Gulab jamun: The sweet that travelled across empires and centuries
One of my fondest childhood memories, from when I was six or seven, is of attending my best friend's birthday party. Alongside all the other dishes, there was always a large glass bowl of small, dark brown gulab jamuns floating in warm syrup. I marvelled each year at the fact that her mother made them from scratch. They were perfectly sweet, soft, and still slightly warm. To this day, gulab jamun remains my favourite Indian dessert.
Gulab jamun is popular in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and much of the subcontinent. In 2019, it was even declared Pakistan's national dessert. The name itself loosely translates to 'rose fruit' — gulab meaning rose, and jamun referring to the tart Java plum found across South Asia, which the sweet resembles in shape and colour. The 'rose' could also be a nod to the syrup it is soaked in, often scented with rosewater.
That rosewater is a clue to one possible origin story. While there is no definitive proof, many food historians believe gulab jamun was introduced to the subcontinent by Central Asian Turkish invaders. Others claim it was an accidental creation by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's chef, though credible evidence for that is lacking. What I have discovered is that the dessert is quite similar to the Arabic sweet, luqmat-al-qadi, which was introduced to India by the Mughal emperors.
Luqmat-al-qadi is paler in colour and often soaked in honey rather than sugar syrup. It dates back to at least the thirteenth-century Abbasid caliphate, where it appears in cookbooks like Kitab al-Tabeekh and accounts by historians such as Abd-al-Latif al-Baghdadi. Greek poet Callimachus even mentions deep-fried honey balls — served to winners of the ancient Olympic Games — which sound strikingly similar.
The method has barely changed: balls of dough fried in oil, then dipped in flavoured syrup, whether orange juice, rosewater, honey, or lemon. Variants appear across the region — the Iranian bamiyeh, the Turkish tulumba and lokma — each with its own twist. In South Asia, Mughal cooks may have adapted these recipes with rosewater to suit the hot climate, alongside other cooling flavours like khus.
Recipes vary widely. Some use yoghurt, some baking powder, some milk powder, and a few Pakistani recipes even include an egg. Saffron and cardamom often add depth to the sweetness. Shapes vary too: round, doughnut-shaped, or oval. In Indian Food: A Historical Companion (1994), food historian K T Achaya describes them as 'balls of chenna or khoya or paneer, kneaded using maida, then deep fried till dark brown, and gently boiled in sugar syrup, sometimes flavoured with rose essence'.
Knowing the process only deepened my respect for my friend's mother. First, khoya is made by stirring milk over a low flame until it solidifies. This is mixed with flour, kneaded, shaped, and deep-fried, then dipped in sugar syrup infused with cardamom, rosewater, or saffron. The glossy deep-brown colour comes from the caramelisation of milk solids and sugar.
In Bengal, you'll find the black-hued kalo jaam — dough balls coated with sugar before frying, giving them their darker colour and firmer texture. Unlike gulab jamun, it's usually served at room temperature. Bengal is also home to the pantua, an oval variant similar to the langcha from Shaktigarh in West Bengal.
My favourite variant, however, is the ledikenni. Created for Lady Canning, wife of Governor-General Charles Canning (1856–1862), it is said that she commissioned Bhim Chandra Nag to make a sweet for her birthday. He created a hybrid of pantua and gulab jamun. Locals dubbed it ledikenni. Oblong in shape, infused with cardamom, and with a raisin at its centre, it is distinct from the pantua.
