All the gullies of Chandni Chowk house a special drink with a baby pink colour served with rose petals, ice and fresh fruits. Liked by all age-groups, this drink known as Roof-Afza originated in these very lanes.
In 1907, the narrow lanes of Lal Kuan Bazaar in Old Delhi witnessed the birth of an iconic elixir. In a modest clinic, known as Hamdard Dawakhana, a hakim (herbalist) mixed and matched ingredients to create a drink that would refresh and hydrate his patients, soothing away the ailments brought by the relentless heat. The scent was unmistakable - roses. Word spread quickly for the drink and soon a curious crowd gathered outside the Dawakhana. By nightfall, the hakim's first batch was finished, distributed among eager patrons who would pass down stories of its taste and smell for generations to come.
According to Hamdard Laboratories, the company that grew from this humble beginning, the original formula contained over a dozen herbs and flowers. Rose petals were the star ingredient, complemented by cooling agents like kewra and watermelon. The hakim's aim was to create a drink that was not only refreshing but also had medicinal properties according to Unani principles.
Initially, Roohafza was distributed free of charge to patients visiting the clinic. Its popularity grew rapidly, spreading through the labyrinthine streets of Old Delhi. As reported in "The Economic Times," commercial production began in 1910, marking the birth of Hamdard (meaning "companion in suffering" in Persian) as a company.
The partition of India in 1947 led to the division of Hamdard into two separate entities - one in India and another in Pakistan. Despite this split, Roohafza's popularity continued to soar on both sides of the border. In India, under the leadership of Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the founder's son, Roohafza became a household name.
Over the decades, Roohafza has maintained its iconic status. A study by Nielsen, as cited in "The Hindu Business Line" in 2019, revealed that Roohafza commanded a 45% market share in the non-carbonated drinks segment in India. The drink has also expanded globally, finding popularity in countries with significant South Asian populations.
As summer temperatures soar, the sight of street vendors mixing Roohafza with milk or water continues to be a common sight in Old Delhi and beyond. This crimson elixir, born over a century ago in the bustling lanes of Lal Kuan Bazaar, remains a beloved companion to Indians seeking respite from the heat. Its legacy, as vibrant as its color and as enduring as its rose-scented allure, continues to refresh and inspire, just as it did on that sweltering summer day in 1907.
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