Meet the 'Mango Man' who grew 300 mango varieties on one tree

Kaleem Ullah Khan, the ‘Mango Man of India’

Mangoes and summers go hand in hand in India. As soon as the season arrives, markets are flooded with all kinds of mango varieties, tempting everyone who passes by. Indians have loved mangoes for generations but Kaleem Ullah Khan shares a bond with them like no other. His passion for the fruit led him to do something incredible—he grafted over 300 different mango varieties onto a single tree, earning him the title of ‘Mango Man’.

In his hometown of Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh, he transformed a 120-year-old mango tree into a wonder of nature. This tree, which might look ordinary at first glance, is actually home to hundreds of different mango varieties, each with its own taste, color, and shape.

Khan’s love for grafting started when he was just 17. Instead of following a traditional career path, he spent his days experimenting on trees, trying to create something new. Over time, he didn’t just stick to mangoes—he grafted other fruit varieties too. His dedication paid off in 2008, when he was honored with the Padma Shri Award, one of India’s most prestigious civilian awards, for his contribution to horticulture.

India has no shortage of mango varieties—Totapuri, Langra, Dussehri, Fazli, Chausa, Safeda, Ratol, Malda, the list goes on. But Khan took things a step further. Instead of just growing them, he started naming his mangoes after famous personalities.

His very first special variety was named ‘Aishwarya’, a tribute to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan after she won Miss World in 1994. Over the years, he has named other mangoes after Anarkali, Sachin Tendulkar, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What makes Khan’s story even more fascinating is that he never had any formal education beyond the seventh grade. He wasn’t too keen on school, but that never stopped him from learning. For him, his farm was his real college.

At 17, he began helping his father in their nursery, and it was around the same time he attempted his first-ever grafting experiment. That tree, unfortunately, didn’t survive rains, but Khan was not one to give up easily. He kept experimenting, perfecting his craft year after year. And today, he is recognized as one of India’s most respected horticulturists.

Khan’s dedication to mango grafting is more than just passion—it’s an inspiration. His work proves that curiosity, hard work, and a love for nature can lead to something truly extraordinary.