Mansooruddin Faridi/ New Delhi

Zubair-ur-Rehman, affectionately known as Baban Mian, is a Pathan farmer whose unwavering devotion to cow protection has earned him respect and recognition across communities.

Inspired by his late mother’s love for cows, he has become a Gopalak, a traditional caretaker of cows, nurturing a growing herd of 90 cows and 16 calves at his farm in Chandiyana village, Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh

Baban Mian feeding a calf in his cow shelter

His farm named Madhusudan Gaushala, in tribute to Lord Krishna, also known as Madhusudan, and is therefore a symbolic gesture of communal harmony and India’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.

Speaking to Awaz The Voice, Baban Mian shared, “After my mother passed away, I established a gaushala in her memory and named it Madhusudan Gaushala. It was her passion that turned me into a Gopalak.”

His mother, Hamid-un-Nisa Begum, had a deep reverence for cows and often expressed hope that her family would continue this tradition. After her passing away in 2015, Baban Mian fulfilled that promise, transforming a family legacy into a mission of social unity and cultural preservation.Baban Mian feeding a cow in his cow shelter

What began as a modest shelter of 20–25 cows has his venture has since flourished into a thriving sanctuary forh over 100 bovines. Located in Chandiyana, a historic Pathan village in the Siyana tehsil, Madhusudan Gaushala reflects a unique blend of tradition and progress.

Chandiyana itself carries a storied legacy, one of the "Barah Basti" (Twelve Settlements) established by Pathans during the reign of Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century. Families migrated here with Isa Khan Niazi, preserving their distinct heritage while integrating into the cultural fabric of northern India.

Babban Mian receiving 'Bharat Faurav Award 2021' by Arif Mohammad Khan

At a time when sections of society associate cow-related debates with division, Baban Mian’s work sends a different message -- one of inclusivity, faith, and shared culture. Despite stereotypes associated with Muslims and cow slaughter, Baban proudly affirms, “Taking care of cows runs in our blood. It’s a part of our family tradition that goes back nearly 50 years.”

The choice of “Madhusudan” as the gaushala’s name is intentional, symbolising a bridge between faiths and showcasing India’s enduring syncretic culture. “We are proud of our Ganga-Jamuni heritage. It’s this culture that shows the true beauty of India. That’s why we can say, ‘Saare jahaan se achha Hindustan hamara’,” he says.

Despite the success and media attention, Baban Mian has not sought support from NGOs or government. “We’ve never raised banners or asked for aid. God has blessed us with enough. This is not a business; it’s a seva a sacred duty,” he shares.

His family, with agricultural land, mango orchards, and a real estate business in Delhi, could have chosen many paths. But Baban insists, “The respect and identity that Madhusudan Gaushala has brought my family is something money can’t buy.”

Baban Mian in Madhusudan Gaushala

The gaushala has grown into a symbol of communal unity, drawing interest from public figures and celebrities alike. Notable visitors include actor Raza Murad, the cast of popular soap Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain, wrestler Sushil Kumar, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, BJP leader Maneka Gandhi, singer Anuradha Paudwal, and boxer Sangram Singh.

His family, with agricultural land, mango orchards, and a real estate business in Delhi, could have chosen many paths. But Baban insists, “The respect and identity that Madhusudan Gaushala has brought my family is something money can’t buy.”

Madhusudhan Gaushala

Their visits are not just ceremonial; they signal admiration for a man who chose peace over politics, heritage over headlines, and service over spectacle.

Baban Mian’s Madhusudan Gaushala is more than just a cow shelter, it’s a beacon of cultural pride, religious harmony, and personal devotion.

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It defies stereotypes and exemplifies how traditions can unify, not divide. At a time when identity is often politicized, Baban Mian quietly reminds us that true service speaks for itself and that sometimes, the most powerful messages come from the most humble villages.