History has a way of surprising us in the smallest ways. A recent find on social media has people pausing to take a closer look. It’s a dinner menu from 1897, showing what the Maharaja of Baroda served to the Maharaja of Gwalior. What makes it special is how it mixes Indian tradition with European dining styles, giving a rare peek into how Indian royalty entertained their guests more than a hundred years ago.Historian Neha Vermani, who studies Mughal South Asia and food history, shared the menu online. She came across it while exploring archives. The menu is dated January 31, 1897, and records a formal dinner at the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Gujarat, hosted by the Maharaja of Baroda for the Maharaja of Gwalior.

French flavours in an Indian palace

The menu is surprising because most dishes are in French and prepared in European style. Vermani captured that perfectly, writing:“Not what you’d expect a 19th-century dinner hosted by the Maharaja of Baroda for the Maharaja of Gwalior to look or taste like, featuring truffles, artichokes, and way too many fancy French names & stuff.”It shows that Indian royalty were not only aware of European cuisine but also liked to include it in their meals to impress guests.The dinner started with Iotage d’Amandes, which is like an almond custard or flan, likely served as a light starter. Next came Poisson braisé sauce mayonnaise, braised fish with a rich mayonnaise sauce.One of the fancy dishes was Crème de Volaille truffée, a creamy chicken soup with truffles. For the main course, there were Côtelettes de mouton à l’Italienne, which are lamb cutlets cooked in Italian style with herbs. Another special dish was Selle de perdreau rôtie aux petits pois, a roast saddle of partridge served with fresh peas. Vegetables were served as Fonds d’artichauts à la demi-glace, which are artichoke bottoms cooked in a rich brown sauce. There was also Curry de Macédoine de légumes et riz, a vegetable and rice curry that added a familiar Indian touch.For dessert, there were Pommes à la crème, apples cooked with cream, and Glace de Pistachio, pistachio ice cream to end the meal on a sweet note.

Social media reacts

The menu quickly went viral. One user wrote:“After visiting the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, I realised that Indian princes lived like Western aristocrats. Because it reminded me of the palaces I had grown up visiting in Rajasthan. Also BTW, a couple of those items are Indian items described in French.”Another reflected on the purpose of these grand dinners:“The chief purpose of such banquets was/is to dazzle and overwhelm.”Some reactions were shorter, like “Very swadeshi.” Others were surprised by the date itself:“31-1-97 always meant 1997 for me. 1897 is beyond my imagination.”One user summed it up nicely, calling it an “interesting find.”

Why this menu matters

Vermani says the original menu is now stored in an archive in the United States. Beyond listing dishes, it gives a glimpse into how Indian elites blended local and global culture. It shows that food was not just about eating; it was about style, status, and sophistication.Even after more than a century, this little menu continues to spark curiosity and conversations. It’s a reminder that history can be vivid and fascinating, even through something as simple as a dinner menu.Disclaimer: This story is based on a viral social media post and user comments. The Times of India does not independently verify the authenticity.Thumb image: X