Persian, Turkish, Greek, whatever its lineage, I would strongly recommend ending a meal with gulab jamun, pantua, kalo jaam, or ledikenni. Few sweets are made of such simple ingredients yet offer so much gratification, each bite steeped not only in sugar syrup but in centuries of culinary history.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Netaji's daughter seeks return of father's remains from Japan
Kolkata: Subhas Chandra Bose's daughter Anita Bose Pfaff has yet again appealed to Union govt to repatriate the freedom fighter's ashes that lie in a temple in Tokyo. Netaji died in a plane crash in Taihoku, modern day Taipei City, on Aug 18, 1945. He was en route to Tokyo following Emperor Hirohito's announcement of Japan's surrender in a nationwide radio message, which ended Japan's support for his and the Indian National Army's struggle for India's independence. In a statement issued on the eve of his 80th death anniversary, Pfaff appealed that her father's remains be brought from the Renko-ji Temple in Tokyo. She had made a similar appeal on the eve of Netaji's 128th birth anniversary on Jan 23 this year. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Gold Rates Today in Kolkata | Silver Rates Today in Kolkata Following Japan's surrender, Netaji had set out to fly to Tokyo on Aug 17, 1945. The crash on Aug 18 resulted in severe burns, leading to his death the same day. He was cremated in Taipei, and his remains were subsequently taken to Tokyo. The head priest of Renko-ji Temple agreed to safeguard Netaji's remains "for a few months" at the request of the Indian community in Tokyo. Nearly a century later, his remains continue to be honoured and cared for by the current generation of head priests. "When asked about his greatest fear, Netaji reportedly stated it was 'to be in exile'. He had returned to India from exile in Europe in the 1930s despite warnings of immediate imprisonment. He only escaped from India again to avoid renewed imprisonment, continuing his fight for freedom from abroad and remaining in exile until death. As Netaji's daughter I invite Indians of today who still remember him and respect him to support his posthumous return from exile, to support the transfer of his mortal remains to India for a final disposal," Pfaff said. Other Bose family members in Kolkata have also appealed to the Union govt to bring back the ashes. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
For urban lung space
It is refreshing to learn from time to time that civic bodies across cities are taking steps to nurture urban parks by renovating existing spaces, especially those affected by metro and other projects, and developing new ones. Parks, which are compact green spaces, have been consistently playing a vital role in societies from time immemorial. During the different periods of Indian history, groves and gardens were set apart by rulers for public enjoyment. Mark Antony successfully whipped up the emotions of the Roman mob soon after the assassination of Julius Caesar when he announced dramatically that Caesar had 'left you all his walks, his private arbours and new-planted orchards on this side of Tiber'. However, the concept of public parks in Indian urban areas, as we know it, was introduced only during the colonial period on the lines of parks in the West. The People's Park (1859-61), for example, was one of the oldest parks established in Chennai. Considered the 'lungs' of a city, parks are indispensable in metropolitan areas. Peace park Talking of the status of a typical public park today, it is disappointing that its sparse vegetation fails to invest the city with nostalgic rural charm. Though one must not expect placid calm in public parks situated amid the din and bustle of a city, a fairly peaceful place is necessary for citizens. The scene in a park varies with the hours of the day. In the mornings, one can see the superannuated gentility taking the morning constitutional. A few people trudge stertorously around the park as if it is a ritual. Parks become very noisy in the evenings with children playing all around. The balloon vendor produces the usual irritable noise to attract them. Vendors selling groundnuts and ice cream ply a brisk trade. Soon the place gets littered with fruit rinds and bits of paper. Most of the parks have only a minimum supervision by a part-time guard. Lack of cleanliness is a common issue. The growth of grass goes unchecked giving rise to mosquito menace. As the night falls, everything is quiet again in the parks. Early in the morning, one finds some men who have chosen the park for their nocturnal sojourn, unwillingly rising from the cement benches, cursing the sun that disturbed their night-long slumber. Winding down For the common person who does not have the advantage of a beach near his home, a park is the only place where he hopes to find relaxation and respite. In the country as a whole, there is a significant shortage of public parks and green spaces due to rapid urbanisation. It is important to regulate encroachment on lands earmarked for parks and also ensure that parks are evenly distributed over a city. Regular maintenance of public parks will doubtless go a long way in contributing to public health and environmental well-being. Local administrations must allocate adequate funds in their annual budgets for this purpose. They should remember that a park is not a luxury, but a necessity. On the lighter side, I recall an incident related to a park of my school days. My classmate Mani used to be marked absent for a number of days. When he had lost his term days, his class teacher referred the matter to his parents. They were told that the boy was regularly leaving for the school with his books and tiffin box and returning home in the evening. On investigation, it transpired that the boy spent the school hours playing hide and seek with street children in the park adjacent to our school. He used to have his lunch and his siesta under the umbrageous banyan trees in the park and leave for home on hearing the school bell. The parents acted quickly to correct the boy's behaviour. His mother accompanied him to the school, waited for the whole day in the park and ensured that the boy attended the classes. When I met Mani after a long time, I enquired about his profession. 