Khurasani Imli from Mandu Receives GI Tag
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Khurasani Imli from Madhya Pradesh's Mandu region awarded Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. |
| Date of Recognition | June 22, 2026 |
| Location | Mandu, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, India. |
| Scientific Name | Fruit of the African Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata). |
| Common Names | Mandu Imli, Gorilla Tamarind, Monkey Bread Tree, Upside-Down Tree. |
| Key Features | - Distinctive sweet-sour taste with cream-of-tartar flavor. - High nutritional and medicinal value. - Baobab tree stores water, survives droughts. |
| Reason for GI Tag | - Mandu has India's largest natural cluster of Baobab trees. - Unique soil and climatic conditions influence fruit quality. - Strong historical and cultural association with Mandu. |
| Historical Background | - Introduced to Central India 600 years ago. - Possibly brought by Sultan of Khurasan, Arab traders, or African soldiers. - Named "Khurasani Imli" due to origin and resemblance to tamarind. |
| Cultural Significance | - Planted along trade/military routes for sustenance during travel. - Symbol of Mandu's heritage. |
| GI Tag Protection | Prevents imitation; only genuine producers in Mandu can use the name "Mandu Ki Khurasani Imli". |