Tiranga Barfi, a symbolic sweet that played a significant role in the Indian independence movement, was invented in 1940 by Madan Gopal Gupta, then the director of the renowned Ram Bhandar sweet shop in Varanasi. It wasn’t just a simple confection; this tricolor barfi became a medium for secret communication and a form of protest against British rule. Gupta, along with other revolutionaries, created this barfi to mirror the banned tricolour, the symbol of India’s fight for freedom.
During the pre-independence era, when displaying the Indian tricolour was prohibited by the British, the Tiranga Barfi was made to subtly express defiance and nationalism. The sweet was distributed among revolutionaries and locals to spread the spirit of resistance and solidarity. The British authorities, upon discovering the barfi with the colors of the forbidden flag, were reportedly shocked and taken aback by the creativity and boldness of this gesture.
Interestingly, this barfi, which is still widely available in Varanasi, retains its historical significance and continues to be associated with the freedom struggle. Ram Bhandar, the original maker, is still known for producing this sweet with its authentic flavor, preserved for decades since the 1940s. The Tiranga Barfi uses natural ingredients to recreate the colors of the Indian flag—saffron, pistachio, khoya, and cashews. The saffron layer is made with saffron, giving the top of the barfi its distinct orange hue. Pistachios are used for the green layer, and a combination of khoya (reduced milk) and cashew nuts form the white section of the barfi.
In 2024, the Tiranga Barfi was officially recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, cementing its place in India’s culinary heritage. This recognition not only highlights the historical importance of the sweet but also protects its traditional recipe, ensuring that its legacy continues for generations to come.
