The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has heightened global concerns, potentially altering the geopolitical landscape. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s strong pronouncements and religious convictions have defined Iran’s unwavering position. Khamenei’s family history reveals a surprising connection to Barabanki, a town in Uttar Pradesh, India. His great-grandfather, Syed Ahmad Musavi Hindi, migrated from Barabanki to Iran, influencing the course of Iranian history. The initial pilgrimage evolved into a permanent relocation, fundamentally shaping Iran’s trajectory.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, whose grandfather was Syed Ahmad Musavi Hindi, spearheaded Iran’s transformation into a Shia theocracy. Khomeini’s early immersion in spirituality was influenced by his family’s roots in the Shia faith. The Musavi family’s presence in Kintoor, Barabanki, in the early 1800s, is a pivotal point. Ahmad Hindi’s father migrated from central Iran, providing a historical context for the family’s journey. In 1830, Ahmad Hindi’s pilgrimage to Najaf marked the beginning of a new chapter, leading to his permanent settlement in Iran.
Musavi’s life in Khomeyn, Iran, saw him marry and raise children, integrating into Iranian clerical society while retaining the name ‘Hindi’. His son, Mostafa, was the father of Ruhollah Khomeini, born in 1902. His influence was instrumental in changing Iran into a theocracy. His legacy, and his impact on Iran’s governance, are still visible. The story of Musavi’s migration highlights the enduring connections between India and Iran, and helps in understanding the origins of the Islamic Revolution and Iran’s role as a counterweight to the US and Saudi Arabia.