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Biryani / Biriyani. A thread !
There are lots of theories on how Biryani came into India and made a cultural shift in the modern Indian cuisine. The major theory is that it was developed in the Mughal empire(1500s). Another major theory is that the Timur fed their army of solider with this delicacy(late 1300s)
A minor theory states that it was brought into India by Arab traders on the Malabar coast.
To have a basic knowledge of the word..
Biryani / Biriyani, it originates from Persia. The modern day Iran.
Birian - Fried before cooking
Birinj - Rice.
To have a basic knowledge of the word..
Biryani / Biriyani, it originates from Persia. The modern day Iran.
Birian - Fried before cooking
Birinj - Rice.
Wikipedia reference.
Now. Where did it actually originate from ? How did we acquire the taste bud for it and why is it an emotion and not just a food for us Tamil people. Well we have to dig deep into Sangam literature. To be precise, we have to go inside Purananuru to find answers.
Purananuru is one of earliest scriptures on how we fared under the Chera, Chola and Pandya dynasties. It consists of 400 poems about the kings, their warfare, culture and much more.
One poem in it's scripture has the earliest recording of the delicacy that is biryani.
One poem in it's scripture has the earliest recording of the delicacy that is biryani.
Scripture 33 about Cholan Nalan-Killi, believed to be written by Koovoor Kilar. It says that the King after capturing Pandyan fort fed his soliders with "Oon-soru".
Scripture 113, written by Kapilar on the death of Vel Pari. The scripture states that, with the demise of Vel Pari who will feed us with "Oon-soru" and liquor hereafter.
Oon-soru is nothing but meat rice. It's a blend of meat(mutton, as mentioned in scripture 113 of Purananuru), rice, ghee and spices. Which is the modern day equivalent of Biryani/Biriyani. This is a conclusive evidence of the origin of this delicacy.
Mutton Biriyani (yes BIRI and not BIR, like how we Tamilians say it) is the mother of all biriyanis.
This inturn effectively ends all debates on "Veg Briyani is not real Briyani".. because it's not.
This inturn effectively ends all debates on "Veg Briyani is not real Briyani".. because it's not.
@mostly_meh Thank you for cross verifying the scriptures with me. We have done a service to this community 