'I graduated with a degree in botany, and I am now the supervisor of public gardens and parks in the city,' he said proudly. ramaraon2014@
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
For women, unseen battles at workplace
In today's world, women across all strata of society take up gainful employment and support their families financially. Even a few decades ago, only women who were privileged enough to receive an education entered salaried professions. However, those who remained at home engaged in unpaid labour, such as caregiving and other forms of domestic duties and agricultural work, but were often not acknowledged as making meaningful contributions to their family's welfare. Their strength was exploited without compensation, and their efforts were left unrecognised. Women have long been treated as the 'second sex', denied their basic human rights. Over time, many were conditioned to accept a subordinate status, believing that men were inherently superior and that women's suffering was part of their fate. Traditional Indian families relegated women to tasks such as transferring culture and values to the next generation, denying them the opportunity to hone their skills, explore their interests, and gain knowledge. Generations of women were held back, made to feel inferior, and confined in dark traditions. Fortunately, things have begun to change. Today, women are forging paths of success across all fields. This transformation did not happen overnight. It was built on years of struggle, sacrifice, and silent determination. Many mothers gave up their own dreams so that their daughters could lead independent and empowered lives. But has the change truly taken root? Are women now treated equally as men at the workplace? Who truly cares about the real conditions that working women endure? Clipped wings While women may now have the 'freedom' to work, sadly, the workplace often becomes a second, silent confinement. Here, their wings are clipped, and their voices stifled. They may appear free, but many continue to toil under misogynistic superiors in environments where their dignity is undermined. Women need equality, dignity, and fair treatment. However, a patriarchal mindset persists in many sectors, where women are at the receiving end. If they raise their voices, they risk being fired or penalised. Out of fear, many suffer silently. Wage disparity One of the primary reasons women seek employment is financial independence. Yet, wage disparity remains a grim reality. In many workplaces, mainly in the informal sector, salary structures differ for men and women performing the same tasks. Even when a woman puts in equal efforts as her male co-workers or even more, she is rarely paid equally. The struggle of balancing work and family is another big challenge. Unfortunately, their efforts often go unnoticed. In some establishments, bias exists even in hiring practices. This is an obvious violation of women's rights. Promotions and performance evaluations are often tainted by gender-based discrimination. India slipped to the 31st position in the Global Gender Gap Index, 2025, according to the World Economic Forum. If such conditions persist, the situation may worsen. Women remain under-represented in key areas such as politics, business, and leadership. While women are often praised as natural multitaskers, the reality is that their labour is undervalued. Some men still cannot accept women as superiors or colleagues on an equal footing. Despite performing the same duties or more, women are rarely acknowledged or appreciated for their efforts. In addition to office work, many bear caregiving responsibilities at home. But do they receive respect, support, or encouragement from male colleagues or partners? Several workplaces lack basic facilities such as clean and accessible toilets. During menstruation, women need proper hygiene infrastructure. Are there enough government provisions ensuring access to sanitary facilities or safe spaces? Do workplaces provide adequate breaks for breastfeeding mothers? Women above the age of 50, especially those working in retail or as support staff, are often forced to stand for long hours. Though laws exist mandating seating arrangements for them, such regulations are often ignored. Speaking up can cost them their jobs, so many continue to suffer in silence. Even more tragically, in some cases, women particularly those in vulnerable financial conditions are forced to compromise their dignity by their superiors. While difficult to acknowledge, this form of exploitation still occurs. So, where can a woman feel truly safe and happy today? She continues to fight her unseen battles every single day. She may have broken free from the cocoon of domesticity, but now finds herself trapped in a cobweb of systemic oppression. Who will rescue her or must she rescue herself? How can she break free? mercyfamila@
