#.... there are plenty of indians some of whom have probably never even left india who very likely have a white grandfather or great grandfat

[the-greendalehumanbeings]

it’s just weird to see so many people constantly bring up the fact that edwina is 1/4 white whenever they compare edwina and kate in anyway. there is definitely the underlying implication that edwina is not brown enough or something. and this insistence to label and quantify how brown a person is not only weird, it is very much based on american-centric race discourse. 

[avani008]

Historical Make Me Choose! 2. Mughal or Maurya, 8. Religion or Art. Talk About: 3, 6, 9, 15

Make me choose between the Mughal and Maurya dynasties:

This is especially grueling, because--well, luck being on my side--I want to someday write origfic historical fantasy based on both of them. So, to start with, I will take the coward's way out and say both, because they're both entertaining in different ways.

The Mughal dynasty is well-documented, which is amazing for finding out hilarious anecdotes (Hamida Banu dissing Humayun! Akbar's cheetah obsession! Jahangir's hilariously honest autobiography) as well as--reading between the lines--some pretty amazing women. The Mauryas, in contrast, are so spottily documented, we can't even be entirely sure that the Buddhist and Greek/Macedonian sources are even talking about the same events/rulers, but assuming it is so--it's a wild ride, starting with a teenager overthrowing the dominant dynasty and his line conquering most of India within two generations. From a writing standpoint, having so much left empty is a gift, leaving so much available for the imagination. And yet, I wish we knew of more ladies from that history, because what little we do get is so fascinating (Durdhara's family connections and bizarre death! Dharma who sounds steely enough to be a second Kunti! Most of Ashoka's wives, who all seem super strong-minded in their own right.)

Make me choose between studying religion and art.

Oh, religion definitely. Not that art isn't great (it is!), but religion involves so much stories, and such insight into the psychology of any given culture. I had a college instructor who argued that religion and the afterlife told you more than anything about the general optimism/worldview of a culture (ie, Mesopatamia which had erratic floods and a harsh worldview had gods who really didn't care about them; whereas ancient Egypt, with regular floods and prosperity, had an afterlife that, assuming you could get in, was one big party.) Plus, religion affects passing references (how many casual Mahabharata and Ramayana references do you see in India media? Or just in conversation?) and swear words (such that an utterance as hilarious as the word "Zounds" could be an actual profanity. Amazing.)

A historical misconception that you hate.

AHHH there are so many--the inherent classism in deciding Shakespeare couldn't actually be a dude from Stratford, but a university-educated nobleman!--but at the moment, one of the most bemusing is the claim that Mughal princesses were forbidden from marrying. I keep on running into this as fact, and...don't actually see that it has any actual basis in fact, at least not during the reigns of the six major emperors. For evidence, I present the following deep dive:

(behind the cut due to length)

Most of the time I see this cited as "Akbar forbade princesses from marrying" so we'll start with him. Certainly Akbar's aunts and sisters were mostly married, so that's not an issue.

Of Akbar's daughters that I can find: Mahi Begum died young, so she doesn't count. Aram Banu Begum seems to have been --well, if we believe her brother Jahangir--kind of A Lot, despite being her father's favorite, so it seems likely marriage either wasn't her thing, or no one was agreeable to marry her. His other two daughters, Shakr-un-nissa and Khanum Sultan, were both recorded as having married, however, with their marriages arranged by Akbar himself.

But, hey, maybe he came to that decision later. So let's look at his granddaughters: Jahangir had plenty of daughters, and I can't find references to the marriages of all of them (or even how long they lived, for that matter)--at least one, Bahar Banu Begum was married to her cousin Tahmaras, and probably others too. Another of Akbar's granddaughters, Jahan Banu Begum (daughter of Murad) was also married to her cousin Parviz.

Of the generation following: let's put aside Shan Jahan's three daughters for now, since none of them married but i would argue they're a special case. Parviz, who I mentioned before, had one daughter Nadira Banu, who married her cousin Dara Shikoh; his brother Khusrau also had a single daughter Hoshmand, who married (you guessed it!) a cousin. The final granddaughter was Arzani begum, also granddaughter of the disgraced Nur Jahan, about whom I can't find a reputable death date, much less whether or not she was married. So--yes, for the most part, these women all ended up married cousins, but it's not strictly accurate to say they couldn't marry period.

