Indua's Ancient Beer Culture: Exploring Historical Drinking Habits

Alcohol consumption in India has been a topic of interest for many, with the country witnessing a rise in alcohol consumption over the last few decades. While the traditional drinking culture in India prohibited most alcoholic drinks, with alcohol only being consumed at important traditional events, the modern drinking culture in India has seen a shift towards the adoption of western drinking habits, with drinking becoming a common habit.

In ancient times, the Indians brewed their own traditional alcoholic drinks, with rice beer being produced by native tribes since ancient times. The introduction of European beer to India by the British in the 18th century further diversified the alcohol market in the country.

Today, India's alcohol market is growing, driven by factors such as rising disposable income and urbanization. However, the problems related to illicit alcohol remain, with hundreds of people losing their lives every year due to the consumption of illegally brewed liquor.

When it comes to Native Americans in the United States, the history of alcohol consumption and its effects are quite different. Prior to European colonization, some Native American tribes produced weak beers or other fermented beverages, but these were primarily used for ceremonial purposes. The distillation of stronger alcoholic beverages was unknown.

The introduction of large amounts of alcohol by European colonists had a significant impact on Native American communities, as they had little time to develop social, legal, or moral guidelines to regulate alcohol consumption. This led to a high prevalence of alcohol abuse and related problems within these communities.

Overall, the topic of alcohol consumption among Indians, both in India and among Native Americans in the United States, is complex and multifaceted, with a variety of cultural, historical, and socioeconomic factors influencing drinking habits and the alcohol industry in these regions.

Alcohol was consumed by the ancient Indians as early as 2000 BCE

The Rig Veda, the most ancient extant literature on the subject, mentions that "soma (wine) was kept in leather bottles, and freely sold to all comers". Passages in the Rig Veda also indicate that the liquor was freely consumed and incorporated with the worship of Soma – the moon god. The process of preparing the intoxicating liquor is alluded to in the Rig Veda, with precise directions.

Another beverage, Soma, was consumed by nobles and saints, seers or holy men. Soma is said to have been prepared by pressing the sap from an unidentified plant to obtain a juice that was mixed with water, milk, or honey.

Alcoholic beverages have also been mentioned in ancient texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and Vedas.

Sura was a strong beer made from grain, popular with the Kshatriyas and peasants

Sura was made from a combination of fermented beverages. The ingredients used in its preparation are mentioned in the Atharvaveda in Kandas 5 and 8. These include malted grain, malted barley, grilled or roasted grain, roasted rice grains, and flour or paste made from pulses and spices. The utensils used in the brewing process were made of wood, bamboo, clay, and animal hair.

Sura was consumed during weddings and funeral rites, as well as during Brahmanic rituals. The Satapatha Brāhmana describes the preparation of ingredients and the beer in the caraka version of the sautrāmani ritual. The brewing process involved crushing and cooking the ingredients, drying and crushing them again, and then leaving the mixture to ferment. The fermented mash was then filtered through a sieve made of animal hair.

Sura was also mentioned in the two odes to the beer-surā in the Paippalāda Samhitā, part of the Atharva-Veda, one of the four Vedas, sacred texts of the ancient Vedic religion and Hinduism. The first ode praises the destructive nature of beer-surā, while the second ode celebrates its blessings.

Soma was a spirit-like beverage, restricted to nobles and saints

In the Vedic tradition, soma is a ritual drink of great importance among the early Vedic Indo-Aryans. The Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedic texts, mentions it, particularly in the Soma Mandala. The drink is also mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 9, verse 20.

Soma is believed to be a fermented juice drink, prepared by extracting the juice from a plant. The identity of this plant is unknown and debated among scholars, with various traditional Indian and non-Indian accounts differing on its origin. The drink is thought to be an elixir, with healing and uplifting qualities, and is often connected with rituals and the moon.

Soma is personified by the god of the same name, who is the god of sacrifices and may be associated with the moon. The drink is described and praised in the Rigveda, and it is believed that the Hindu gods and their ancient priests, the brahmanas, consumed it during rituals. Soma is also considered to be the favourite drink of the god Indra.

In mythology, the gods gained their immortality by drinking Soma, and it was given to the archer-god Gandharva for safekeeping. However, Agni, the fire god, stole it and gave it to humanity. The consumption of Soma by humans is well-attested in Vedic ritual, and it is considered a sacred beverage that brings humans closer to the divine.

Due to its sacred nature and perceived divine qualities, Soma was likely restricted to nobles and saints, ensuring that only those of high status or spiritual importance had access to this revered beverage.

Alcohol was used for medicinal purposes

Alcohol has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The medicinal use of alcohol was mentioned in Sumerian and Egyptian texts dating back to around 2100 BC. The Hebrew Bible also recommends giving alcoholic drinks to the dying or depressed, so they can forget their misery (Proverbs 31:6–7).

In antiquity, alcohol was used as a general anaesthetic. It was also used as an antiseptic as early as 1363, with evidence to support its use becoming available in the late 1800s. During the Middle Ages, when public sanitation was poor, the consumption of alcoholic drinks was a way of avoiding water-borne diseases such as cholera.

In the early 19th century, alcohol was the main painkiller used in surgery. By the early 19th century, especially in England, there was widespread use of alcohol in medical treatments of various kinds. It was used to treat ailments ranging from snakebites to disease control. It was also used to sedate women during labour.

However, the rise of scientific medicine after 1850 led to changing views, and by the end of the century, the therapeutic value of alcohol was widely disputed and discredited among advanced practitioners. In 1916, whiskey and brandy were removed from the list of scientifically approved medicines in The Pharmacopeia of the United States of America.

Alcohol was also used in religious rituals

The IVC is known for its advanced urban culture, with a focus on hygiene and sanitation. The streets of major cities such as Mohenjo-daro and Harappa were laid out in a perfect grid pattern, with covered drains lining the major streets. Houses had access to water and drainage facilities, indicating a relatively egalitarian society. The civilization also had advanced architecture, including dockyards, granaries, warehouses, brick platforms, and protective walls.

While the IVC lacked large monumental structures, evidence suggests that religious ceremonies and practices were important. Seals, figurines, and other artifacts provide insights into their religious beliefs and practices. For example, the Pashupati Seal, depicting a figure with a horned headdress, has been interpreted as an early form of the Hindu god Shiva. Other seals show animals, possibly as objects of veneration, and there are also seals resembling a figure in a yogic posture.

The IVC is believed to have contributed to the development of Hinduism, with remnants of its culture amalgamating with that of other peoples over time. The abundance of female fertility figurines suggests the worship of a Mother Goddess, similar to Shakti and Kali in Hinduism. Additionally, the importance of bathing and personal cleanliness in the IVC may have influenced Hindu practices.

While the specific rituals and practices involving alcohol in the IVC are not well-documented, it is likely that alcohol played a role in religious ceremonies and offerings, similar to other ancient civilizations. Alcoholic beverages, such as sura, brewed from rice, wheat, sugarcane, and fruits, were consumed in the IVC, and alcohol was likely used in religious contexts as well.

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