The Mango is the national
fruit. It has been cultivated in India since time immemorial. There are
over 100 varieties of mangos in India, in a range of colors, sizes, and
shapes. Common in the tropical part of the world, mangos are savored for
their sweet juice and bright colors.
People in India eat mangos ripe, or prepare them green as pickles or
chutneys. They are rich in vitamin A, C, and D. The poet Kalidasa sang
its praises. Alexander the great savoured its taste, as did the Chinese
pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Akbar planted 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga,
known as Lakhibagh.
