Is Mysore Pak Related to Pakistan? The Truth Behind the Name Change in Jaipur
Source: telegraphindia.com
Recently, a few sweet shops in Jaipur changed the names of popular Indian sweets that had the word "Pak" in them. 'Moti Pak' became 'Moti Shree', 'Gond Pak' turned into 'Gond Shree', and even the legendary Mysore Pak was renamed as 'Mysore Shree'.
This sudden change came in the wake of Indo-Pak tensions following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 unarmed civilians were killed. In retaliation, India struck multiple terror hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Amid heightened emotions, shopkeepers reportedly took this step to avoid confusion, backlash, or targeted violence.
This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Earlier, some Karachi Bakery outlets in India faced vandalism—even though they have no connection to Pakistan’s Karachi.
But is there really any connection between Mysore Pak and Pakistan?
What is Mysore Pak?
Mysore Pak is a traditional Indian sweet made from gram flour (besan), ghee, and sugar. Popular across South India and beyond, the sweet is golden-yellow or brownish in color and cut into soft or porous cubes depending on the amount of ghee used.
The texture varies:
- With less ghee, it becomes hard and porous.
- With more ghee, it turns soft, moist, and dense.
It's a staple in festivals, weddings, and celebrations—unmistakably Indian in its flavor, ingredients, and origin.
What Does "Pak" Actually Mean?
Contrary to misconceptions, the word "Pak" in Mysore Pak has nothing to do with Pakistan.
It comes from the Sanskrit-rooted Hindi word “Paaka” (पाक), which refers to cooking or a prepared dish. In the context of sweets, “paak” specifically means a sugar syrup or cooked mixture. Many Indian confections use this terminology, such as Besan Pak, Gond Pak, etc.
So, Mysore Pak literally means "a sweet made in Mysore using a cooked sugar mixture."
The Royal Origin of Mysore Pak
The origin of this sweet goes back to the early 20th century in the royal kitchens of Amba Vilas Palace, Mysore.
Kakasura Madappa, the head chef of King Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV, experimented with ghee, gram flour, and sugar to create a new dessert. The result was an instant hit. The king loved it so much that he asked Madappa to make it available to the public.
The name “Mysore Pak” was coined by Madappa himself—"Mysore" in honor of the city and kingdom, and "Pak" to denote the cooking process of the sweet using paak (syrup).
Madappa later opened a sweet shop outside the palace, which still exists today, and the sweet soon became a national favorite.
Why Are Sweet Shop Owners Changing the Name?
In times of political tension, symbolic language can quickly become a flashpoint. Shopkeepers in Jaipur likely feared backlash from people who might mistakenly associate “Pak” with Pakistan due to its phonetic similarity.
To avoid any misunderstanding or violent incidents—as witnessed in the case of Karachi Bakery—some renamed the sweets to "Shree", a word symbolizing auspiciousness in Hindu tradition.
While these changes are precautionary, they often stem from misinformation and lack of historical awareness.
Mysore Pak is 100% Indian. Its name, ingredients, origin, and legacy are rooted in Indian culture and royal heritage. The “Pak” in its name is a reference to the cooking method and has no connection to Pakistan.
Understanding this helps preserve the cultural significance of India’s beloved sweets while discouraging unnecessary alterations based on misplaced associations.
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