Tiranga Barfi, Leader of the Varanasi “Quit India Movement,” Gets the GI Tag

On April 16, 2024, Varanasi’s tiranga barfi was finally served at the GI club. Uttar Pradesh has led the scoreboard for the production of GI-tagged (Geographical Indications) goods, boasting around 69 items in this distinguished category. This fabled dessert, which was originally created with the finest cashews (for the white layer), pistachios (for the green layer), almonds (for the saffron color), and mawa, is a must-have treat in the country of Kashi.

The invention of tiranga barfi dates back to the 1850s and was attributed to Shri Raghunath Das Gupta, who maintained a tiny confectionery named Ram Bhandar in Varanasi’s Thatheri Bazaar. This mithai was crucial in reviving the Indian independence struggle, despite its little contribution.
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Originally called Rashtriya barfi, these candies were made as slogans against the British censorship of media during the liberation fight. The barfi was a favorite dessert of the liberation fighters since it showed the three colors of the tricolor flag. at several regions of the nation, tiranga barfi is still given out at schools and other establishments on Independence and Republic Days.

To encourage the liberation struggle, the Ram Bhandar store also created additional candies with the names of well-known freedom warriors, such Jawahar Laddoo, Moti Pak, Madan Mohan, and Gandhi Gaurav, in addition to this tri-color delicacy. It is believed that these treats, together with tiranga barfi, spread like wildfire across the city and that local British government officials’ kitchens began to serve them.

The original recipe has been somewhat modified today since it required more time and costlier ingredients, but the sentiment and its link to the freedom fighters’ sacrifice endures. Presently, edible food coloring for saffron and green, together with mawa, are the primary components of this confection. So, be sure to sample the tiranga barfi anytime you are in Varanasi.