A final note on Aurangazeb, who also gets accused of hte "prevented daughters from marrying" stance: yes, his most prominent daughter Zeb-un-nissa never married, but it certainly seems she had proposals aplenty and her father only vetoed the most prominent because he disapproved of the groom's father (who was his brother. the cousin thing, again.) Two of his other daughters did marry, with no objections recorded.

So honestly? It seems marriage wasn't forbidden by any means. And for those women who didn't--well, is it so impossible to believe that these princesses figured that a life in the imperial harem (which isn't the Orientalist boring fantasy most people imagine, but instead a city of women, with libraries! and schools! and markets! hunt! play chess and polo! From the harem, women could watch politics, or engage in trade, or create architecture, or participate in community service. By no means, it was great, but opportunities sucked all-around for anyone who wasn't a cis-male in that time, and this life must have seemed preferable....) with a loving father/brother was much better than being married to some rando. Plus, esp in the case of Shah Jahan's daughter, their mother died in childbirth, quite infamously--to me, it makes perfect psychological sense that they might all be leery of marriage/childbirth.

A historical figure you think is underrated.

Sadly, most figures from Indian history, but picking one at random: Razia Sultan! Not only awesome for being the first female Muslim ruler in Indian history, but also a really really good one--committed to public service, working for civil rights for the poor and those who didn't share her racial/religious/cultural background, and also open-minded/anti-racist enough to, at the very least, make a man of African descent her foremost advisor and friend. (I ship Razia/Yakut, and NOTP her relationship with Altunia pretty strongly, but even otherwise; she clearly respected Yakut as an equal, which says a lot about her. LOVE HER.

A historical myth/legend/rumour/story (flexible)

Oh, forget it, we're going to talk about Razia and Yakut, or at least the rumor they were romantically involved. A few words on Yakut: he was of Abyssinian ancestry, and actually came to her father's court as a slave, but was soon freed and allowed to rise up the ranks (this was very much a socially accepted Thing in the Mamluk court--more on this later--but he definitely had to face significant racism. Sure, there's no actual proof that he and Razia were involved, but--she made him her Master of the Horse (you know who else did? Elizabeth I for Robert Dudley. Just saying.); she never turned from him, even in the face of nasty rumors, and his loyalty to her meant he died in battle defending her throne; and fwiw, she didn't marry another as long as he lived. It's...questionable, too, how voluntary her marriage to Altunia was to me; certainly, being held hostage by the dude doesn't make for a great start. Now, again like Liz I/Robin Dudley, they could just have been BFFs/platonic soulmates, but if so I don't care--their dynamic is just A+ to me and I love it.

A historical headcanon that you have.

Akbar was dyslexic, and this was the reason behind his famous illiteracy.

[latitudelongitudegratitudein]

A COLLECTION OF MISSED CONNECTIONS

About 4 months ago a guy friend of mine sent me a screenshot of an add on the missed connection section on craigslist and asked if I had been grocery shopping the night before. This is what the add read:

You were the tall brunette with the near perfect body that farted in the bread section last night. I was the tall guy next to you that looked over and asked, “Was that you?” You quickly replied “No … Wasn’t me!” You almost seemed insulted I would ask. As the stink grew you continued to deny your flatulence, but it was evident. I tried to get rid of the stench by waving 2 loafs of ciabatta bread. You proceeded to storm off in an angry manner. You are beautiful and even if you are a liar and fart like a Clydesdale, I’d love to meet up sometime.

I had no idea that such section even existed on Craigslist. Basically,if you meet someone, get some feelings and you don’t get a chance to say anything you can post an add on craigslist; In the hopes the other person sees the add, contacts you and you live happily ever after. Unfortunately, the night before I was working and not farting at some grocery store. I figured I had lost my chance of finding true love, I didn’t meet the one guy who could handle a flatulent Clydesdale.  

However in India I had many missed connections with boys.

I want to start by saying the last thing I came here for was to find a guy, I am (was) on a break from boys. I even put a song called “Time to be Alone” on my India Playlist. I came here to focus my attention volunteering, on myself and travel al little. But life had other plans and lessons for me.

