TYPE 'biryani' on any search engine and this is what you come up with:

'A simple vegetarian curry, full of fresh Indian flavours, is quick to make and cooks in a single pot'. Not exactly a masterpiece of a definition, we say!

With so many unique versions of this versatile dish, it is not difficult to rate its popularity. But, what we want to know is, is there a perfect biryani? And if there is, what IS the perfect biryani?

The biryani kahani

Contrary to popular belief, the biryani did not originate in India. In fact, it didn't have any one specific place of origin!

Some people believe that Taimur Lang or Taimur the Lame, the great Muslim conqueror of the 14th century, brought the biryani to India, while others argue the Mughals brought it all the way from Persia. Still others offer that the biryani was brought in by Arab traders from across the Arabian Sea.

Although India boasts nearly 50 kinds of different biryanis, we give you four of India's best known: Kashmiri, Kolkata-style, Hyderabadi and Malabar-Calicut.