The Mango Maestro
Kalimullah Khan, affectionately known as the 'Mango Man of India,' is a horticultural legend who has achieved something truly remarkable: nurturing an astonishing
array of over 350 different types of mangoes on a single, venerable tree that has stood for 125 years. This Padma Shri awardee, whose formal education was cut short after failing Class 7, found his true calling and excelled in the art of grafting. Khan inherited his family's orchard in Malihabad and, driven by a profound interest in his ancestral craft, transformed it into a testament to his horticultural prowess. He has become a celebrated figure, not just for the sheer diversity of fruits he cultivates, but for the innovative spirit that underpins his work. His 22-acre orchard is a vibrant hub, with one specific, ancient tree serving as the crown jewel, a living canvas showcasing the incredible range of this beloved fruit.
Genesis of a Vision
The extraordinary concept of merging multiple mango varieties onto one tree didn't emerge overnight. Kalimullah Khan's ambitious journey began in 1957 with an initial attempt to graft seven different mango types onto a single tree. This early endeavor faced a setback when devastating floods wiped out the effort, but the experience proved invaluable, teaching him crucial lessons in managing waterlogged soil. Undeterred, he intensified his experimental grafting work by 1987, focusing on his grandfather's ancient, resilient tree. This magnificent tree, now approximately 125 years old, continues to thrive and bears the testament to his persistent trials over decades. Through meticulous grafting, which involves skillfully joining branches from various mango cultivars onto a strong rootstock, he has transformed this single tree into a prolific producer of 300-350 distinct mangoes, each retaining its unique flavor, size, and color profile.
The Art of Grafting
At the heart of Kalimullah Khan's unparalleled success lies his mastery of grafting, a horticultural technique he describes as an intricate art form, akin to solving a complex puzzle. This process involves carefully selecting healthy branches from diverse mango trees and meticulously fusing them onto the rootstock of a robust, established tree. The success of this fusion requires patience and dedication, as it can take years of careful nurturing before the grafted branches mature and begin to bear fruit. Khan's son, Nazimullah, who has also dedicated himself to the family's orchard after leaving his studies, highlights the dedication involved. He points to hybrids like 'Dushehri Kalim,' a cross between Dushehri and Sinduri varieties, which took a remarkable 12 years to develop fully. To achieve such diversity, they source seeds and scions from various regions, including Mumbai and Delhi, ensuring genetic compatibility and ample space for each new variety to flourish.
A Fruitful Tribute
Khan's extraordinary tree is a living gallery, showcasing a dazzling array of popular mango varieties such as the velvety sweet Alphonso, the crisp and tangy Langra, the fragrant Kesar, the juicy Dasheri, and the aromatic Chaunsa. Beyond these traditional favorites, Khan has also created unique hybrids and given them distinctive names, often honoring influential figures who have
