Indian food in this country dates back further than most individuals would possibly have an idea. We can be forgiven for walking down almost any street in Britain and taking the sight of an Indian restaurant or takeaway for granted.

Who would have considered that Indian food would have had an assoication with this country for nearly 400 years? It is not just in this country that it has changed radically, but also in its native area.

Indian settlers first begun arriving in England in the seventeenth century, after merchants had begun trading in the indian town of Surat. This new company called itself the East India Company, and offered employment to lascars or local sailors to work as crewmembers. The population of the lascars grew steadily during this period, although they often struggled to avoid living in poverty.

As the influence of the British grew in India, so did the interest in Indian food in England. This marked the first published recipes, and the introduction curry powder towards the late eighteenth century.

In modern times there were three main reasons for the growth of the Indian restaurant in this country. The first reason was the general increase in the personal wealth of most people. The second reason can be attributed to the cosmopolitan nature of the people, and the third was the Tandoor.

The Middle East was the birth place of the Tandoor, which came from the Babylonian word ‘timuru’ which meant fire. After its introduction into this country in the sixties, it oversaw the birth of the classic ‘chicken tandoori’ and assimilation into the culture of the nation. This has now become a timeless favourite in all Indian takeaways throughout the land.

Because of the success of Indian entrepreneurs, the Indian food sector is seen as one of the fastest growing in the UK. The popularity of both Indian restaurants and take away food has ensured that it will be an English institution for many years to come!