History Aspects of Spices and Condiments of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Period

Administration, Social and Cultural Characteristics History of Garhwal in Shah Dynasty -55 

   History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -244     

   History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -492 

                        By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

       The following were spices grown in Garhwal in Pal or Shah period-

                 Wild Allium and Onion

 Wild onion had been in use by human being for 5000BC. The bronze man started cultivating or using it for food uses or spices uses.

It seems onions were in cultivation in Garhwal at least in Bronze Age.

 People of Garhwal, Bijnor and Haridwar used raw Onion as salad with bread and cooked vegetables too.

                             Garlic

Garlic had been in use for many centuries before Christ in Garhwal and were used for spices and medicinal uses in Garhwal. Garlic was important raw materials for Ayurvedic Medicines.

                Cleome

 There is no botanical data available when human being started using cleome. Therefore it might be called that cleome was used for centuries in Garhwal too.

            Cinnamon (Dalchini)

 Forest trees as Cinnamon is also used prehistoric time and is common names for many trees.  In Sanskrit it is called Tamalpatram. It was used in Ayurvedic medicines too.

                        Coriander (Dhaniya)

 Coriander is one of the oldest spices. It is believed that it is native of Mediterranean region and spread to India and China had been using it as spices and medicine for thousand years.

                        Turmeric

Turmaric is native of South Asia and had been in use for medicine for many millenniums in India including Garhwal.

                               Hemp

Hemp has many uses in Garhwal as elsewhere as for  spices, medicines, addiction, fiber and wood. Record says that Chinese used hemp around 4000BC. That means Hemp had been in Garhwal from prehistoric period.

                    Ginger

   Southeast Asia is original place of Ginger and Indians had been using it more than 2000 years early as medicinal plant and spices.

                                    Fenugreek

Fenugreek was used as spices and condiments.

                                         Wild Plants as Spices of Garhwal

                                           Jakhya seeds (Cleome viscose)

Jakhya is wild plant and was one of the important spices of Garhwal and is /was used by frying in oil.

                                         Jumbo a wild Allium

A wild herbal plant Jumbo seeds/grains were used as spices and condiments.

                                         Laadu (Allium spices)

A wild plant Laadu’s seeds and grains were used as spices and condiments.

                      Kalzi (Alpina galangal)

The rhizome of wild plant Kalzi was used as spices and condiments in Garhwal.

                                         Choru

 The seeds/grains/roots of wild plant Choru were used as spices and condiments

                               Pothya (Mentha arvensis)  

Leaves were used for spices and condiments.

                               Timaru (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium)

 Seeds and fruits of Timaru were used as spices and condiments

                  Black Pepper and Cloves

 Black pepper and cloves were imported from Kerala and were rarest spices used in Garhwal.

Chili pepper or Mirch would have used after British came to power in Garhwal.

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com24/11/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -493 

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal from 1223-1804 to be continued in next chapter ….

History of Characteristics of Garhwal Kings Shah dynasty, to be continued

XX                     

Notes on South Asian Modern Period  History of Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Pauri Garhwal; South Asian  Modern Period  History of Chamoli Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rudraprayag Garhwal;  South Asian Modern  History of Tehri Garhwal; South Asian Modern  History of Uttarkashi Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Dehradun, Garhwal;  Modern  History of Haridwar ; South Asian Modern Period   History of Manglaur, Haridwar;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rurkee Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Bahadarpur Haridwar ; South Asian Modern Period History of Haridwar district, South Asian History of Bijnor old Garhwal

Xx         

 History Aspects of Spices and condiments of Garhwal in Pal /Shah Period; History Aspects of Spices and condiments of Pauri Garhwal in Pal /Shah Period; History Aspects of Spices of Chamoli Garhwal in Pal /Shah Period; History Aspects of Spices and condiments of Rudraprayag Garhwal in Pal /Shah Period; History Aspects of Spices and condiments of Tehri Garhwal in Pal /Shah Period; History Aspects of Spices and condiments of Uttarkashi Garhwal in Pal /Shah Period; History Aspects of Spices and condiments  of Dehradun Garhwal in Pal /Shah Period; History Aspects of Spices and condiments  of Haridwar Garhwal in Pal /Shah Period; History Aspects of Spices and condiments  of Bijnor around in Pal /Shah Period; History Aspects of Spices and condiments  of Saharanpur in Pal /Shah Period