When you travel the unexpected happens and well there you are laughing at the irony. I spent months telling my therapist that most men, or at least in LA where superficial, egotistical, selfish jerks who only wanted one night stands (Maybe not all but a good 70%).

“How am I going to find a nice one, Michelle?! They are all the same”.

Michelle, who has been granted with the patience of a saint, looked me in the eye the way a school teacher looks at a spastic 7 year old,  took a deep breath and said something really wise (She always does) Maybe something about not generalizing. I was not paying attention so I couldn’t tell you what she said.

I probably told her “ Yeah, I know Michelle.”

I could only think “Fuck, I am are screwed for sure. Good luck finding this fucking nice guy”.

I traveled 8,150.95 miles to learn a very important fact: There’s plenty of nice guys out there. They are everywhere in the world.

I don’t know how much God loves math but I met 10 …. 10 out of 10 very nice guys with whom I had “Missed connections” with ( No guys, I did not make out with all 10 of them!) Only 9, just kidding! I know that’s what you are thinking, I know I could have been capable in the past but no, I am just telling you this story tell you what I learned from them.

( I just made out with 1)

#1 Germany

We shall call him Marx, in the honor of Karl Marx. I met him on my 4th day in India, he is really cute, quiet and chill.

I usually don’t go for that type, they are “too nice”; When he looked at me I wanted to smile and hide at the same time.We talked and hung out with our other friends and then one day we kinda had a date. Not planned but dates and things just happen here.

I had to go run errands and he offered to come with me, then he suggested a walk, we went for candy ( He paid for it, the full $20 rupees haha) and then tricked me into a dinner.

He was really really fucking nice and it made me cringe to have someone so interested in my life and stuff. We had Chai tea like 10 times and then he said he would like to have Chai’s with me for a long time. I wanted to pour the scalding Chai on my face to make it disappear but I just smiled like an idiot.

Nothing happened between us. We hung out a couple times more before he left for Sikkim ( He invited me but I went to Bangalore for the wedding) and when he came back, he found out my new room number and went to knock on my door to hang out one last time before he left.

What did I learn: I learned to relx. Even though I don’t always show it, when I am remotely interested in a guy I suffer from Chronophobia, fear of passing time. Millions of questions pop into my mind the first one being What if he just wants to fuck me? (like in LA) What if he tries to kiss me? What if I like it? What if I don’t? What if he wants to hold my hand? What if? What if? What if?.

With him I learned to relax, I stopped freaking out and lived in the moment. I accepted the fact that yeah,  he might have been attracted to me but he also liked drinking gallons of Chai Tea in my company because I’m really cool and Chai is awesome. Thanks Marx.

#2 Chile

“Pablo Neruda”

 We became really good friends, he had a girlfriend, we backpacked India and shared many beds.

Now, nothing happened. We got really close, as close as only backpackers can become after experiencing everything together. He was super nice and told me I looked beautiful a couple of times ( Not trying to get anything from me, just a geniuine compliment). It felt strange. 

 He is good looking, funny, cool and … nice. Did I feel a little anxiety about sharing a bed with him after going for drinks, yes. Was there a brief moment where we shared a strange connection, yes. Did we act on it. No (I’m proud of both of us).

Instead of acting on it we looked at each other, laughed at the ridiculousness of the moment and went to sleep. Towards the end of the trip we had a conversation and he said he had never cheated on his girlfriend, that he had been tempted a couple of times … “ Very recently, Actually” (Oops!) He said :

“If you are with someone because you love them, you are with them wherever you are and that’s it. If you want to fool around with many others, then you break up. I want to be with my girlfriend.”

 I learned form Pablo that there are decent guys out there, decent guys that are good looking, funny and cool. Through him I learned that as humans we are all tempted but we always have a choice. We choose to act on impulse or pause.

 I am not proud to say in the past I have kissed guys, guys who are someone’s boyfriend. I had no remorse, I have always been a person who acts on impulse and I never gave a shit…  I am learning to pause.

 Thanks Pablo!

#3 Argentina

EL CHE

We met in our backpacking trip, we only hung out for a couple of days. I was traveling with 5 more people by then and we had activities planned out for everyday.

 He dropped his plans and joined us, we rented scooters and drove to a few villages. I had no clue there was any interest from his part until I said I was going to Town to do some jewelry shopping and he offered to come. ( I also thought, he might be gay) He wasn’t.

