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Summer is the season of mangoes, also known as the ‘king of fruits’, which is available in different varieties. Although almost everyone likes this fruit, some people are not very fond of them. They eat the fruit just for taste and are genuinely not interested in its history or variety. So, today we will tell you about some such facts related to mangoes that will probably make you a fan.
- When the Mughals came to India, mango cultivation got a further boost. During this period, mangoes were weighed against the price of gold and were cultivated only in the royal gardens. But this system was abolished during the reign of Shah Jahan. Historian Katie Acharya in the book ‘A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food’ says that mango varieties like Tota Pari Mango, Rataul Mango and Kesar Mango were grown in India during the reign of the Mughals.
- You will also be surprised to know that mangoes can be given to each other as a gift. This fruit is given great importance in Buddhism, and it is believed that Lord Gautam Buddha had a habit of resting under the shade of a mango tree. Therefore, mango is considered auspicious in this religion. When the monks go on a long journey, they often take mangoes with them.
- Langda Mango is also very much liked in India, as it tastes mildly sour and sweet. But are you aware of this mango’s story? It is said that this was planted in a farmer’s garden in Banaras. It tasted so good that the farmer planted many trees of this variety, and this was named ‘langda’ because the farmer who discovered this variety was lame.
- It is said that mango is one of the oldest fruits grown in India, and it has been produced in India for the last 5,000 years. Mangoes were first cultivated in the northeastern part of the country. The area is associated with present-day Myanmar, where the first mango orchards were planted.
- Mango cultivation was first introduced in India by the Portuguese, according to the ‘A Historical Dictionary of Indian Food’. The first grown variety was named Frenandin. After this, the Portuguese sent mango seeds from India to other countries to grow different mango types there.
- During his visit to India, famous traveller Xuanzang said in his books that the mango tree is considered a symbol of prosperity in India. As every king here plants a mango tree in front of his palace.
- It is said that mango was the favourite fruit of Mughal emperor Jahangir, and he once said that there could be no other delicious fruit in the whole world than this.
- In south India, mango was called ‘aamkaya’. Later, it was named ‘mamkay’ and ‘manga’. When the Portuguese returned to India, they finally named it ‘mango’.
- It is also said that when Alexander the Great was on his way back from India to Greece, he took the best variety of mango with him.
