Indian civilization is more than 5,000 years old and is the largest democracy in the world. It is the second most populated, with approximately one billion people, and is the seventh largest country of the world. It is about 1/3 the size of the United States. The main languages are Hindi and English, plus 15 main languages and over 700 dialects.
India is a country with probably the largest and most diverse mixture of races because of the influences from:
1. The Aryans - During the Aryan period, the cuisine of the Great Hindu Empires concentrated on the fine aspects of food and understanding its essence and how it contributed to the development of mind, body and spirit. After this period the cuisine was influenced by the following conquests from other cultures.
2. Mongolians brought to India their hot pot cooking
3. Persians - the most notable later culinary influence in India was the influence of Persian rulers who established the Mughal Rule in India. They introduced their penchant for elegant dining and rich food with dry fruit and nuts (click here for more about Mughal cuisine)
4. Greeks (Alexander the Great)
5. Chinese (from trading, and cultural and educational exchanges with them) - the Chinese introduced stir frys to Indian along with adding the sweet taste to food. Their influence is mostly felt in Gujarat, Beneras and Bengal.
6. Arabs (traders)
7. Portuguese (the Indian Vindaloo dish is a result of the Portuguese). The tomato, chilli, and potato, which are staple components of today's Indian cuisine, were brought to India by the Portugese.
8. British made the ketchup and tea popular in India. Whle in India, the British descibed Indian food as chili spiked curries, rice and rotis that were a food for uncivilized pagans but ironically today Indian food forms a staple diet of British food.