Habib Miyan lived with 32 relatives

An Indian man reported to be the oldest in the world has died in the western city of Jaipur.

Habib Miyan's pension papers showed his date of birth as 20 May 1879, but he claimed he was 138.

He shot into limelight five years ago when he managed to complete his only unfulfilled dream, to visit the Muslim holy place of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

A UK-based businessman paid $5,700 for the trip after reading his story on BBC News Online.

Mr Miyan lived in a Muslim neighbourhood of Jaipur with 32 relatives.

He claimed to be 138 (his pension book said 129).

He lost his vision 50 years ago and had limited mobility for many years.

He had been drawing a pension since 1938, but relatives say he could not afford to pay for a trip to Mecca.

After reading his story on BBC News Online, a UK-based businessman sent him money to be able to undertake the Haj pilgrimage.



