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Mahdi, Sadiq al-
(Encyclopedia)Mahdi, Sadiq al-, 1936–2020, Sudanese political and religious leader. A descendent of Muhammad Ahmad (see Mahdi), Mahdi succeeded (1964) to the leadership of the Ansar, the Sufi order (see Sufism) f...derecho
(Encyclopedia)derecho dərāˈchō [key], a long-lived windstorm over a wide expanse that is associated with a line of rapidly moving thunderstorms or showers. The winds in a derecho generally exceed 57 mph (92 kph...Charles II, king of Spain, Naples, and Sicily
(Encyclopedia)Charles II, 1661–1700, king of Spain, Naples, and Sicily (1665–1700), son and successor of Philip IV. The last of the Spanish Hapsburgs, he was physically crippled and mentally retarded. His mothe...Rajputana
(Encyclopedia)Rajputana räjˌpo͝otäˈnə [key], historic region, NW India; roughly coextensive with the modern Indian state of Rajasthan. The name means “land of the Rajputs.” Rajput tribal power rose here b...Platt, Thomas Collier
(Encyclopedia)Platt, Thomas Collier, 1833–1910, American legislator and political boss, b. Owego, N.Y. He was president of the Tioga County National Bank and had acquired considerable commercial interests by the ...Souphanouvong, Prince
(Encyclopedia)Souphanouvong, Prince so͞ofäˈno͞ovŏngˌ [key], 1909–95, Laotian government official; half-brother of Prince Souvanna Phouma. Although a member of Laos's royal family, he was an active nationali...taboo
(Encyclopedia)taboo or tabu both: tăbo͞oˈ, tə– [key], prohibition of an act or the use of an object or word under pain of punishment. Originally a Polynesian word, taboo can apply to the sacred or consecrated...Casimir III
(Encyclopedia)Casimir III, 1310–70, king of Poland (1333–70), son of Ladislaus I and last of the Piast dynasty. Called Casimir the Great, he brought comparative peace to Poland. By the Congress of Visegrad (133...Motala
(Encyclopedia)Motala mo͞oˈtäˌlä [key], city (1990 pop. 29,630), Östergötland co., S Sweden, on Lake Vättern and on the Göta Canal. It is an important lake port and an industrial center. Manufactures includ...Muhammad I, Ottoman sultan
(Encyclopedia)Muhammad I or Mehmet I mĕmĕtˈ [key] (Muhammad the Restorer), 1389?–1421, Ottoman sultan (1413–21), son of Beyazid I. By defeating his brothers he reunited most of his father's empire. He consol...Browse by Subject
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