The History of Black Gram

We put a lot of focus on the health benefits of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) and its extraordinary nutritious content, but let’s take a few minutes to shift the topic from health to history. We are going to spend a few fun moments discovering where this incredible legume came from in the first place.

Who developed it? …and who was the first culture to recognize it as a superfood? Beyond simply being a food crop, we’ll see that black gram is closely entwined with an ancient culture and religious system we know today as Hinduism, but it has become a commodity that blesses international humanity.

Are you ready to dive into the history of black gram, where it began, and what it has become in our modern world?

Get ready for an exciting adventure that takes us across the world: the bronze age of ancient India. Listen for the echoing call of the emerald and blue peafowl, and breathe in the intoxicating fragrance of jasmine as we wind our way back a few thousand years to a beautiful and lush mountainous landscape.

Here we go!

The Earliest Variety of Black Gram

The Western Ghats mountain range that runs along the western edge of India is an amazing eco structure of biological diversity, and among many other types of native vegetation, there grows on those mountains a wild legume known as Vigna mungo var. silvestris. With its small yellow blooms and fuzzy seed pods, this plant is not demanding in appearance, yet it is the progenitor of a food crop that has fed and nourished thousands upon thousands of people throughout the centuries!

The Beginning of Domestication

Over 4,500 years ago, the great Indus River Valley Civilization was enjoying the height of wealth, luxury, and surprising technology. Long before Pakistan was partitioned off, this region along the Indus River was still considered part of India. Ruins of 1,052 brick cities and settlements have been unearthed; some, like Mohenjo-daro, are quite large. These cities featured sophisticated sanitation and water systems, artistic toys and seals, and a language that is incomparable to any other.

Also known as the Harappan Civilization, the Indus River Valley Civilization still remains very mysterious. There are plenty of artifacts with clear portions of the unique Indus Script, yet archeologists and scholars have not yet been able to decipher it. Perhaps one day the code will be cracked and we’ll be able to learn more of the details of this enormous ancient culture.

In this same time period and era (when the Indus River Valley Civilization was blooming),vigna mungo var. silvestris was being cultivated and developed into the domesticated variety of Vigna mungo L. that we know today. Archeologists have found evidence that the earliest cultivation of black gram took place in the region of Gujarat, at the top north end of the Western Ghats. From there it spread to other nearby areas.

Black Gram in Ancient Literature

The ancient Sanskrit word for black gram was masha, and we see this word appear multiple times in one of the most sacred early texts of India, the Mahabharata. This is quite an extensive epic poem that was composed around or before the 4th century BC. And by extensive, we’re talking about 200,000 verse lines, and 1.8 million words. It is known to be the longest poem in the world!

The authorship of the Mahabharata is attributed to the sage Vayasa (also known as Krishna Dvaipayana), and it contains detailed historical accounts concerning two rival families that founded the ancient people of India. It also records many moral laws, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest pieces of world literature.

The word masha (black gram) finds itself within this ancient epic more than once, indicating that it was a common food of the time. We see it mentioned in one instance where there is a law regarding the reincarnatory fate of a thief:

“That shameless and insensate man who, through tamas, steals paddy, barley, sesame, masha, kulattha, oil-seeds, oats, kalaya, mudga, wheat, atasi, and other kinds of grain, is born as a rat or mouse.“

Ayurvedic Practices

Far back in the history of Hinduism, there emerged a medicinal tradition known as Ayurveda. While there were schools in the 2nd Century BC that popularized Ayurvedic philosophies, Hindus believe that ultimately the traditions had been given directly from Brahma, the god that they say created the world.

The term Ayurveda is derived from two Sanskrit words; ayur (life) and veda (knowledge), together meaning “knowledge of life“. This ancient holistic approach to health utilizes food and herbs as the basis of preventative and healing care. Ayurvedic practitioners have used black gram as a treatment to manage the symptoms of countless maladies including, but not limited to:

• Cardiac disease
• Parkinson’s
• Constipation
• Erectile dysfunction
• Neurological disorders
• Paralysis
• Pains
• Asthma

The Modern Status of Black Gram

Today, black gram is still a highly important crop in the country of India, as well as other regions of Asia, Africa, Vietnam, and even Madagascar. India still exports the largest amount of black gram in the world, but other countries also export significant amounts too, like China, Thailand, Mayanmar, and Vietnam. Black gram comprises around 40% of legumes traded globally!

Human Food

Of course, black gram is the main ingredient in many delicious and nutritious Indian dishes. It can be used whole as a lentil, split and shelled, or even ground up for flour. Try to find another legume as nutrient dense as this lentil– if you come across one, let us know, because we have yet to find a rival!

With an impressive protein content of 26%, a host of other valuable nutrients, as well as its ability to resist disease and drought, black gram is being promoted as a promising potential answer to the threat of global food insecurity. The appreciation that the people of India have held for this legume for thousands of years is finally beginning to be shared by more of the world, and it’s about time! 

Animal Food

Black gram is also grown for livestock pasture and fodder. Even countries such as the United States of America and Australia that don’t culturally consume black gram as human food will grow it for their cattle due to its amazing nutrition; yes, it’s great for animals too!

Studies have shown, for instance, that dairy cows, when given supplementation of black gram fodder can increase milk production by 10%! It is being recognized as an economical choice, because it is not only beneficial to the health of the livestock, but it lowers the cost of feeding as well. 

Plant Food

Not only is it very beneficial as food for humans and livestock alike, black gram also improves the soil by depositing atmospheric nitrogen through its roots! Those roots can greatly improve the soil, and thus black gram can indirectly boost the production of other crops (such as maize) that are planted successively by 42-53%.

Ever heard of green manure? It’s the practice of growing a green leafy crop and then tilling it into the soil to build up the fertilization. Black gram makes a great green manure plant after the pods have been harvested, or else the plants can be left standing to continue their nitrogen-depositing and anti-erosion qualities.

Black gram is good for so many things!

Many Names in Many Languages

While such an extraordinary little bean is still maintaining its popularity primarily in South Asia, it has made a name for itself, at least to some degree, all around the world. For this reason, it has developed many diverse names. If you’re looking for it at your local Asian market and can’t find the name “black gram”, you can keep an eye out for some of these names as well:

• Urd/Urad bean
• Urd daal/dal
• Black lentil
• Black matpe bean
• Mungo bean
• Mash bean
• Minapa pappu

Try Black Gram for Yourself!

Now, after black gram has been nourishing humanity for thousands of years, you can make this ancient superfood a part of your life as well! We know you will come to love it as much as we do, and your body will thank you too!

If you have any questions or comments about black gram, be sure to contact us; we’ll do our best to help you out. And don’t forget to check out some of the amazing ways black gram can make a difference in the world today.

Happy eating!

Blackgram.com does not offer personal health or medical advice. Neither black gram nor any of the statements herein have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information provided on Blackgram.com is general in nature and informational only. Nothing on this site is intended as advice and should not be considered a substitute in any way for professional medical advice to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You should always consult your healthcare provider before starting any nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical, or wellness program.