that John Garang, leader of the opposition Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) who was recently named vice president, had been…
(Encyclopedia) Shankar, Ravi (Robindra Shankar Chowdhury), 1920–2012, Indian sitarist and composer, b. Varanasi. He was the first Indian instrumentalist to attain an international reputation and is…
(Encyclopedia) BalkhBalkhbälkh [key], town, N Afghanistan, on a dried-up tributary of the Amu Darya River. One of the world's oldest cities, it is the legendary birthplace of the prophet Zoroaster.…
