A common North Indian meal called Chole Bhatura is made of spiced chickpeas (called Chole) and leavened bread (called Bhatura), both of which are deep-fried till golden in colour. This delectable meal has a lengthy and fascinating history that goes back several centuries and encompasses various nations and civilizations.
It is believed that a meal named Chana Masala, which is identical to this one, originated in the Middle East. The chickpeas in this dish can also be found in a spicy variation where they are cooked in a mixture of spices and often served with flatbread. A common street cuisine in nations like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran is chana masala.
As trade routes expanded in ancient times, Chana Masala made its way to India along with other spices and culinary traditions. It is believed that the Mughal rulers brought this dish to the Indian continent. The Mughals were known for their love of rich and flavourful dishes, and they brought with them a culinary tradition that blended Persian, Turkish, and Indian flavours and techniques.However, it is not the only story that’s related to Chole Bhatura, there are others as well. One such story is from 1947 when India was The events that followed the partition halted the lives of thousands of people. However, when there was helplessness all around, there was a gentleman named Peshori Lal Lamba, who set up the now famous Kwality restaurant in Connaught Place, Delhi, and brought with him the recipe of Chole.
It is thought that Punjabi cooks, who were renowned for their skill in producing hearty and full food, introduced this leavened bread. The story goes that following the 1947 partition, a Punjabi man by the name of Sita Ram moved from West Punjab with his family and founded his store, Sita Ram Diwan Chand, in Paharganj, Delhi. After opening the store, he and his son Diwan Chand started selling the spicy Punjabi chole and the leavened bread known as Bhatura for about 12 annas each.
Chole Bhatura is thought to have gained popularity in the early 20th century, although it is impossible to determine who prepared it originally.
It is also believed that this dish gained immense popularity in the dhabas, which serve affordable and delicious food to travelers and locals alike. Dhabas became popular during the early 20th century when highways and roads were built across the country, making travel more accessible to the average person.
However, it is so popular now that one can find this dish in almost all parties and other festive occasions. Its popularity rose to such levels that there is a whole day dedicated to this dish and it is celebrated on October 2 every year.
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