Kalimullah Khan, famously known as India’s ‘Mango Man’, has named a new variety of mango after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The variety, grown in his orchard in Malihabad near Lucknow using his signature grafting technique, is now called ‘Rajnath Aam’.
Khan is known for creating hundreds of unique mango varieties, often naming them after famous Indian personalities like Sachin Tendulkar, Aishwarya Rai, Sonia Gandhi, Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah. He was awarded the Padma Shri for his exceptional contribution to horticulture.
“I name mangoes after people who have served the country meaningfully. If a mango helps people remember Rajnath Singh’s good work, then it’s worth it,” Khan told PTI. “He’s a balanced and thoughtful leader. During a discussion on Pakistan, I saw that he truly wants peace, not war.”
On the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 26 people, Khan strongly blamed Pakistan for the violence but added, “Peace, not conflict, is the answer. We are all human, and war only spreads hatred.”
Malihabad, Khan’s hometown, was once home to more than 1,300 varieties of mangoes. Many have vanished over the decades, but Khan has worked tirelessly to bring back the lost diversity. Today, he has developed over 300 mango types.
Born in 1945, Khan left school after Class 7, admitting he was more interested in orchards than classrooms. Despite health issues and a heart surgery, he remains active and passionate about his work.
Among his creations, he proudly mentions the “Asl-ul-Muqarrar” mango, which he started developing in 1987. He also recalled a visit from a World Bank president, who was so impressed by the scent of one of Khan’s trees that he promised to help him get land for further research — a promise still unfulfilled.
“My goal is that people enjoy different mango varieties long after I’m gone. Mangoes have health benefits that many don’t know about,” Khan said, adding that he hopes scientists will build on his work to explore the fruit’s healing properties.
Khan’s legacy isn’t just in fruit — it’s in preserving culture, history, and a deep love for the land.
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