Muslims from western Asia brought the Mughlai cuisines to India in the 12th century when Mughal rulers conquered a large portion of India. During the Mughal dynasty, these dishes were prepared for the Mughal Emperors for elegant dining with dry fruits and nuts. The rich, aromatic food culture was raised during the Mughal period in India. Apart from giving the greatest architectural monuments, the Mughals have also changed the country"s cooking by merging Middle Eastern cuisine with Indian spices and ingredients. The taste of Mughlai food vary from extremely mild to spicy and is often associated with a distinctive aroma and the taste of ground and whole spices.
Several Food Preparations of Mughal Period
Mughlai cuisine is one of the most richest, popular and lavish cuisines in the country. These are pretty spicy and have unique fragrance. The cooking method includes lots of milk and cream with exotic spices, nuts and dried fruits to make it rich and spicy. Biryani, Korma, Palau and Pasanda are some of the famous Mughlai cuisine. The Mughlai cuisine full of rich gravies, pilafs and non-vegetarian foods such as kebabs, along with the fruits like apricots, peaches, plums and melons contoured the structure of the Indian food while offering it a distinct dimension.
When Babur invaded India he brought his stylish food habits such as grilled meats along with different varieties of fruits and nuts from Central Asia. His son Humayun continued this tradition and also introduced a new tradition of rice-based pilafs and using of fruits and nuts in the meat stews in India. Marriages of Mughal rulers to several Rajput princesses added a new dimension to the Mughal cuisines. The reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan, marked the evolvement of bountiful dishes in Indian cuisine. In the mean time, the Nizams of Hyderabad developed Biryani as their own style of cooking, which is now considered as one of the main dishes in India.
Apart from the introduction of new dishes, the influence of Mughlai cuisine on Indian Food also presented the novel idea of using aromatic spices in cooking. Mughlai food is quite spicy.
Cooking Methods in Mughal Period
Mughlai cuisine is a style of cooking developed in South Asia by the imperial kitchens of the Muslim Mughal Empire. It represents the cooking styles used in North India, Pakistan and Hyderabad. The cuisine is strongly influenced by the Central Asian cuisine, the region where the Mughal rulers originally hailed from, and it has in turn strongly influenced the regional cuisines of Kashmir and the Punjab region.
Related Articles
History of Indian Food
Food in Ancient India
Indian Food
Mughal Dynasty
Mughal Emperors
Agriculture in Mughal India
Major Crops of Mughal India
Culture under Mughal Dynasty
Foundation of Mughal Empire
Downfall of the Mughal Empire
Agrarian Crisis in Mughal India
Irrigation System in Mughal India
Rural Cottage Industry in Mughal India
Wedding in Mughal Period
