Historical Evidence of Rasgulla And Research #RasagolaA2Z

Historical references and evidences are much needed while filing the Geographical Indication (GI) Application.

Following our Rasagola Dibasa i.e. Rasgulla Day celebration online on July 30, 2015, the topic Rasgulla trended.

There were many debates and discussions and intellectuals and researchers shared the available information.

However, it included misleading and false information regarding Chhena and Rasgulla invention too.

The neighbouring state filed for the GI of their Rasogolla in September 2015.

Odisha Government set up three committees and was in the process of "collecting evidence".

This report has more.

Based on the interim report of the three panels set up by the state government to prepare evidence about Rasagola:

"The committees, in their report, have stated that there is conclusive evidence on the use of Rasagolla in Odisha for a long time. This sweet dish was prepared by several mutts and temples in the state about 600 years ago," Odisha's Science and Technology Minister, Pradip Kumar Panigrahi said.

Panigrahi said there were evidences supporting Odisha's claim over Rasagolla in epics like Mahabharata, the one written by Sarala Das, 'Dandi Ramayan' and also in Madala Panji, the ancient text used by the 12th century Sri Jagannath Temple.

Odisha claims evidence of Rasagola availability 600 years ago

Information of historical references and literary evidence about Dandi Ramayan was known in 2015 itself.  The above- cited DNA news report is dated October 2015.

In his report to Govt. in 2015, Sri Bhakta Tripathy, a cultural expert and media professional, and a Rasagola committee member constituted by the Odisha State Govt., had submitted Dandi Ramayana reference along with many other references of Rasagola and Odisha connection.

The above DNA news report and other papers based their reports on information already available.

In March 2016, before his retirement, the Rasagola Committee Chairman, Sri Sudarsan Dash, had submitted the entire report along with inputs from many Shree Jagannatha culture experts, who were a part of the Rasagola Committees.

Still, Odisha's GI application process got delayed owing to inaction.

In the fifteenth century text - Dandi Ramayana i.e. Odia Ramayana, the word 'Rasagola' is clearly mentioned in the vast number of foods and cuisine description.

#Rasagola is from Odisha, much before made elsewhere.#Rasagola mentioned in Ajodhya Kanda of Dandi Ramayan, by Balaram Das, a work of 15th C

— ବିକାଶ | Bikash (@bikashojha) May 18, 2016

In every article, the mention of "Dandi Ramayana" is missing. The text is in Odia, written in 15th century by Balaram Das, clearly states "Rasagola". https://t.co/YyCjwyll5f
Giving reference of Krishna is wrong. Vaishnavism entered Puri temple only during Ramanuj time.

— Ashish (@ashishkumar_tw) November 21, 2017

This is the text from Dandi Ramayana written by Balaram Das an Utkal Vaishnava much before Gaudiya Vaishnava entered Kalinga .
Overall then Bengal was Known as Gauda Pradesh which was under Trikalinga . @BBSRBuzz @MamataOfficial @otvnews @TOIIndiaNews @timesofindia @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/RQbWND24Pr

— ଖାଣ୍ଟି ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଟୋକା (@PSD58769702) November 17, 2017

Dandi Ramayan of Odia poet Balaram Das mentions about Rasgulla served to Rama chandra by Bharat Muni in his Ashram. Rasgulla is from Odisha.

— kamala p. mahapatra (@kamalamahapatra) May 18, 2016

Research and references clearly prove that Rasagola i.e. Rasgulla has existed in Odisha at least from the 15th Century.

This writer is confident that older references of Rasagola will be found one day after interest is shown by all stakeholders and there are efforts in conducting additional study and research.

Odisha Rasagola GI Application was submitted in 2018 and Odisha earned the GI for "Odisha Rasagola" in 2019.

Some find this Rasgulla issue 'sickening', 'tiring' and 'boring'; while others feel this 'fight' is 'silly and inconsequential'. Misinformation about Rasgulla continues. We have two choices- either accept the misinformation regarding Rasgulla or share the facts and make everyone aware.

This writer has been consistently and persistently writing and sharing about this topic from 2014 onwards. Dedicated efforts have been to settle this Rasgulla debate and to put an end to this controversy once and for all. Thus, this writer had initiated the Rasagola Dibasa - Rasgulla Day celebration on social media in 2015. Thereafter, this writer had facilitated the filing of the 'Odisha Rasagola' GI application. Odisha has earned the GI Tag for Odisha Rasagola in July 2019. However, the misrepresentation and misleading, biased, and fake news reports, articles, and videos still continue. Such propaganda must stop. Rasagola's Odisha origin must be known and accepted. Only when the truth is shared, people can learn and be aware. May truth triumph.

I’m participating in the April #A2ZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z

H For- History, Historical

I am writing A-Z posts about Rasagola- 26 Rasagola posts this April.

This sincere attempt is to share information about Rasagola/Rasgulla.

Rasagola is a part of Odisha's traditional knowledge, continuing tradition, cultural heritage and identity.  

You can check out my other Rasagola posts here.
This is my fifth #A2Z Challenge, and my last four challenges have been about Odisha, India. 

My previous #AToZChallenge posts here.

Are you aware of Rasagola/Rasgulla? Did you know that the Rasgulla originated in Odisha? 

Please do share any information about Rasgulla that you may have and which you feel must be documented and shared so that all are aware.