Varanasi’s iconic tiranga barfi was officially granted Geographical Indication (GI) tag on April 16, 2024, joining the esteemed ranks of protected regional products. Crafted from premium cashews for its white layer, pistachios for green, almonds for saffron, and enriched with mawa, this legendary confection remains an essential delicacy in the heartland of Kashi.
Dating back to the 1850s, tiranga barfi was crafted by Shri Raghunath Das Gupta, the proprietor of Ram Bhandar, a quaint sweet shop nestled in Varanasi’s Thatheri Bazaar. Though modest in origin, this delectable treat made a noteworthy contribution to the vitality of the Indian independence movement.
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During the era of the freedom movement, when British authorities imposed censorship on newspapers, a delectable treat originally named Rashtriya barfi emerged, doubling as a medium for conveying patriotic slogans. Adorned with the three hues of the tricolour flag, this barfi swiftly became a cherished dessert among freedom fighters. Even today, during Independence and Republic Day celebrations, tiranga barfi continues to be distributed in schools and various institutions across the nation.
Additionally, alongside the tri-colour delicacy, Ram Bhandar shop introduced other sweets paying homage to renowned freedom fighters, such as Jawahar Laddoo, Moti Pak, Madan Mohan, and Gandhi Gaurav, as a gesture of solidarity with the freedom movement. Legend has it that through enthusiastic word-of-mouth, these sweets, along with tiranga barfi, gained immense popularity throughout the city, eventually finding their way into the kitchens of local British government officers.
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Today, the original recipe has undergone slight modifications to streamline its preparation, considering the time and cost constraints. However, the profound sentiment and connection to the sacrifices of the freedom fighters remain intact. Presently, the key ingredients of this sweet include mawa (khoya) and edible food colors representing saffron and green.
