Berhampore: Murshidabad’s famed traditional sweet, Chanabara, has finally been awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, marking a moment of pride for the district and sweet lovers alike. The recognition, which came on March 31, has been hailed as a long-overdue honour for a delicacy with deep historical and cultural roots dating back to the 16th century Nawabi era.The GI tag formally establishes Chanabara as an intellectual property of India, giving it legal protection and enhancing its global identity. Local sweet makers and residents are jubilant about the development, which they say will boost the region’s economy and put Murshidabad on the international culinary map.Speaking to reporters, Swapan Bhattacharya, Joint Secretary of the Murshidabad District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “We, along with the district administration and local sweet shop owners, applied for the GI tag in 2019. It has finally been recognised, and we are proud of this heritage.”Baishakhi Bijoy Saha, a local sweet shop owner, said her late father Bijoy Saha, along with sweet makers Kajal Saha and Sujit Saha, were among those who campaigned for years to secure recognition for the sweet. “Many people from outside confuse Chanabara with Pantua or Gulab Jamun, but it is unique in both texture and taste,” she explained.Chanabara is known for its dark, almost burnt exterior and contrastingly soft, crispy interior. Made from chhana (cottage cheese), khoya, ghee, flour, cardamom, and other traditional ingredients, it offers a rich blend of springiness and gumminess, making it distinct from other Bengali sweets. The delicacy is also known for its long shelf life.According to local lore, the sweet was first crafted under the directive of a Nawab of Bengal who wanted a dessert that was unlike Rasgulla, Pantua, or Gulab Jamun — something both hard and soft, sweet yet robust. The challenge was taken up by Murshidabad’s renowned sweetmaker Nimai Mondal, along with artisans Patol Ostad and Gopeswar Saha from Saidabad, Berhampore. A massive 60-kg Chanabara was prepared to impress the Nawab’s guests, who were reportedly delighted by the unique creation.Historical references to the sweet can also be found in ancient texts, including Chaitanya Charitamrita, and in the 1898 book Mistanna Pak by Bipradas Mukherjee.Over the years, Chanabara has won the hearts of several national icons, including Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda, and former President Pranab Mukherjee. Shop owner Arun Das of Manjushri Sweets recalled that the sweet was gifted to leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during their visits to Murshidabad, most recently in 2014, 2021, and 2024.Former Berhampore Congress MLA Manoj Chakraborty recounted a special moment from 1991: “When Rajiv Gandhi visited Berhampore for the last time before his assassination, we gifted him 40 kilograms of Chanabara.”While the GI tag is expected to boost demand and bring international recognition to the sweet, some locals expressed concern that the official status might drive up prices.Despite such apprehensions, sweet shop owners remain optimistic. “This is a moment of pride for Murshidabad. We hope the GI tag will help Chanabara reach dessert lovers across the globe,” said Arun Das.With its newly acquired GI status, Chanabara is poised to become not just a regional favourite but a global ambassador of Bengal’s rich culinary legacy.
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