Habib Mian, perhaps the longest surviving man in India, passed away in Jaipur on Tuesday at the age of 139.
Born on May 28, 1870, at Rajgarh in Rajasthan's Alwar district, Habib Mian had been suffering from fever and a bout of dysentery.
He had joined the band of the erstwhile Jaipur Royal family as a clarinet player and retired from service in 1938. At that time, he received a pension of just Rs 1.46, which was later increased to Rs 2698.
Habib Mian did not celebrate his birthday this year as he was saddened by the serial bomb blasts in Jaipur on May 13, which claimed 62 lives, according to his grandson Chuttan Khan.
According to Mian's family friend, Rajesh Nagpal, the old man had called him on Monday and said 'Mera samay aagaya hai. Mujhe chod kar mat jana (my time has come, don't leave me at this time)'.
Beside Chuttan Mian and his eldest grandson Mahmood Mian, Habib Mian has left behind 140 grand and great-grand children.
His four sons and wife had died several years ago, Chuttan said.
In 2005, the Limca Book had recorded Habib Mian as the oldest man of Jaipur.
Habib Mian used to draw a pension of Rs 350 from Maharani Gayatri Devi Trust.
More from rediff