The Forgotten Native Origins of Indian Kebabs

Contrary to popular belief, kebabs have been a part of Indian cuisine since prehistoric times

My version of fish kebabs. Photo by author, not to be used without permission.

Walk through the streets of any Indian city during the evening, and you’ll encounter skewers of meat grilling over charcoal or in a tandoor oven. The aroma is captivating. The sight of meat cooking over coal or roasting on a spit is most commonly associated with Middle Eastern or Central Asian cuisine. Kebabs aren’t the first thing that comes to our mind when we imagine Indian food, which is more well-known for its saucy curries and elegant rice dishes such as biryani and pulao. However, kebabs are a staple of the Indian culinary landscape.. They can be found in fine-dining restaurants and small, hole-in-the-wall eateries, typically run by a kebab master and a multitasking cashier who takes your order and packs your food.

Though kebabs are integral to Indian cuisine, many believe they came from the Middle East or Central Asia and only reached India during the Middle Ages with the spread of Islam. Several che…