Decoding the politics of food cooked up over the years in India - Hindustan Times
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Decoding the politics of food cooked up over the years in India

Hindustan Times | By
Jan 20, 2019 07:35 PM IST

Did you know the Mughals only drank Ganga jal? That the Dalai Lama eats meat? That the heroes of Hindu epics were often non-vegetarians? Food is more complex than politicians make out

As you probably know, one of the triggers for the great revolt of 1857 (or the First War of Independence or the Mutiny, depending on your perspective) was a story that spread across India. According to those who claimed to be in the know, the British army had coated cartridges with animal fat. Soldiers had to bite off the covering of the cartridges to use them. This meant that they ended up eating bits of the animal fat.

Indian cuisine is too great for its history to be twisted to suit the needs of today’s political debates(iStock)
Indian cuisine is too great for its history to be twisted to suit the needs of today’s political debates(iStock)
Ancient texts such as The Arthashastra contain many references to meat eating
Ancient texts such as The Arthashastra contain many references to meat eating
India was never a vegetarian country. The view that ancient Hindus were all vegetarians is nothing but a myth
Khichri became popular not because of our devotion to vegetarian cuisine, but because it was cheap and easy to cook (Shutterstock)
Khichri became popular not because of our devotion to vegetarian cuisine, but because it was cheap and easy to cook (Shutterstock)
Indians are often shocked to find out that the Dalai Lama eats meat (Shutterstock)
Indians are often shocked to find out that the Dalai Lama eats meat (Shutterstock)
Keeping in mind Hindu sensitivities about the cow, Emperor Akbar banned its slaughter
Keeping in mind Hindu sensitivities about the cow, Emperor Akbar banned its slaughter
Opinions vary on when the biryani was invented, but there is no doubt that it is an entirely Indian dish (iStock)
Opinions vary on when the biryani was invented, but there is no doubt that it is an entirely Indian dish (iStock)
Shah Jahan was vegetarian on some days of the week
Shah Jahan was vegetarian on some days of the week
Mughlai dishes served today have nothing to do with the Mughal court
Mughlai dishes served today have nothing to do with the Mughal court
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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Why hide the papers? Why keep the conspiracy theories related to Netaji Subhas Bose’s death alive? And why deny India the truth about the death of one of its great freedom fighters?

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