Pav Bhaji: Pav Bhaji is very famous in Mumbai. People here eat it with great interest. But this pav bhaji is not limited to Mumbai only. People in other cities of the country have now started eating pav bhaji with gusto. Pav Bhaji is a Sunday special snack in some Indian homes. The special thing is that be it, children or adults, everyone likes it very much. Bhaji made of potatoes and vegetables is also good for health. But now you must know that pav bhaji is an Indian dish but the truth is something else.
Its history related to the American Civil War
You will be surprised to know that the history of Pav Bhaji is related to the American Civil War. This war lasted from 1861 to 1865 between the United States and 11 southern states. According to The Better India report, the southern United States was completely cut off from the global market during the war. The main crop of these states was cotton. The British issued an order to increase the production of cotton mills in Mumbai.
To fulfil the orders of the British Government, the labourers were forced to work day and night in the mills one by one. The food of the workers was also arranged outside the mills. Food had to be made here which was not only cheap but also easy to make. The cooks took advantage of the opportunity and invented a new dish. At these stalls, Bhaji was made from the left over vegetables and after baking the bread left over from the bakery, it was served to the labourers with butter and it became Pav Bhaji.
Is there any connection with Portugal as well?
Some food historians also connect the connection of Pav Bhaji with the Portuguese. The Portuguese used to make bhaji by mixing all the vegetables and used to eat pav i.e. seven pieces of bread. Bread is called 'Pao' in Portuguese and it is also called Pav in India. It is believed that when the Portuguese gave Mumbai as a dowry to the British government, Pav Bhaji also became a part of Mumbai.
