EVOLUTION OF. INDIAN COOKING




 

Indian Cooking, which dates back nearly 5000 years, had evolved considerably when in the early days, the influence was mainly from Hindu Scriptures to the influence of Mughal Cooking when they invaded India and ruled over it for many, many years. Then came the European influence due to colonization, when many Europeans like the French, Portuguese and British ruled over India, amongst others. The shrinking of the world due to globalization has led to international influence on Indian Cooking. So, today Indian cooking is an amalgamation of various influences. However, the predominant influences remain Vedic and Mughal.

It would be fair to state that Indian Culture has influenced its food. India, before independence,  was a cluster of kingdoms. The various palaces had their kitchens,  with chefs preparing dishes to suit the taste of their rulers and continuously trying to create new dishes and improving upon the existing ones. The local homes, too, developed their recipes depending on the seasonal availability of the various ingredients.

During the pre-Mughal era, the influence of Hindu Scriptures on Indian Cooking was evident. Though not strictly vegetarian. The caste system also influenced the food habits of the people. The upper caste cuisine was strictly vegetarian, with a strong belief that it was superior and healthier. Whereas the lower caste cuisine also included various types of meat. The influence of the caste system persists.

The Mughals brought a varied range of Mughlai cuisine, which merged with the existing Indian cuisine. Afghan influence has also been considerable, particularly in the bread baked in tenders. The Mughals introduced Indian Cooking with many spices. The various gravies that one finds on an Indian menu are a contribution of the Mughals. Rice became popular due to the Mughal influence, and Biryani is the most famous of the Rice dishes even today. The influence of the Mughals in southern India was limited. However, that did not restrict or contain the influence of Mughal cuisine. Though the South Indian dishes used different spices from the ones that were used in the North, bringing about some variation in the taste.   The Mughal era's influence on Indian Cooking is very apparent even today.

The Europeans, with their entries into various pockets of India, brought in many more new ingredients into Indian Cooking resulting in varying degrees of changes. Tomatoes, in particular, were not, till the Europeans came, a common ingredient as it is today. Goan cuisine, in particular, has a strong Portuguese influence. We will discuss this in more detail when we discuss regional Indian Cooking. Similarly, the French-influenced the Pondicherry cuisine. Before the Britishers came, alcohol-based drinks in India were limited and local. The Britishers introduced brewing in India. The British, too, introduced new ingredients to Indian Cooking that expanded the range of Indian Cuisine.

Deals of The Day on Hazel Cookware

Though today's Indian Cooking has a more Mughal influence, the imprint of European influence also thrives.

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