Malihabad

Malihabad is located at 6.92°N 80.72°E / 6.92; 80.72.^[5] It has an average elevation of 128 metres (419 feet).The main areas in Malihabad are Mirzaganj, Syedwara, Chaudrana and Kewalhar. And Malihabad's major population belongs to the rural areas and there are most probably 187 villages and 67 gram panchayats also included under the tahsheel of Malihabad.

Malihabad was historically the seat of a pargana, as mentioned in the Ain-i-Akbari.^[4] At the time of Shah Jahan it was colonized by Ammanzai Pathans, who became the primary landowners.^[4] During the reign of Safdarjung, the Pathan landlords Yaar Beg Khan Afridi, Baaz Khan Afridi, Karam Khan Afridi and others were granted a part of Malihabad, known as Kawalhar. In 1257H Nawab Faqir Muhammad khan Goya Grandson of Yaar Beg Khan Afridi became the commander-in-chief in the army of Ghazi-ud-Din Haidar Shah.^[3] He became enamored with Malihabad and requested permission from the Nawab to grow mangoes here, thus establishing the first mango plantation in Malihabad^[3]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[6] Malihabad had a population of 15,806. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Malihabad has an average literacy rate of 52%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 59%, and female literacy is 45%. In Malihabad, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Dasheri mango plantations are one of the major income sources of the region, with mangoes being exported to many neighbouring countries.^[7][8]

Vegetables are another major export here.^[1]

The Filmfare Award winner (1979) and winner of National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi (1978), film Junoon was mostly shot in the Mahals of Malihabad.^[9] The 1978 Urdu film was produced by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Shyam Benegal and was a hit of its time. The film was based on Ruskin Bond novella A Flight of Pigeons.

Malihabad and its famous mangoes are mentioned several times in the 2004 film Lakshya.^[10]

Malihabad block contains the following 100 villages:^[1]

• Nawab Faqir Muhammad khan Goya, Warrior, Writer, Poet^[11]
• Ghaus Mohammad Khan, sportsperson^[12]
• Josh Malihabadi, writer, revolutionary poet^[13]
• Maulana Abdur Razzaq Malihabadi, Islamic Scholar, Writer, Journalist, Freedom Fighter.
• Prof. Khan Muhammad Atif , Persian Scholar, Ex. MLA, Writer, HOD Persian Department University of Lucknow
• Mohsin Khan, Urdu fiction writer and novelist.^[14]
• Ahmad Saeed Malihabadi, Ex. Member of Parliament, Writer, Journalist.
• Kaleem Ullah Khan, Mango farmer
• Zafaryab Jilani – Senior advocate known for representing the Muslim side in the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid case.^[15]

Barah Kamba (Shamir Khan Tomb)