Chaat — A Prescribed Medicine (Promise, it’s not a lie):P
In continuation with my previous piece, while I still have not completed all seasons, the episode on Delhi has made a special impression on my mind. Being an all-time fangirl of Chaat (all varieties), I was slightly surprised by myself that it never occurred to me to learn about its origin. Honestly, I have not been as curious about the history of food as I am to learn its preparation. However, the history of Chaat took me by surprise and I thought I should share it with all of you.
So that story goes back to the time when Shah Jahan decided to shift the capital of the Mughal Empire from Agra to Shahjahanabad, a walled city which is now known as Old Delhi.
As per popular belief, the water of the river Yamuna has never been potable and it goes back to the times of Shah Jahan. During his reign, Shah Jahan did not consult the physicians in his court before getting the city constructed and moving the entire capital and his court from Agra to Shahjahanabad. Once they all moved, his physicians warned him that his decision may lead to the downfall of the Mughal empire because the entire population of the capital will develop severe health complications and may die if they intake the water from the Yamuna over a prolonged period of time.
Worried by the expected consequences, Shah Jahan asked the best physicians and doctors in the empire to come up with a solution as he cannot roll back his decision. As a result of the finding, the doctors suggested that the general population will have to substantially increase the intake of spices to nullify the effect of the water. However, this solution alone was fatal as a high intake of spices will severely disturb the digestive system. In simple terms, the spices will create an intense burning sensation in the stomach and intestines. Therefore, to counter the side effects of spices, the doctors suggested increasing the intake of oil and ghee in the diet which will create a film of fat in the stomach and prevent the burning effects of spices. And Ta-Da!! Chaat was introduced to the world. The fried Tikki in the chaat took care of the requirement of oil and ghee while the mix of spices put in chaat helped the citizens of the capital bear the side effects of the water of Yamuna.
It is so ironic that the item which is on the hit list of the doctors of the modern world was created by the doctors themselves. Maybe it’s time for the doctors to go back to the basics and start recommending a course of Chat to their patients every once in a while. :P
Will keep you all updated with similar fascinating stories I come across in the series.
PS~Keep Smiling!!
