Biryani is Mughal cuisine. If we have to describe this cuisine in a single sentence, we can say that Biryani is rice cooked with meat and spices. However, this is not it. Biryani cannot be described in a single sentence. This has been a royal cuisine and has a great and interesting history. There is something really special with this cuisine that it is so famous in India and some other parts of the world.
It started in early 15th century, when Mughals came to India and ruled this country till 19th century. They came from Persia and were from the culture of Turks, Arabs and Afghans. Mughal actually started trend of feasts in India. Meat used to be the main ingridients of there dishes.
There were various Indian rice dishes prevalent those days. But Biryani had its own taste. The name of the cuisine ”Biryani” is derived from the Persian word “Briyan”. “Briyan” means “fried before cooking”. So it is very clear that this cuisine was initially practiced and cooked in Iran (now known as Persia). Another interesting story behind origin of this cuisine is related to Mumtaz Mahal, the queen of Mughal king Shah Jahan. It is said that Mumtaz Mahal once took a look at the situation and health condition of army personnels. She found them really weak and under-nourished. Therefore, she order her chef to prepare a dish which can provide the balanced nutrition to the soldiers and hence, the Biryani came into existence.
The cuisine soon became popular royal cuisines. It was the first choice of Mughals, Nizams of Hyderabad, Nawabs of Lucknow and various other royal communities, across the India. The method of preparation used to differ slightly from place to place, but the concept remained the same.
Once a royal dish is now enjoyed in each and every corner of this country. People have really liked it since centuries. We must say there is something really special about this royal cuisine.
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