India possesses a rich heritage, ethnicity and diversity in culture, custom as well as food habit. Most of these features of the country are frequent contribution of various religions and different invasions. There has been a lot of change in the cuisine and the cooking style of the Indians since its very origin. The culinary of the country has been influenced by the Aryans in the past.
Aryans
Aryans are the people who came to the Indian subcontinent thousands of years before the birth of Christ. This race entered India with their culture and spread and influenced the Indians. Along with the most ancient religion Hinduism, the Aryans started influencing the Indian Culinary also. Indian Culinary Influences by Indian Invasion were seen in the Vedic period when the Aryans invaded the country. Aryan Influence on Indian Food introduced the concept of modern cooking techniques.
Influence of Aryans on Indian Food
Many recipes first emerged during the Vedic period, when India was invaded by the Aryans. The Aryans set up the idea of agriculture and domestication. Around 7000 BC, sesame, eggplant, and humped cattle had been domesticated. The concept of cattle rearing originated from the Aryan Influence on Indian Food. The cattle were domesticated in order to obtain milk from them. In addition to that, cattle were regarded sacred by the Aryans and thus they were worshipped. Though non- vegetarianism was inspired by the Aryans, yet cows were the only animal which was never slaughtered for food.
One of the most important contributions of the Aryans to the Indian Culinary was Sugar. Sugarcane juice was used as a popular beverage. In addition to that an intoxicating drink called `Soma` became an intriguing food of the Aryans. Soma was offered to the Gods and drunk by the priests and worshippers during religious rituals. It was used to heal various diseases.
Spices such as turmeric, cardamom, black pepper and mustard were results of Aryan Influence on Indian Food. A balanced diet that consisted of fruits, vegetables, meat, grain, dairy products and honey were consumed. However, over a period of time, people also embraced vegetarianism. Food classification system was developed by the Aryans and it was categorised as saatvic, raajsic or taamsic. This concept further developed Ayurveda. Ayurveda is the science of food and in this one can find detailed description of the each food along with its benefits.
The philosophy of Aryans regarded food as part of the "cosmic cycle." Each food was estimated to have a powerful effect on the body and the mind. Aryan Influence on Indian Food contributed the development of mind, body and spirit. During the Aryan period, the cuisine of the Great Hindu Empires concentrated on the fine aspects of food. Moreover, an understanding of its essence and how it contributed to the development of mind, body and spirit was also researched. After this Aryan period, the cuisine was influenced by various other conquests from other cultures. The foreign influences in the Indian Culinary indicated a religious and social identity. Hinduism in India originated with the coming of the Aryans, the eating style and choice of food was also highly influenced by the Aryan Invasion.
