How a fish came to be known as Bombay Duck

Fried, dried, or soaked in a fragrant gravy, Bombay Duck or Bombil is a beloved Maharashtrian delicacy. What’s more interesting than the popularity of the dish is its name, which has no relation to a duck of any kind. Bombay Duck is a somewhat slithery, somewhat slimy fish with a pink tinge to their grey bodies.

The root of its peculiar name lies in the long journey the fish undertook during the British Raj. According to British-Parsi writer Farrukh Dhondy in his book Bombay Duck, the British became such ardent fans of the fish that they began exporting it from Mumbai (then Bombay) to various parts of India and eventually to England.

The mail trains from Bombay carried the fish to other British stations and the fish became synonymous with Bombay Daak (vernacular for mail). The British struggled to pronounce the word ‘daak’ and eventually, it became ‘duck’ and has remained so ever since.

Other possible explanations include the Anglicization of the local Marathi name for the fish, Bombil, or a corruption of the bazaar cry ‘Bombil tak’, which loosely means ‘here is the Bombil’.

Bombay's beloved Bombil

The versatile nature of this fish is what makes it a crowd favourite. When dried, it becomes pungent and crisp and can be ground into a vinegary chutney. However, its crispy golden fried variant remains the most popular.

The Bombil is beloved across many cultures. Parsi households cherish their tangy red Tarapori Patio, typically eaten with bland mori dal and rice. Maharashtrians, on the other hand, prepare a delicious gravy dish with fresh Bombil, brinjals, and potatoes. It is also a staple of Anglo-Indian cuisine.

The fact that the fish lacks a distinct flavour of its own means it can be transformed into just about anything. This is also why many fishermen dry the fish in the sun and sell it for making pickles and spice blends.

The Bombil, or Bombay Duck, is not a particularly visually appealing fish and is known for its distinct pungent smell. Yet, through the years, this fish has become a mascot for Mumbai.

*This article has been curated by Hook. All claims and opinions expressed belong to the original author. Hook does not verify or endorse the information presented and is not responsible for its accuracy.*

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