Babarsa: Khirpai's 250-Year-Old Sweet, Paschim Medinipur's Pride

• Babarsa is a 250-year-old, inexpensive, chewy milk dessert from Khirpai, Paschim Medinipur, known for bringing fame to the region.
• Its origin has two theories: one links it to Edwards Babars, an English officer who protected Khirpai from Bargi attacks (1748-1753), and another suggests it was made to please Mughal Emperor Babur.
• Despite a past decline, Babarsa's popularity is increasing, with some sweet makers preserving its tradition for generations.
• The sweet is prepared by mixing flour, cashew nuts, and dalda oil, then frying and dipping in sweet juice.
• Local administration is lobbying for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Babarsa, which remains a landmark of the Khirpai area.

Why It Matters: A historic sweet defines a region's identity, facing modern challenges.