90% of India does not know, how did Mughals use ice without freezer?

Refrigerator: In the times of Mughals and kings and emperors, when there was no technology like refrigerators, how was ice supplied? Let's find out.

Refrigerator: As soon as the summer season arrives, people start looking for coolness. Be it cold water, sherbet or travel to cold places – everyone tries to get relief from the heat in some way. In today's time, we have devices like refrigerators, air conditioners and deep freezers which easily provide coolness. But imagine, when these modern means did not exist, how would ice have been arranged in the summer during the era of Mughals and kings and emperors?

In fact, ice was an important thing for the royal families even in those times. The use of ice was considered a mark of status not only for keeping food and drinks cool, but also for serving sherbet and cold water to guests in summer. Let us know how ice was arranged in those times and what interesting techniques were used.

Supply of ice from the Himalayas

During the Mughal period, the main supply of ice was from the snowy regions of North India - such as Kashmir, Himachal and Garhwal. Ice was collected in these areas in winter and preserved in a special way and then transported to the royal courts in summer. This task was not easy, as it was a big challenge to protect the ice from melting during the long journey.

Special routes and arrangements

It is mentioned in history that during the time of Mughal emperors Humayun and Akbar, special routes were built to bring ice from Kashmir to Delhi. There were routes along the Yamuna river in Delhi through which ice was brought. Horses, camels and mules were used to transport ice quickly on these routes.

Icehouse – Technology of storing ice

Special 'ice houses' were built to protect the royal ice from melting. These were underground cellars with thick and insulated walls. The ice was wrapped in straw, ash or cloth and kept in them so that it would remain cold and safe for a long time. Mughal emperor Jahangir has mentioned these ice houses in his autobiography 'Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri'.

Aabdar – Guardian of the Ice

The people who were responsible for looking after these ice houses and supplying ice to the royal kitchen were called 'Aabdar'. These employees ensured the quantity of ice, its quality and its timely supply. This was considered a respectable position.

Making ice by freezing water at night

In urban areas, where it was not possible to bring ice from the Himalayas, an interesting technique was adopted. During winter nights, water was kept in earthen pots in open fields or on rooftops. During the cold nights of North India, the temperature would fall so much that by morning the water would freeze on the surface. This ice was collected early in the morning and stored in icehouses.

Import of ice from abroad

In the 19th century, when maritime trade gained momentum, some wealthy royal families and British officials began importing ice from abroad. American merchant Frederick Tudor began exporting ice to India in 1833. Ice extracted from ponds near Boston was packed in straw and sent by ships to Kolkata, Madras and Bombay.

The role of snow in royal pomp

The use of ice in Mughal courts was not limited to just cooling drinks. It was also used to cool fruits, milk, sweets, and even in medicine. Ice was also used to apply cold bandages on injuries or fever. Babur has praised water cooled with ice in his autobiography.

Regional arrangements

In South India, where natural snow was not available, royal families like Mysore and Travancore used to get snow from hilly areas like Nilgiri. Whereas, Rajput kings of Rajasthan used to depend on the hilly areas of Central India or used the technique of freezing water at night. Some royal families even appointed special employees to bring snow who were called 'Barfwale'.

Thus, even in those times, human intelligence and management had found many ways to satisfy the desire for coolness. Ice was not just a thing, but a part of the royal lifestyle – which not only provided relief from the heat, but was also a symbol of status and beauty.

PC:Prabhatkhabar