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One tree growing in India is a botanical marvel that defies conventional horticulture. Here stands a nearly 125-year-old mango tree which has grown over 350 varieties of mango.
This is the creation of Kalimullah Khan, the “Mango Man of India,” according to The Better India. His innovative grafting made a family orchard into an internationally admired site. Khan’s remarkable journey didn’t begin in agricultural school, but among the mango trees of his family orchard. Unsuccessful in academic studies, he began tending to the mango trees following his grandfather's passing. “I was never interested in studies,” he told The Better India. “I realized I can work hard in areas I am interested in,” he continued.
Despite challenges along the way, he never gave up on his dream. In 1957, a tree onto which he had grafted seven different mango varieties was destroyed by heavy floods. He viewed this setback as a learning opportunity and taught himself how to deal with flooding in soil.
The Art of Mango Grafting
Grafting involves joining branches from different mango varieties onto a single rootstock, with each graft maintaining its unique characteristics while sharing a common root system. Each mango variety on this one tree has its own distinct color, texture, and taste.
Over decades, he experimented with grafting techniques on a particular tree until he developed a systematic approach to grafting mangoes. “The grafting process is an art,” Khan said. “It's like a puzzle. You need to choose the right varieties, join them carefully, and nurture them for years.”
His 57-year-old son, Nazimullah, manages the orchard and described the patience required for this type of work. Creating a single hybrid variety can take up to ten years, while another one of Khan’s varieties took 12 years.
Khan’s famous tree has all his favorite varieties, as well as hybrids developed by the father and son together. He names many of his mango creations after prominent Indian personalities. One mango is called Aishwarya after Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who won the Miss World title in 1994, according to MSN. Khan also named another variety after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earning Global Recognition
Khan was awarded the Padma Shri in 2008 in recognition of his immense contributions to horticulture. Khan's achievements have also attracted international attention. Farmers and researchers have come from Iran and Dubai to visit the tree and learn his methods of grafting, according to The Better India.
Now 84, with his son continuing his legacy, Khan reflects on a lifetime dedicated to his passion. “I live with mangoes, and they are always in my heart,” he told The Better India. “If given the chance, even desert landscapes could taste the sweetness of mangoes,” he added.
His connection to the orchard transcends professional interest. Through patience, innovation, and a deep love for India's beloved fruit, Kalimullah Khan has created more than a horticultural wonder — he is a living testament to the extraordinary achievements possible when passion meets persistence.
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