10-22-2004, 05:13 PM
Came in via email
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Indian menu over the ages, Qouted by D.Balasubrahmaniam in his article from among the books-- indian Food- a historical companion; The Food Industries of British India; A Historical Dictionary Of Indian Food, be Dr. K.T.Achaya, Died about two years ago, ( all pub;oshed by Oxford University Press , India).
While Dosai and Vadai have a hoaey two thousand year history, Idli is a foregn import, brought by the cooks who accompanied the Hindu kings of Inonesia between 800-1200 A.D.-Kedli intheir language prepared by fermentation and steaming methods (Chinese Chronicler Xuang Zzang of 7th century A.D., categorically stated, that there were no steaming vessels in India).
The Rigveda mentions about_-- rice, cereals and pulses, masha(urad),mudga (moong) and masura (masoor), green leafy vegetables (spinach) , melons, pumpkins, gourds, in particular lotus-stems, cucumber, bottle-gourd, water chestnut, bitter-gourd (karavella), radish, brinjal, some aquatic pants(avika, andika) and fruits such as mangoes, oranges and grapes. Spices such as corinder turmeric, pepper, cumin, asafoetida, cloves, sesame, and mustard,
By the Dharma-Sutra times food habits changed. the threeguna components sattwika, raajasika, and thaamasa entered into evaluation and forbidding caertain items of food,and many anima food items. And the preference of Jainism and Buddhism (in India) for vegetarianism and against meat eating contributed to this change also.
Meat eating was is very much prevelant --- in Gujarat 69% are vegetarian, 60% in Rajasthan, 54% in Punjab Haryana, 50% in U.P., 45% ln M.P., 34% in Karnataka, 30% in Maharashtra, 21% in Tamil Nadu, 16% in A.P., 15% 1n Assam, 6% in Kerala, Orissa, and West Bengal ( probably taking fish and eggs and sometypes of meat which are considered not as nonvegetarian).
Even among non-vegetarians and meat eaters beef was and is taboo, at least 2000 years old. Economic, ethical and respect for its use are given as reasons. Emperor Humayun avoided it. Much of India and certainly many Hindu communities avoid beef eating..---------
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Indian menu over the ages, Qouted by D.Balasubrahmaniam in his article from among the books-- indian Food- a historical companion; The Food Industries of British India; A Historical Dictionary Of Indian Food, be Dr. K.T.Achaya, Died about two years ago, ( all pub;oshed by Oxford University Press , India).
While Dosai and Vadai have a hoaey two thousand year history, Idli is a foregn import, brought by the cooks who accompanied the Hindu kings of Inonesia between 800-1200 A.D.-Kedli intheir language prepared by fermentation and steaming methods (Chinese Chronicler Xuang Zzang of 7th century A.D., categorically stated, that there were no steaming vessels in India).
The Rigveda mentions about_-- rice, cereals and pulses, masha(urad),mudga (moong) and masura (masoor), green leafy vegetables (spinach) , melons, pumpkins, gourds, in particular lotus-stems, cucumber, bottle-gourd, water chestnut, bitter-gourd (karavella), radish, brinjal, some aquatic pants(avika, andika) and fruits such as mangoes, oranges and grapes. Spices such as corinder turmeric, pepper, cumin, asafoetida, cloves, sesame, and mustard,
By the Dharma-Sutra times food habits changed. the threeguna components sattwika, raajasika, and thaamasa entered into evaluation and forbidding caertain items of food,and many anima food items. And the preference of Jainism and Buddhism (in India) for vegetarianism and against meat eating contributed to this change also.
Meat eating was is very much prevelant --- in Gujarat 69% are vegetarian, 60% in Rajasthan, 54% in Punjab Haryana, 50% in U.P., 45% ln M.P., 34% in Karnataka, 30% in Maharashtra, 21% in Tamil Nadu, 16% in A.P., 15% 1n Assam, 6% in Kerala, Orissa, and West Bengal ( probably taking fish and eggs and sometypes of meat which are considered not as nonvegetarian).
Even among non-vegetarians and meat eaters beef was and is taboo, at least 2000 years old. Economic, ethical and respect for its use are given as reasons. Emperor Humayun avoided it. Much of India and certainly many Hindu communities avoid beef eating..---------