Habib Miyan

Habib Miyan (May 20, 1869? – August 19, 2008 [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7569656.stm 'Oldest man' passes away in India] ] ) was an Indian man who claimed to be 139 years old, which if true, would have made him the oldest supercentenarian. His real age, however, is disputed as no birth records exist to verify his claims. On numerous occasions, he has claimed to have been born in 1869, 1872 and 1878. He was born in Rajasthan, Jaipur, India. [http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=May2007_inbombay_standard12993 Cybernoon.com] ] .

According to his state-issued pension book and official records, Habib Miyan was born 20 May, 1878. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3050017.stm Habib Miyan] ] If this date were correct, Miyan would have been the oldest person alive since the death of official all time longevity worldrecord holder Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment in 1997. Moreover, he would have been the world's oldest person ever to live, beginning on November 1, 2000, after Miyan reached age 122 years, 165 days (Calment lived to 122 years and 164 days), ending when he died at 130 years of age.

Guinness and independent researchers have not verified Miyan's age. His claim was based upon documents issued in 1938 identifying a man named Rahim Khan, born in 1878. [ [http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/21/stories/2006052103762200.htm Jaipur's Habib Miyan at 137: celebrating yet another birthday] ] Miyan's assertion that he was, in fact, Rahim Khan is greeted by many with suspicion. He had lately claimed being born in 1872 and, most recently, 1869. He could rightfully claim to be the world's longest-registered old age pensioner, having started earning his pension in 1938 (70 years). [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3050017.stm Indian man's 65 years as OAP] at BBC.co.uk]

A Rajasthani Muslim, Miyan made the Hajj to Mecca in 2004 after generous benefactors donated the necessary funds.

On his alleged 138th birthday in 2007 while talking to PTI at his home Miyan said, "Kisi raees ki mehfil ka jikra kya hai amir, khuda ke ghar bhi na jayenge bin bulawe ke (May you discuss a party of a rich man, I will not even go to God's house without invitation)," and while asked about his eating habits, he said: "I am open to any kind of food".

References