 We talked and turned out to be really smart, cool, nice and reserved. Passionate about many things but about food, he spoke of how much he liked cooking and that I should go visit him in Argentina and he would cook for me. Then he looked at me “weird” and I saw it for a second like the “like” look, it was totally unexpected and I was confused more than anything.

 After an hour in Town, the girls arrived and we all went for dinner together. He left that night.

 I learned from him that sometimes we don’t pay attention and pass on smart, nice guys that are interested in us. That maybe not all guys will come up to you and flirt. I learned to pay attention to the quiet guys too.

#4 INDIA

Karan 

That is his real name, he was a really nice Indian bro I met. 

Long story short, I was told a guy hurt 2 of the puppies that lived outside Mother house ( We played with them and I knew those puppies). I went to take a look and both of them had, had their arms broken by a fucking guy …. Like why?

Juliette (another volunteer) and I picked up the dogs and started walking on the way to the vet canine, or so we were told. We walked for like 30 minutes trying to find the clinic, the puppies where whimpering and we could tell they where in too much pain. I didn’t know why I was carrying a stray dog, I didn’t know what was going to happen, I didn’t know if the area was safe,  and for a moment I thought the one I was carrying might die. The people on the street don’t understand how people can care for animals so they laugh and look at you weird.

I tried my best but when I thought my puppy was dying I felt the tears streaming down my face. I know I am a loser and the thought of having her die on my arms made me want to faint. I didn’t , instead we found Karan who took us to the vet and waited 5 hours for the doctor to look at the dogs. 

The dogs are okay now, the vet probably felt bad for us and didn’t charge us and Karan wanted to spend more time with me and see me again.

Indian men are not my cup of tea when it comes to looks but he was the good looking kind an all, but I didn’t feel it. He invited me to bars and concerts and well I was not too interested in those activities in Kolkata. 

I learned there are guys out there that care about the same things as you do ( Like puppies) and that are good and willing to help strangers. 

P.S The puppies are okay now! 

#5 INDIA II

Good Night, “Nasheeli Ankay”

This was a very quick missed connection with another Indian guy, whose name I don’t remember. We where in the hostel lobby, I picked up a book, eyeing the pages to see if seemed interesting. This guy introduced himself and started telling me about it.. In Hindi. After I clarified I wasn’t Indian he re-introduced himself and told me about the book. 

He was very passionate and if I were a complete Sapiosexual I might have found it super hot. Even though he wasn’t my type at all he was super nice though so I paid attention to him, then when he talked a little and I excused myself to go to my room. I was exhausted. 

Before I left he asked if I knew what “Nasheeli Ankay” meant in Hindi and I guessed good night. He laughed and told me you should google it, it’s what you have.

I thought he couldn’t possibly know about my venereal diseases ( Kidding!) I smiled and said good night. 

I googled it and I found this in a blog:

“It does mean intoxicating eyes. that means your eyes are so beautiful that I could get lst in them. like when people drink booze, they get soo lost in it they become drunk. kinda the same concept”

Maybe he was drunk haha. Maybe that’s why my eyes seemed extra glassy to him or something

I learned from him that: Compliments still make me a little uncomfortable haha and I learned that it doesn’t matter I am not interested  in someone, I should never be mean, rude or arrogant. I have said some very nasty things to guys in bars that have tried talking to me. No one deserves to be treated like shit, no matter how the look like, dress like or talk about. They deserve attention and to be treated politely. Maybe they turn out to be really cool, maybe you end up becoming friends with them. 

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Im trying not to.

#6 MEXICO 

VOLDEMORT, The one who shall note be named.

You probably know who he is already. I have known Voldemort since I was 13, I had a crush on him for about 12 years. He is the guy my family would like me to marry, his family would like me to marry him too. ( He lives in a different City btws)

Problem? He never showed any interest, for pride reasons neither did I. At 18 we kissed and it was not good and I was a bitch after -_- hehe and then at 21, on a very honest, drunk moment on NYE I told him I had always liked him. 

He told me he had always liked me too but sometimes I was a bitch and a little finicky. I laughed and we kissed. He said maybe one day he would come visit me in LA and I said “Cool”. 

