What are popular Indian foods? Historical Prospective

Over time foods became popular based on religion or being favorite of some famous person. Some of the foods stood the test of time and remain popular

1. Kheer (Rice Pudding)

Rice pudding is mentioned in Mahabharata and Ramayana. Kheer Ghee and sesame seeds are offered to Goddess Durga on Navratri.

2. Sharbat e Julabmost (Rose syrup)

This was a favorite beverage of Babar, the first Mogul emperor of India. Modern version is called Sharbat e Rooh Afza, it has Rose and Screwpine.

3. Khichri (Rice and split skinless Mung beans)

The royal kitchen of Akbar the great was instructed to have this dish ready on demand at any time of day or night. Akbar liked to eat Khichri with a side of yogurt. Khichri was also favorite of Jahangir, and Aurangzeb. Jahangir loved nuts and Ghee in Khichri. Alam-Giri Khichri is named after Aurangzeb, it has nuts and ghee.

4. Falooda

Jahangir was the first Mogul emperor born to a Hindu mother. His favorite was Falooda. Jahangir was addicted to opium and alcohol. Use of opium became fashionable. Finally, it will start to dwindle during British Raj

5. Chicken Curry, Naan

Shahjahan the Mogul emperor who will build Taj Mahal made Tandoori cooking and Dum cooking popular. His favorite items were Chicken curry and Naan. Biryani and Tandoori chicken were prepared for public functions.

6. Bajra Roti (Millet flat bread)

Aurangzeb was one of the last Mogul emperors. Aurangzeb was a devout Moslem and a vegetarian. He ate Khichri,  Bajra Roti, and drank water from Ganges river

7. Biryani

Biryani was initially introduced by Shahjahan. Nizam of Hyderabad created its own version called Kutchi Biryani. Nawab of Lucknow created his own version called Pakki Biryani.

8. Makhni Chicken, Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken was introduced by Shahjahan. Moti Mahal Restaurant created Makhni Chicken and re-invented Tandoori Chicken. Jawahar Lal Nehru was the first prime minister of India. Nehru loved Tandoori Chicken , Makhni chicken and Naan. During state-dinners, visiting heads-of-states came to know these items as the Indian foods

9. Vegetable Korma

Mrs. Indra Gandhi was the first woman prime minister of India. Her favorite dish was Vegetable Korma

10. Chicken Tikka Masala

It was created by Indian restaurants during late 1950s in UK. In 1980s, restaurants in India started to serve to meet the demand of visiting British Saheb. In April 2001, Robin Cook, the foreign secretary proclaimed 'Britain is not a single Anglo-Saxon race, but a gathering of different races' referring to Chicken Tikka Masala,

11. Popular dishes

Some of the dishes became popular on their own and have stood the test of time by many centuries. Samosa Rasgulla and Garam Chai became national dishes during the construction of railroads in India.

- Idli is touted as the oldest (Over 2,000 years) most sophisticated dish from South India

- Pork Vindaloo evolved as a fusion of Portuguese Catholic dish during their occupation (Late 1400s) of Goa. It is considered as the oldest hottest dish made with red chilies garlic and vinegar. Soon it was adopted to Chicken, Mutton and Vegetables

- Samosa (Documented in Ain-I-Akbar 1550s) became a popular 'National Snack' at the Railway Stations

- Rasgulla (originated in Puri, a temple town in Orissa) was erroneously touted as a sweet from West Bengal became a popular 'National Desert' at the Railway stations.

- Garam Masala Chai (Hot tea latte) became a popular 'National Beverage' at the Railway Stations

- Moti Choor Laddu at Hindu Temples and religious ceremonies

- Mustard Greens (Sarso Saag) and Makki Roti (flat corn bread) originated in Punjab to celebrate Vasant Panchami (arrival of spring season)

- Dal Baati Choorma from Rajasthan