Food is a substance which is one of the basic requirements of the human beings as a condition of living. It is composed primarily of carbohydrates, fats, water and proteins which can be eaten or drunk by an animal or human for nutrition or for pleasure. Food is sourced from plants, animals or from fermented products. Since the inception of man, food has been a major area of concern. Ancient Era in Indian Food can be considered the period when men started to seek after food items through hunting and gathering. Indian history of food is as old as mankind itself.
Humans are the only species in the whole world, known to build fire, cook food as well as wear clothes. The moment from when man realised the requirement of food, they had spent hundreds and thousands of years in order to gather food. A hunter-gatherer method was the primary means of collection of food. They used to gather both stationary foods such as fruits, grains, tubers, and mushrooms, insect larvae and aquatic mollusks as well as wild beasts. The wild game of hunting and killing in order to consume brought the concept of meat eating.
Human beings are essentially omnivorous who are capable of consuming both plant and animal products. They used to shift base according to the availability food sources in regions of habitation. When men discovered fire they added the concept of cooking and the process of Bar- B -que may have been originated since then. Thus this ability to control fire brought about a major change in the habits of early humans. Making fire made it possible for people to cook food, increasing the variety and availability of nutrients. Though in the Stone Age, the countries were not demarcated geographically, yet, certain evidences indicates that Ancient Era in Indian Food may have been initiated in the Narmada Valley in Central India indicate which was inhabited between 200,000 to 500,000 years ago.
About ten thousand years ago, humans started to settle down near the river basins. In the Indian Sub continent agriculture developed various food products by 9000 BCE and domestication of sheep and goat soon started. The earliest known civilisation, Indus Valley Civilisation in the 2600-1900 BCE had actually added to the Ancient Era in Indian Food. Indian Cooking is 4000 year old and in the 2000 BC origins of Indian history of food commenced.
Ancient Era in Indian Food also demonstrates the period when caste system was initiated. Food habit was decided according to the division of the society. Hence with the coming of religion concept of food habit changed. Various rulers and travellers visited India and this enriched the food of the country. Influences of invaders and travellers were prominently seen in the food habit and its preparation.
