The idea of being vegetarian is certainly something that has increased in popularity in recent years, but do you know the roots of what has become known as modern-day vegetarianism? The answer is, perhaps not surprisingly, India.

Vegetarianism has been a staple part of Indian life for centuries with its origins in religious texts whereby animals were often regarded as being sacred. Also, there was a monetary issue connected to it since meat was expensive, whereas the poor could grow their own vegetables or had a better chance of purchasing them.

Even though the Indian economy is more stable today, it also accounts for the biggest percentage of vegetarians in the world. It is believed that as many as 70% of all vegetarians are in India, so if you are seeking any kind of inspiration as to the different vegetarian dishes you should be experimenting with, then looking at Indian cooking would certainly be advisable.