One year later he moved to Thailand for his MBA. It has been about 4 years. Guess what Country is 2 hours away from Thailand …India. I talked to him before going to India and said I might go to Thailand ( I have always wanted to see Thailand and well, two birds with one stone). 

I planned the trip with one of my friends to spend NYE in Thailand and talked to him before so he would recommend a hotel etc. He offered his house and I said yes.

We went the trip was super cool, Thailand is beautiful, the food was amazing but this post isn’t about the place.

Voldemort was really nice, he did everything right and behaved like a gentleman but I realized I was no longer attracted to him, and unlike The Beauty and The Beast there was nothing there. It had vanished, at least from my part but I feel from his too. 

We spoke and a few things he said where kind of a turn off because we think and see life differetly like the fact he works as the manager of a restaurant and hates it ( I know I work in the service Industry) but it’s because I have auditions and shorts to shoot. He does it because it pays okay and he can travel. 

His concept of traveling in Asia and Pakistan include lots of partying, too much alcohol and women. Not a lot about getting to see the cool things about other Countries. 

He has no plans for his future, no inspiration or aspirations. He seldom talks to his family since he left and drinks probably 4 days out of the week. I don’t think we want the same things in life and well, that’s life. I was not disappointed or anything, the trip was great regardless and it was cool because we had been friends before anything happened. 

#7 FRANCE

NAPOLEON

This is a very short story , he was super cute and not into me at all. In the beginning I was kind of annoyed. Like, Why? Then I remembered that I was not there for the guys and not everyone has to be into you. You get over it, you did nothing wrong, there is a reason for everything.

#8 SPAIN

Pablo

The one I did make out with and had a 14 hour date. I learned from Pablo that I can be myself in a date and survive. Of course didn’t show the psycho parts, those come later once they guy is hooked ;) No but seriously, I was able to share personal things about me. I didn’t die.

 I learned he had our wedding planned out, and all guys talk shit at some point. It’s part of the game and it is important to find the humor in it.

 Lastly, I didn’t feel awkward when I told him I wouldn’t sleep with him. It didn’t matter how “Romantic” it sounded, our last night in India together etc. Yes, it was nice and if I had felt like doing it I probably would have ( I listen to myself more now) but I wasn’t feeling it. I told him, he understood. He texts me till this day.

#9 BELGIUM 

I met this guy on new years, we started talking and we hit it off. He said some nice shit and I thought “ Huh … interesting”, I mean I was in Thailand and it has been soooooo long since I have had a casual encounter with a stranger. Maybe about 2 years.

I was tempted, really. I could either give him the look and grab his beautiful face or I could pause my thoughts and talk to him a little longer. Surprisingly, I choose the latter. 

Later I realized that he was a little desperate to just hook up with anyone, I wasn’t and so I left. 

I realized I have learned to respect myself and my body ( Not that casual hook ups are wrong) I think it’s just better when there is at least a connection and not just desperation. 

#10 POLAND 

The same night I met the guy from Belgium I met a Polish bro. I was on my way back from the bathroom when someone put a hand on my arm, I turned an there he was. The guy who had helped me start the scooter when I had trouble with it earlier that day. 

Not a looker, but a very nice bro. We talked for a while but I was sleepy and ready to go home. After half an hour I told him I was leaving and it had been nice meeting him. I could have stayed and talked because of guilt, but I didn’t feel bad I wasn’t interested in him, I had been nice to him and I was really tired. 

I learned that you can still be polite and“reject” people in ways the don’t feel rejected or hurt. 

Thanks to this 10 bros, my faith in the opposite sex has been restored. I believe there are many decent guys out there and they are everywhere in the world. Im thankful I learned from this really nice ones, I no longer believe that they are all vain, superficial, cheaters who just want to get laid. 

[lostbandar]

History of Delhi is a story of Muslim Sultans with whom came the culture which resides in the houses even today. This story is of the Sufi saint whose shrines still light up our lives. Persian traders who with them brought the technique of Zari also left their language in the Bazaars of Delhi. And the British officers who taught us their etiquettes 1739 Nadir Shah looted and devastated Delhi, for months the streets were filled with tears and blood, but one thing that even he was not able to take was the taste of Delhi.

