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Today we enjoy stopping at a nice dhaba on the highway for a weekend or a trip. Sitting under the open sky, relaxing on wooden cots (khatlis) and having a scrumptious meal is a unique experience. But did you know? The ‘Dhaba Culture’ that has become a major attraction for tourists today actually started as a necessity for Indian truck drivers. This journey is very interesting and changing the economy of Indian highways.

How did it start?

A few decades ago when India’s highway network was expanding, truck drivers had to travel thousands of kilometers. Day and night travel, untimely meals and fatigue used to make the drivers nervous. At such times, some local people set up small shops along the highways. Where drivers can get cheap, fresh and home-style meals. This is our original ‘dhaba’.

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Beds, relaxation and authentic food

The real identity of a dhaba is its ‘Khat’ or ‘Khatli’. Drivers used to break their limbs after driving for hours on end. Therefore, these woven cots were placed on the dhabas for rest along with meals. It became part of the drivers’ lifestyle to lie down until the meal arrived, stretch their limbs and take a short nap after the meal.

The food here was also to the liking of the drivers—rich in oil and spices, fresh and hearty. This culture started from the dhabas in Punjab and gradually spread throughout Maharashtra and the country. Authentic Gavran bet, vegetables, bread and kharda are available at dhabas in Maharashtra.

Economy of drivers and network of dhabas

Dhabas were not only places to eat, but also a ‘bank’ and ‘information centre’ for truck drivers. Drivers used to get loans at many dhabas. On which highway there is traffic, where police checking is going on, or where the road is bad, chats used to be held at these dhabas. This need for drivers changed the local economy along the highway and created employment for millions.

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A new tourist attraction

Over time, people living in the city got into the habit of going out of the city on weekends. While traveling on the highway, he became attracted to these dhabas and their food. Today many dhabas have been converted into large family restaurants, with family cabins, music and lighting.

Even though dhabas are modernized today, the original concept is rooted in truck drivers. So the next time you order mutton-bakri or dal-tadka at a dhaba on the highway, be sure to remember those truck drivers who carry the nation’s economy on their shoulders!