Indulge me for a moment. I grew up in Delhi in the 70s/80s – Delhi, not New Delhi. There is nothing that ruffles feathers more that a Dehliwalla hearing this phrase – the Brits did not name it New Delhi – Lutyens Delhi got the moniker from Dehliwalas – a bit lazy, I admit – but was used as label used primarily to look down at the Brits, who were considered culturally deficient. Much like the collective used by us in the 70s – “Yamuna paar” (read “sidie”); loud, crude and flashy.

As an aside, we have continued this by coining and owning the term “non-vegetarian”. Most of the world needed to construct a sub-set for the non meat/flesh eaters. I have never heard of a term such as “non-meater”, except in the Indian army.

I digress.

The term Nihari’s roots are from the word Nihar, which can also mean when nothing’s gone done your gullet since you awoke. So it would be normal for a Hakeem to say “Yeh nihar muh khana”.

Like Haleem, it is the working mans food. The reason to add wheat flour is to make it heavy, so the labourers would get hunger pangs during the working day.

This ties in well with the “Do waqt ki roti” saying. It wasn’t “Teen waqt ki roti” – a western concept.

I’ll end with another response to a comment above – Nihari is nothing to do with “Sehri” – a sub continent concept – The reason for Ramadan/Ramazan – in addition to purifying the body, is to find resonance with the poor, and give charity a better chance of success.

Muhammed broke his fast with a glass of water and some dates. The evening would be eaten at the usual time. Would wake up in the morning, says his prayers and go about his normal day.

Sehri is just exploiting a loophole. One might as well not fast. I don’t. Because I’m not a “practicing” Muslim.

This contextual reference on Nihari is word of mouth – from the mouth of my Great Grandfather, who was around when Bahadur Shah Zafar was, and I would to believe that to be true.

Any references to the contrary, may be truer – but being a hopeless romantic am merely sharing what I know. No points to be proved here. ‘

Please pardon me if I don’t engage in dialogue which is trying to prove a point – I concede unconditionally, and you are right.

Now did I leave that burning in the ashtray, or did I stub it out?

I’ve eaten at places , expensive to street stalls , all over Delhi & around but his Biryani is simply the best. Better than the famous Taufeeq Biryaniwala at Azam Khan Haveli , Chitli Qabar, Dariyaganj.

PS: If you’re late & anyhow happen to miss his biryani , Chaman Biryaniwala in main Barahindu Rao Bazaar is the second option. His food is also good.

Sure: it costs Rs. 55 a plate these days!

Hey @AT the taste same is same as it has been there since he(NOORA) started this shop (about 30-35 Years) and the main guy NOORA is dead now but his son is running the shop now and i am pretty much sure that even his grandson can earn from this business… and sorry i didnt mean to be MEAN when i shared the 2012 prices my intension was that people who read the thought shared by Himanshu Kumar needed a little updation thats it…..