The Battle of the Mangoes: A Hilarious Episode in Indian History!

India's history is filled with tales of valor, conquests, and diplomacy. However, among these serious events, there are also episodes that bring a smile to the face. One such incident is the infamous 'Battle of the Mangoes' a quirky chapter in Indian history that took place in the mid-17th century during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.

The Setting

Shah Jahan, the ruler famous for constructing the Taj Mahal, was also a great connoisseur of food, particularly mangoes. Mangoes were highly prized in the Mughal court, and every summer, noblemen would compete to present the juiciest varieties to the emperor. Shah Jahan’s obsession with mangoes was so well-known that it was said he could identify the orchard from which a particular mango came just by tasting it!

The Cause of the Conflict

The 'Battle of the Mangoes' began with a seemingly innocent incident. Shah Jahan's favourite mango variety was the Alphonso, also known as 'Hapus' which was primarily grown in the Deccan region. The emperor would wait eagerly every year for the first harvest. However, in 1647, a nobleman from the northern province of Multan (modern-day Pakistan) presented a new variety of mango that he claimed was far superior to the Alphonso. This new variety, called the 'Multani Mango' was larger and had a unique flavour.

Shah Jahan, curious and excited, ordered a taste test. The Multani Mango was indeed delightful, and the emperor praised it openly. This set off a chain of events that no one could have anticipated.

The War of Words

The praise for the Multani Mango reached the ears of the governor of the Deccan region, who took it as a personal affront. He had been supplying the emperor with Alphonso mangoes for years, and now his prized fruit was being overshadowed by a newcomer! The governor sent a strongly worded letter to the emperor, extolling the virtues of the Alphonso and subtly criticising the Multani Mango. Not to be outdone, the nobleman from Multan retaliated with his own letter, extolling the virtues of his mangoes and deriding the Alphonso as 'overrated'.

Soon, what had started as a friendly rivalry escalated into a full-blown war of words. The emperor, who had a great sense of humour, decided to fan the flames by issuing a royal decree: a mango competition would be held at the Mughal court to determine the best mango variety in the empire.

The Great Mango Showdown

The mango competition became the talk of the empire. Noblemen from all corners of India began sending their best mangoes to the court. Mangoes from Bengal, Gujarat, Punjab, and even far-off Kerala were brought in. The competition was fierce, with each region’s representatives boasting about the superiority of their fruit.

On the appointed day, Shah Jahan himself presided over the grand mango tasting event. The court was filled with the aroma of ripe mangoes, and the emperor, along with his ministers, began tasting the different varieties. As they moved from one mango to the next, the mood became increasingly jovial. Poets composed humorous couplets on the spot, comparing the different mangoes to the emperor’s many conquests.

In the end, the Multani Mango and the Alphonso Mango emerged as the two finalists. The emperor took his time savouring both, and finally, with a mischievous smile, declared that he could not choose between them. Both mangoes were equally delicious, he said, and the competition ended in a draw.

The Aftermath

The 'Battle of the Mangoes' might not have had the dramatic consequences of other historical events, but it left a lasting legacy. The competition became an annual event at the Mughal court, with new varieties of mangoes being introduced each year. It also solidified India’s love affair with mangoes, a fruit that is still celebrated as the 'King of Fruits' in the country.

Today, the story of the 'Battle of the Mangoes' is remembered as a humorous episode in Indian history. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of political intrigue and power struggles, there is always room for a little bit of fun and laughter. After all, in a country as diverse and colorful as India, history is not just about wars and treaties—sometimes, it’s about mangoes too!