Ancient India was once one of the four ancient civilizations. With the overthrow of the Maurya Dynasty, ancient India perished.
Although India is still a country in the world, the two have little to do with each other - just like ancient Egypt and Egypt.
The excavation of Mehrgarh site in Pakistan shows us some subcontinent eating habits around 8000-6000 BC.
During this period, people here began to grow wheat, barley and jujube, and domesticated sheep and goats.
In the Neolithic Age, about 8000-5000 BC, people in the subcontinent mainly lived on agricultural products.
Around 5000 BC, there were many agricultural communities in Kashmir Valley. In 4530 BC and 5440 BC, wild rice appeared in Ganges Valley in northern India.
The earliest evidence of ancient Indian food was proved by the excavation of the ruins of the Indus Valley civilization.
The Harappan civilization left behind a large number of technological products, such as ploughs, for the later Indus Valley civilization. Farmers in the Indus Valley grow peas, sesame, dates and rice.
In 2000 BC, the Aryan people moved to India, where they cultivated and raised livestock at the same time. The time when Aryan people began to settle in India is called the "Vedic Age".
In catur-veda the ancient Indian Brahmanic scripture, the food and eating habits of ancient India are recorded in detail.
In addition to catur-veda, through the excavation of Harappa and the Indian valley, it is also found that the main food of ancient Indians came from agriculture.
The Aryans grew barley, wheat, melons and cotton here. They domesticated cattle, pigs and sheep. People living by the sea and river catch fish, seafood and river food. According to the traditions of the Vedic era, food can be divided into three categories:
Sattvik Bhojan
Cooked vegetables, milk, fresh fruits and honey are considered "Satvika". These foods are considered to be the simplest and purest, and they are vegan. They are mainly for great scholars and saints.
Tamasic Bhojan
Meat, wine, garlic and hot and sour food are classified as "Tamasik". It is said that Tamasik will cause human beings to behave in a low and rude way. In ancient India, these foods were believed to belong to those evil people.
Rajasic Bhojan
Foods that provide energy for daily work are classified as "Rajasik". Rajasik mainly has lentils and green vegetables, which can provide a lot of nutrition to maintain energy.
Food in the Brahman Age
Rice and wheat seemed to be the staple food of Brahman era. Rice and wheat can be made into different forms of food, which can be boiled or fried. There are also barley, wheat, sesame and beans.
Milk and milk products in this period include purified cream; Coagulation milk; Milk porridge; Butter; A mixture of curd and milk; A mixture of milk, curd, honey and butter; Thick milk and so on.
Recorded edible fruits mentioned in Brahman era include figs, dates, berries, sugar cane, and so on.
