Reading Time: 3 minutes
Ruchira traces the origin and antiquity of Sohan Halwa. An exclusive for Different Truths.
Sohan Halwa’s antecedents may be traced back to Middle East or West Asia if you please. Coming out of an arid desert like geographical region, the ingredients comprise minimal milk blended with water, sugar, and wheat flour.
The mixture in question is doused in pure desi ghee and heated in a wok until it turns into a caramelised hardened mass. Now it’s time for garnishing. Strands of
A word of caution however. The Halwa’s dry hard exterior (which ensures longer shelf life) might be tad difficult for persons with not-so-good teeth to break or bite into. I remember how my thamma (daadi) having concluded her Delhi visit carried away with her (to Kolkata) a substantial quantity of the item, since she had fallen in love with it during her sojourn here. Unfortunately on a couple of occasions, finding them rather tough, she resorted to the ubiquitous shill noda /seel batta, smashing each disc to smithereens and consuming the broken bits and pieces. For her the taste of the sweet was irresistible!
Apparently Sohan Halwa gained foothold in India during the reign of Humayun the second Mughal emperor. From diverse anecdotes we garner that the first ever Sohan Halwa vend Ghantewala Halwai was established in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk way back, in 1790,
Apparently Sohan Halwa gained foothold in India during the reign of Humayun the second Mughal emperor. From diverse anecdotes we garner that the first ever Sohan Halwa vend Ghantewala Halwai was established in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk way back, in 1790, while (later) Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II was still in office! Amidst its vast array of sweets, Sohan Halwa remained the flagship. Meanwhile, with passage of years (in both pre & post independent era) many other sweet marts (selling this lucrative dessert) came up and began to flourish in around the walled city. The likes of Chaina Ram Sindhi Halwai thrive till date. But sadly, weighed down by unavoidable circumstances, the iconic Ghantewala downed its shutters for the last time nearly five years ago!
Photos from the Internet