  My parents were born in undivided India and were the lucky ones who survived the massacre at partition. My grandmother used to tell me about how each evening people would gather around a large Tandoor to make Rotis taking turns. Very few original Delhiites remain, and this city became the city of refugees. I’ve been born and brought up in Delhi, like many I was oblivious to the various layers this city has, and all the monuments were ruins which looked all the same. As my love for the town grew I became a travel professional taking people along to unravel each layer.

Geographical Relevance 

Today the population of Delhi is around 20 million and as the name suggests is the heart of India. If you look at our map, we’ve a 5000 km of coastline. Water protected us, so all the invasions happened from north-west of our country. Coming from Kabul – Lahore – Punjab you naturally entered the Gangetic planes. This made Delhi geographically relevant. Fertile, safe and a perfect stronghold for thousands of soldiers. On these very passages of conquest, the great exchange of religion culture and cuisine took place over a period of 1500 years. In the northern region, we have more varieties of grains and beyond central India, we consume more rice due to the hot and humid climate.

The modern city of Delhi is built over seven layers of various dynasty’s from the 12th century till the 20th. Food of Delhi was the food of Chauhans- Rajputs – Jats – Gurjars, then came the Sultanate period which lasted from 1192 till 1526, Turko Afghan food came to Delhi – bringing Tandoors, Sherbets and Pan. And then with the Mughals who rules us for more than 300 years came the Persian influence, and so came various traders and their eating habits. In other words, the Age of plenty has never ended here as it was the capital for more than 1000 years. That meant that the best of the best from around the world would be available in Delhi.

IBN E Batuta one of the worlds greatest traveller came to India in the 1330s during the Tughlaq dynasty. He noted that due to various attacks on Delhi people started storing rice in walls. When he saw them taking the rice out from walls they had turned dark in colour and tasted better. Along with its various meat preparations and birds like Grey Partridge(titar and bater) were being cooked too.

    STORY OF SHAHJAHANABAD –

Today the true essence of Delhi lies within Old Delhi – Shahjahanabad. The 17th century – Old Delhi is what authentic Delhi is and rest I would say is all around it. Walls of Old Delhi are not walls but curtains – behind which you find the delicately made food with love. The day here did not start until you heard the morning Azaan and the streets around Jama Masjid were Filled with smells of nihari.

Being inaugurated in 1640 this city was built by the same person who commissioned the construction of Taj and at the same time. When the city was being constructed the personal physician of Shahjahan went up to him and told him that each person in this city is going to have an upset stomach as the Yamuna water is not drinkable. When asked for a solution he advised to add spices in food and to balance the effect of spice they should add clarified butter. So for Non-Vegetarians, they added spices and Ghee to all meat dishes, and for Vegetarians they made Chat which is both spicy tangy. And this what makes the street food of Delhi popular all over the country. In the Bazaars of old Delhi which have become a wholesale market, shopping and street food go hand in hand.

As you are looking at jewellery in the narrow lanes of Maliwara near Chandni Chowk the shop owner would order his boys to get Kachori from Jung Bahadur, Bhalle from Natraj and Mattra kulcha from Kinari.  It is this experience which brings you back again and again.

Another Farman(Order) given by Shahjahan was that the women of the fort will not go out to shop, the shops come to them. So along your carpets and spices came a movable feast which continues to be the pride of old Delhi residents. Khomche wale- the concept of a moveable feast is something unique to the lifestyle of a Delhiite. The person comes once a day – Makes things fresh and with such care that people change their plans to be around when its time for him to come.

Daulat Ki Chat

  Paranthey Wali Gully

Well after the Mutiny in 1857 against East India Company which started in Meerut and ended in Delhi was over and we were now under the Queen. A family from madMadhya Pradesh (central India) decided to move to Old Delhi. Continuing the tradition of old delhi he started deep frying his paranthas in Ghee (clarified butter) and have been serving them to the revolutionaries, the first prime minister and to film stars since 1875.

Sweets of Delhi – Once in Delhi two rich merchants Mir Sahab and Lalajee were discussing food. Mir Sahab said “Maas Bina Ghaas Rasoi” if there is no meat in a meal it’s like eating grass  – well the reply he got was that “Khand bina sab rand rasoi” without sweets there can be no food … Some people can’t do without korma and kebabs, and some can’t do without Sweets.

