chapati
What is a chapati?
Where did the chapati originate and how did it spread?
How is Indian chapati traditionally prepared?
What are some variations of chapati?
chapati, unleavened flatbread of Indian origin made from wheat flour dough. Also called roti, it is often served with vegetables, dal (a cooked lentil dish), and curries. Although chapatis are a staple of Indian diets, similar types of flatbreads are found in many other countries. Chapatis and their variations are found in East and South Africa, the Caribbean, and South and Southeast Asia.
Etymology and origin
The word chapati is derived from the Sanskrit word carpatī, meaning “thin cake,” which is in turn derived from the word carpata, or “flat.” This refers to the traditional method of shaping chapatis by slapping them between the palms of the hands. Chapatis have been a staple in Indian households for many centuries and are even mentioned in old Sanskrit texts.
The chapati originated in the Indus valley civilization and later spread to Southeast and Central Asia, East Africa, and the Caribbean, where it remains part of the everyday diet.
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However, some historical accounts claim that the chapati originated in East Africa and was later brought to the Indian subcontinent by travelers or merchants. The chapati made its way across Asia via travelers; its flat circular shape allowed it to fare well on journeys as an edible vessel for food.
Preparation
- Knead into a soft and smooth dough. Cover and let it rest for about 15–20 minutes before making chapatis.
Each country has its preferred ways to make and serve chapatis. In India, for instance, the bread is made with whole wheat flour dough, which is rolled into a flat circle and then placed on a griddle until one side is cooked. The other side is then cooked by placing it directly over an open flame with the help of tongs, causing it to puff up and become soft. Traditionally, chapatis are cooked on a tawa, which is a heavy-duty flat pan popular in South Asian countries. However, some opt to use a cast-iron skillet instead.
One of the most popular variations of chapati is paratha (also called parantha), which is stuffed with vegetables and sometimes paneer (Indian cottage cheese) to give it a rich flavor and beautiful specks of color. Because of its hearty mix-ins, paratha can often be enjoyed as a standalone meal.
In Guyana, roti, a variation of chapati, is popular. The Guyanese roti is made with refined wheat flour and is closer to a buttery, flaky paratha. The South African roti is also prepared using refined wheat flour in a paratha style and is lathered with ghee or butter.
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Chapati movement (1857)
At one point in history, chapatis were at the center of a mystery that took South Asia by storm. In 1857, during Britain’s rule of India, it was brought to British officials’ attention that thousands of chapatis were being distributed by watchmen and others from village to village throughout the subcontinent. No one knew what had started the so-called chapati movement, but the British interpreted it as an act of defiance by Indian villagers against British governance, an interpretation shaped by the fact that few officers understood or spoke Indian languages. Conversely, many Indians thought the movement to be a British operation, with rumors circulating in both directions.
Some British officers believed the chapati transfers were an act of rebellion and that they actually contained secret messages, but, upon examination of the bread, no messages were ever found. Some suggest that the movement originated to distribute food to those affected by cholera and that the original intention was lost as distribution increased. While the chapati movement did indeed precede the Indian Rebellion of 1857—which began just one month after initial reports of the movement—as well as revolts in central and northern India, there is no historical evidence of a definite connection between the two. Following the mutiny, the East India Company was abolished in favor of the British directly ruling India. The British raj would remain in power until the mid-20th century.