GI tag for Hyderabad's Haleem renewed for 10 more years

Hyderabad: The Geographical Indication tag of Hyderabad's most popular Haleem has been renewed for ten more years. This comes after the GI tag of the city's most favourite dish expired in 2019 and the Haleem Makers Association applied for a renewal of the GI tag. Senior examiner of Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) under the Union Ministry of Commerce Prashanth Kumar S Bhairappanavar said in a renewal letter that the GI tag will be valid till 2029.

Hyderabadi Haleem got a GI tag in 2010. Apparently, it is also the first non-vegetarian dish in India to get this status.

Haleem is a type of stew made of meat, lentils, and pounded wheat made into a thick paste. Originally an Arabic dish, it was brought to Hyderabad by Chaush people (people who were brought from Yemen to serve as military men to the Nizams) during the Nizam rule. During the festive month of Ramzan, the streets of Hyderabad became filled with Haleem makers for Iftar.

According to the Haleem Makers Association, 'Haleem' has its origins elsewhere away from India. But after its entry into the historic city of 'Hyderabad'(Deccan region) in India, which was ruled by the Qutub Shahi & Asaf Jahi dynasties, it has blended perfectly with the local flavour in the Deccan region and has undergone a significant transformation. The Hyderabadi Haleem is quite different in taste, texture, flavour, and various parameters from the 'Haleem' it was.