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Don’t miss char koni naan while in Purani Haveli
Purani Haveli\'s known to be the place or origin of the square or char koni naan in Hyderabad. The place gets its name from the Haveli which was built for the Nizam of Hyderabad - Sikander Jah III.
Purani Haveli's known to be the place or origin of the square or char koni naan in Hyderabad. The place gets its name from the Haveli which was built for the Nizam of Hyderabad - Sikander Jah III.
The area was known as Haveli Khadeem in earlier days. Over the years, the area around the Haveli also got the name Purani Haveli. It has some fantastic food options and showcases some of the best Muslim food in Hyderabad. But this area is also a little less well-to-do in comparison to the traditional affluent business areas of Charminar, Laad Bazaar and surrounding areas. Hence, the emphasis is more on cheaper food options like beef over mutton (goat). The food in Purani Haveli is also priced much lower than that which is available in the more affluent and well-known-touristy-areas of Charminar, Gulzar House, etc.
The Hyderabadi naan, popularly known as 'Char koni naan' or 'Naan ki roti', is known to have originated in Purani Haveli. On both sides of the road, you'll find an array of these naan shops selling just bread and nothing else. It's just so heartening to see these old traditions still being continued in Hyderabad and not getting diluted or fizzled out.
163-year-old Munshi Naan
Munshi naan was established in 1851 in Purani Haveli. Even the current incumbents don't know where the original shop was located. The shop moved into its current location in Purani Haveli some 60-70 years ago. Hussain, who started this shop in 1851, was said to have worked as a Munshi with the Nizam of Hyderabad. He left for some unknown reason. He either retired or was kicked out. He then started this naan shop, which was probably better for him as Hyderabad got some wonderfully shaped bread.
He was probably still called Munshi even after retirement and that's how the shop got its name. There could have been other shops as old as Munshi Naan in Hyderabad, if not older, but none from the era have survived. The other naan shops in Purani Haveli and some in Nampally are more recent introductions to the Hyderabad scene.
Munshi Naan makes five basic shapes of the bread, the char koni naan being the most popular. Locals say that it's easy to tear this naan into four pieces and share at a table. The other shapes of the Hyderabadi naan are a completely round shape, the oblong or the classic naan shape that we see elsewhere, the star shape, and the pan or heart shape.
The pan shape is made for weddings as an accompaniment to Marag, the Hyderabadi stew of mutton on the bone flavoured with yoghurt, coconut and almond. The Hyderabadi naan is made from maida, oil and water and the original recipe is not supposed to use yeast. Also, the bread is supposed to be 'proved' overnight. Proving refers to a specific rest period that allows the rising of the dough. It happens just prior to baking. The 'proven' bread is then cooked in an underground tandoor or clay oven. The star shaped naan is probably the least popular and is bought only for special functions at home like birthdays and for special guests.
