The village of Kintoor, located in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh, is historically recognised as the ancestral home of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Khomeini’s grandfather, Syed Ahmad Musavi Hindi, was born in Kintoor in 1790 before migrating to Khomein in Iran, where his family lineage prospered.

After relocating, Syed Ahmad Musavi Hindi retained the suffix “Hindi” in his name to honour his Indian roots. Around 1830, at approximately 40 years of age, he travelled from India to Iran via Iraq, accompanied by the Nawab of Awadh. Seeking refuge from British rule, he settled permanently in the village of Khomein, where his family gained prominence in religious and social domains.

His son, Ayatollah Mustafa Hindi, became a renowned Islamic theologian, and his grandson, Ruhollah, born in 1902, later became known as Ayatollah Khomeini or Imam Khomeini. Ruhollah Khomeini overthrew the Pahlavi monarchy, significantly altering the Middle East’s political landscape, while preserving his lineage that originated in Uttar Pradesh.

Despite frequent discussions on diplomatic and trade relations between India and Iran, the spiritual and familial connections remain a vital part of Barabanki’s history. Dr Rehan Kazmi, a resident of Rasoolpur in Barabanki, stated, “Ayatollah Khamenei has a connection to the whole of India, and he was the supreme leader of the Shia community. We have learnt the way of life from him. Ayatollah Khamenei does not have a direct connection to Kintoor, but Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the Islamic revolution, his grandfather hailed from here. He migrated to Iran and resided in Khomein. The British regime did not want him to return to India. Ruhollah Khomeini’s father passed away when he was 5 years old, and he was raised by his grandfather.”

Dr Rehan further commented on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US and Israeli strikes on February 28, describing him as “the most trustworthy disciple of Ruhollah Khomeini and was elected as the second leader of the Islamic Republic.” He added, “Ayatollah Khamenei was the most trustworthy disciple of Imam-e-Khomenei, and he was made the Supreme Leader of Iran. Hence, we also have a connection with him. I have heard that some people from Iran came back here to find their ancestral roots. There has been an exchange of letters during the British rule. There is a trust in the name of Ayatollah Khamenei, under which we organise health camps and eye checkups, and we provide free education to students studying in government schools. I also run a free-of-cost education institute under the Trust.”

Syed Nihar Ahmad Kazmi, a resident of Kintoor, highlighted the cultural ties between India and Iran, mentioning that “Iran allowed Indian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia conflict and blockade of trade routes.” He said, “Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini has a direct connection to Kintoor. We have heard that Ayatollah Khamenei was a disciple of Ruhollah Khomeini. There was discrimination against women and alcoholism, so they led the revolution. India and Iran have had an old connection. They had to block the route because of the circumstances, but still they allowed the Indian-flagged ships to pass.”