(Encyclopedia) Sophia AlekseyevnaSophia Alekseyevnasôˈfyə əlyĭksyāˈyəvnə [key], 1657–1704, regent of Russia (1682–89); daughter of Czar Alexis by his first wife and sister of Czar Feodor III.…
Important figures, branches, and traditions by David Johnson A-F | H-I | J-M | N-Z Aga Khan Spiritual leader of the Ismailis Alawite An Islamic sect Ali One of…
(Encyclopedia) Reza Shah PahleviReza Shah Pahlevirēˈzä shä päˈləvē [key], 1878–1944, shah of Iran (1925–41). He began his career as an army officer and gained a reputation for valor and leadership.…
(Encyclopedia) TatarsTatarstäˈtərz [key] or TartarsTatarstärˈtərz [key], Turkic-speaking peoples living primarily in Russia, Crimea, and Uzbekistan. They number about 10 million and are largely Sunni…
(Encyclopedia) Grand Canal, Chinese Da Yunhe [large transit river], longest in the world, extending c.1,000 mi (1,600 km) from Beijing to Hangzhou, E China, and forming an important north-south…
(Encyclopedia) BaburBaburbäˈbər [key] [Turk.,=lion], 1483–1530, founder of the Mughal empire of India. His full name was Zahir ud-Din Muhammad. A descendant of Timur (Tamerlane) and of Jenghiz Khan,…