The Holy Cow gives us the most important ingredient – Milk used to make most of the sweets made in Delhi. Till the Portuguese arrived in India there was no concept of Cottage Cheese or a Rasgulla. If milk curdled it was considered as inauspicious. We love dessert so much that one shop is named after it – Hazari Lal Jain Khurchan waley. Khurchan is a dessert which is prepared by reducing milk on slow heat till only a layer is left in the container. Six such layers topped with pistachio makes Khurchan one of the specialities of Delhi

Just like the serpentine lanes of old Delhi, we get dessert over here called the Jalebi, which has Arab origins where it used to be called as Zalebia. Made from Besan and maida it is deep-fried in Ghee and then dipped in a sugar syrup which has saffron in it. It will not be wrong to say that the sugar syrup which drips from jalebi probably united the whole country.

Khansamas(Chefs) from the kitchens of Red Fort

In 1658 when Aurangzeb imprisoned his father and left for Deccan the Red Fort in Delhi came under the control of his loving sister Roshanara Begum. Every evening the rich ladies, nobles and Amirs of the city and from Haram would arrive in the Khas Mahal for a splendid feast. They would be welcomed with Paan, Sherbet and attar sprayed on them. As they got settled and welcomed Roshnara begum by bowing down in respect the feast would start. Some 200 hundred dishes prepared by 200 chefs made from materials procured from around the world would be served.

Few of the people who stayed back started eateries like Karim’s in Old Delhi. One of the popular dishes apart from other delicacies is Mutton Ishtew, an Anglo Indian dish made in the kitchens David Ochterlony the first resident of Delhi. He had 13 wives, dressed like Mughals and conducted lavish parties each evening. His cook made this dish (meat 1 Kg – 400 gm Onion – 1kg Tomato – 1kg Curd – Whole Ginger & Garlic – ghee ). Mutton stew or other meat dishes in Delhi are eaten with Khamere Roti. Khameer means yeast- Yeasting goes back to 2000 BC, ie 4000 years ago in Egypt, and it reached India in the 13th century in India with Central Asian people. various types of  breads are prepared with this process like Dessert Rotis – Bakharkhani – Sheermal – Kulcha

Khari Baoili one of Asia’s biggest spice market was set up in 1551 by Sher Shah Suri near the prominent Lahori Gate of Shahjahanabad. Stores here have been running for around 11 generations and being on the trade route – Ingredients like gum- Silver /gold foil – long pepper etc were available to serve Dilli walas. The first references of dates can be traced to almost 3000 years ago from excavation done in the Old Fort area of Delhi, and with it traces of the use of grains like Wheat, Jawar – barley – Meats –  a Beer called Fukka and a Wine called Sura.

Nizammudin Dargah

  “Kabhi Iss jagah se Guzar ke toh dekho                                                                                     badi raunque hai fakiro ke dere”

Sufism in Delhi A Sufi is considered as a pure soul, and it is believed that if you have your grave built near a Sufi dargah you would be allowed into the heavens with the blessings of The Sufi. It has been an age-old tradition to give free food and help the poor or travellers coming to the city. It is said that at the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in the times of Sultan Allaudin Khilji, everything that was collected was distributed every third day. Langar which ran 24 hrs ran all through the year was food cooked in large quantities for the purpose of charity. The lanes leading up to the Dargah are filled with places selling Nahari and Kebabs.

  Bengali Food

In 1911 when the British shifted the capital from Calcutta to Delhi few businessmen and traders shifted their base, and later when East Pakistan was converted to Bangladesh in 1960’s a large number of refugees came to Delhi. One such very affluent colonies today was a place allotted to refugees.  Chittaranjan Park is a piece of Bengal where you get Kolkatta style rolls and the best of Bengali sweets among other things.

Jhal Muri

Bengali Sweets

Rolls

  My relation with Delhi has been like a traditional  Indian arranged marriage, this meeting was arranged by my parents, and now I can’t imagine living without the other. I have fallen in love with the Tehzeeb of Delhi. So be our guest and as you remove the curtains before you enter within, you’ll find people, sights, sounds and smells all welcoming you with warm hearts and delicious food.

Old Delhi Havelis and Food Walk

  Age of Plenty- History of Delhi through its Food History of Delhi is a story of Muslim Sultans with whom came the culture which resides in the houses even today.