An Indian man from the north-eastern state of Mizoram who is believed to be the head of world's largest family, died on Sunday at the age of 76, BBC reported.
Ziona Chana, the head of a religious sect called “Chana Pawl” that practiced polygamy reportedly left behind 38 wives, 89 children and 36 grandchildren.
Mizoram's Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who uses only one name, confirmed the news and offered his condolences on Twitter.
"With heavy heart, #Mizoram bid farewell to Mr Zion-a (76), believed to head the world's largest family, with 38 wives and 89 children," he wrote.
According to PTI news agency, Chana was suffering from diabetes and hypertension.
On Sunday evening, he was rushed to the hospital after his condition deteriorated at home in his village, Baktawng Tlangnuam.
He was declared dead on arrival, BBC reported citing PTI.
It is difficult to say whether Chana was actually the head of the biggest family in the world, as there are others who claim the title.
It's also difficult to estimate Chana's family size. According to one report, he had 39 wives, 94 children, 33 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, totalling 181.
There are various local news reports that suggests that Chana was holding the "world record" for having such a large family, however, it's still unclear which global record it is.
According to reports, the family has been featured twice on the popular TV show Ripley's Believe it or Not.
However, world record or not, Chana and his family have become something of a local sensation, attracting visitors to their town in India's northeast.
The massive family resides in a four-story house with 100 rooms known as "Chuuar Than Run" or "New Generation House," which is also a major tourist attraction in the state. According to local media, his wives live in a dormitory near Chana's private bedroom.
Chana was born in 1945. He met his oldest wife, who is three years older than him, when he was 17, Reuters reported.
Chana Pawl is a Christian sect founded by his father in 1942, which has around 2,000 followers. They all live around Chana's house in Baktawng Tlangnuam, about 55km from Mizoram's capital, Aizawl.
