Malihabad and its affair with the Dasheri mango | Uttar Pradesh

Every summer, homes and markets across the country welcome India’s most adored fruit, mango. Often dubbed as the King of Fruits, the fruit has ruled the Indian palette for over 4000 years from the valleys of Sindhu to the modern republic of India. Named National Fruit of India in 1950, the country accounts for 44% of mango’s global production.

If mango is the King of Fruits, then Malihabad is definitely its royal capital. Laced with the aroma of, in Amir Khusrow’s words, the fairest fruit of Hindustan, Malihabad is one of the biggest mango-producing hubs of India.

The first recorded plantation of mangoes in the town was done by the Afghan Pathan Generals of Haider Shah, the First King of Awadh around 200 years ago.

While the town today grows around 700 varieties of mangoes, the most sought-after is Dasheri, called the King of Mangoes. The story of the Dasheri mango begins in the gardens of the Nawab of Lucknow in the 18th century. Since then, farmers across India have been dedicated to cultivating this exquisite variety.

The heart of this legacy lies in the village of Dasheri, perched between Malihabad and Lucknow, in Uttar Pradesh. Here, the original mother plant, believed to be nearly 200 years old, still thrives.

This tree grew in the grove of Mohammad Ansar Zaidi and bears fruit once every two years. His descendants have taken on the responsibility of maintaining this revered tree. Known as the 'Mother Dasheri.' With varieties like Dassehri, Chausa, Langda and Safeda, Malihabad along with Uttar Pradesh accounted for nearly 23.5% of mango production in India.

Padma Shri Haji Kalimullah Khan, also known as the Mango man of India, hailed Haji Kalimullah
Khan images from Malihabad and is credited with the popularisation of Malihabad’s mango
industry with his feat of growing 300 mangoes on a single tree.

While the mango farmers of Uttar Pradesh had to bear the loss in cultivation for the past year, the intense heatwave this year has helped to push the mango yield up this year.

Malihabad isn't just a mango hub; it's a living legacy. From ancient trees to innovative farmers, this town embodies India's mango story. Despite challenges, Malihabad's dedication ensures its
mangoes will continue to delight palates worldwide.

So next time you bite into a Dasheri or any other mango, remember you're savouring a historic fruit the love for whom spans millennia and transcends borders.

Reporting, video: Sandeep Saxena
Production and voiceover: Aniket Singh Chauhan

#mango #uttarpradesh

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