Food That Shaped India’s History: Dishes With a Story!

India’s food culture reflects the subcontinent’s diversity, shaped over centuries by invasions, trade and cultural exchanges. Each dish has a legacy, a story of how it was created and why it continues to be a favorite part of the country’s identity. From royal kitchens to street stalls, the food of India evokes narratives of power, migration, innovation and even rebellion. Here’s a look at five dishes that do more than tantalize taste buds: They resonate with the echoes of history.



Biryani is often thought to be a Mughal creation, but its roots go deeper. Some believe the dish was introduced to India by Persian travelers and merchants, while others how it was the result of an indigenous preparation perfected by the Mughals. According to legend, the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal, once visited the army barracks only to find the soldiers weak from undernourishment. She ordered the cooks to make a dish that included meat, rice, and spices, which is how we get the Biryani we love today. Over the years other parts of the country also put their spin on the dish; Hyderabad, Lucknow, Malabar and Kolkatta for example, and this love changed the taste and style of preparation of the dish from region to region.



Butter Chicken, a dish that has become synonymous with Indian cuisine around the world, was created purely out of necessity and not by design. In the 1950s, some chefs at Delhi’s well-known Moti Mahal restaurant found themselves with leftover tandoori chicken. To not waste it, they simmered it with butter and cream in a tomato-based gravy, and created a dish that quickly became legendary. Today Butter Chicken is an icon for North Indian cuisine, always enjoyed for its creamy richness and velvety quality.



We call it "Rogan Josh," but as it happens, this is a dish that moved through time, first from Persia before settling into the stunning valleys of Kashmir. Mughals who were fabulous patrons of good food and brought it to India where it fused with Kashmiri cuisines. The name ‘Rogan Josh’ means ‘red heat,’ which is a reference to the red colour using Kashmiri chilies. Traditionally made with slow-cooked lamb, this dish is still a jewel of Kashmiri Wazwan feasts.



There is much mystery surrounding Idli and Dosa's origins, with several theories claiming to explain how they evolved. Some say the dish was inspired by Indonesian merchants and others that it has been part of South Indian cuisine for over a millennium. Tenth-century Tamil literature mentions Idli for the first time. From simple steamed rice cakes emerged an entire range of variations, including the crispy Dosa and the soft spongy Idli for example, both of which can now be found as breakfast staples all over the world.



Pani Puri — also known as Golgappa or Puchka — is one of India’s most popular street foods, but where it came from is a matter of debate. Its origins are said to date back to the Mahabharata, when the princess Draupadi, facing limited resources, made a dish out of wheat dough and filling. Others argue that it originated in the streets of Magadha, an ancient kingdom in what is now Bihar. But Pani Puri, wherever it may have originated from, is a testament to innovation and perseverance in Indian food culture.

Every dish in India’s immense culinary repertoire holds a piece of history, an embodiment of the travels of emperors, traders, migrants and ordinary people. Whether it’s the majestic Biryani, the serendipitous Butter Chicken or the gracious Pani Puri, Indian cuisine is more than food; it’s an archive filled with the traditions, innovations and cultural influences that make it alive and breathing. The next time you enjoy these dishes, remember that you are tasting a slice of history, handed down through the generations, refined over the centuries and loved to this day.