Mangifera indica: A Biography of the Mango

by Sopan Joshi

The mango, the king of fruits, is also the fruit of desire and the fruit of love. Every aspect of the tree is profoundly intertwined with Indian civilization. The leaves, flowers, and fruits of the mango are depicted in paintings and sculptures, and references to it are found in Indian literature through the ages and in several languages. It has played, and continues to play, an important role in religion, cuisine, and a variety of cultural forms. But do we really know all there is to know about this delectable fruit?
In this deeply researched and superbly written book, we go beyond the well-trodden stories of the obsessions of nawabs and kings and breathless annual debates about the best mangoes in the world. From the orchards where they grow to the vibrant markets redolent with their aroma, and ultimately to our tables, Mangifera indica describes every aspect of India’s favorite fruit. Book One begins with the history, origin, and the relevance of the mango in contemporary culture, including its place in religious rituals and festivals, literature, and diplomatic relations. Book Two takes us far back in time, 4,500 million years ago, to chart the coevolution of the ancestors of the mango and humans. In Book Three, we traverse the length and breadth of India, encountering a kaleidoscope of mango varieties—the fragrant Alphonso, sweet Kesar, succulent Dashehri, and dozens of others—as well as never before heard stories of growers, traders, distributors, and consumers.
An ambitious synthesis of reportage, history, biology, ecology, economics, and culture, Mangifera indica is the definitive account of India’s treasured fruit.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

Kindle Edition

Published July 5, 2024

Reviews

[Deotima Sarkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mangifera Indica: A Biography of Mango*l by Sopan Joshi

This book is an endearing portrait of the mango, India's favorite fruit. It is impressively researched and takes the reader on an in-depth journey into the tapestry of history, evolution, and cultural impact that the mango has undergone. This displays admiration in great erudition and love for his subject.

The book is divided into three engaging parts, the first of which deals with the storied past of the mango. It weaves historical anecdotes and cultural insights in a way that brings out, in rather vivid detail, just why it is that, at some very basic level, the mango enjoys such a revered place within Indian civilization. It is presented how the mango, from religious rituals down to important historical events, assumes a role with both depth and warmth.
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The next section is an evolutionary journey of the mango over 4.5 billion years. The blend of scientific detail with storytelling makes complex concepts clear and fascinating in this part. That is how the evolution of the mango and its relationship with human history are exposed in such a way that they are educative and enthralling.
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The final section whisks the reader into the present—a colorful, flamboyant journey across India's diversity of mangoes. The description of varieties like Alphonso, Kesar, and Dashehri is tinged with emotion and comes alive with personal experiences by Joshi, as well as growers, traders, and consumers. This section showcases not only the agricultural importance of the mango but also its effect on the culture impacting everyday life and business.
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This book is a detailed study and a celebration of a fruit that binds people across generations. For that alone, the book is an invitation to read for any person growing, selling, or simply enjoying mangoes. It's a vibrant, finely done tribute to the mango that leaves a reader in good taste with this luscious fruit and its history. Whether or not you do get that ultimate variety of mango, it is worth your while—the journey through its rich story.
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[Mahi Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mangifera indica – You read it right.

Have you ever thought you’d read a full biography of a mango? To be honest, I hadn't. I never imagined that I would read with such interest about the fruit I love and eagerly await every year.

Aleph makes everything possible, and an author like Sopan Joshi explains the vast and complex species in a very lucid and engaging way.

This book is mainly divided into three sections. Which includes.
1. History and Origin
2. Evolution and Types
3. Effects and Expansion

The most interesting part for me is Part 1. This section is filled with various stories that confirm why this fruit is truly the king of all. It explores how mangoes have been used to please people and how they have played a role in significant historical events.

The remaining sections delve into the evolution of mangoes, as well as their export and import. The author explains both the advantages and disadvantages of this business, highlighting every aspect in detailed way .Finally, the book captures the essence of connectivity across the entire nation through this beloved fruit.

Overall, it's a well-written book with much to learn. It provides deeper knowledge about the fruit you love to eat, share, and use to please others.

Book Title:- Mangifera indica
Author : Sopan Joshi

[Anuragini · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delicious read.

Sopan Joshi takes us into a journey that begins with his personal experiences of tasting mangoes, then to the its evolution, formation of continents, evolution of species, seeds, flora and fauna and then brings us back to the different ways mango is grown, remembered and sold across India. The depth and influence of the species can only imagined as one reads through the three books (parts). Full of anecdotes, facts, nuggets of information, the book is backed by years of research, which is Sopan's trademark.

I went down memory lane while reading the book, and have ended up eating up way more mangoes this summer, than what I can remember.

[Anshuman Singh 'त्रिशंकु' · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me an entire Mango season to finish this. And I cherished it, slowly, just like how I enjoy the Mangoes.
The book skillfully merges the diverse worlds of commerce, ecology, pedology, horticulture, evolution, history, and culture. And it serves an experience as rich as the mango varieties in India.

[Arka James Saha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, the book has an amazing cover. That’s what caught my eye. And then the topic itself.
The book was an absolute delight and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And yes, next time I bite into a succulent mango I will remember and honour the multitude of tales that it brings along with it.

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Mango Mubarak-
Review of 'Mangifera indica'

Although Mangifera indica is presented as the biography of the mango, it is more like a love letter to what's called the king of all fruits. Dragonfruit, step aside and make way for the big daddy.
Although Dragon fruit might be all the rage on the Indian wedding scene, where people who have nothing to do with any fruit diet flock to the fruitchaant stall like their life depended on it, mango is still the king inside most of the middle as well as upper class homes.

Joshi writes a deeply personal prologue, reminiscing about his Indore days. It is in his childhood days on trips to cousins' homes where the roots of his mango passion lies. An uncle introduced him to mango and his lifelong love story thus started.

Part one of the book talks about the history, origin, and the relevance of the mango in contemporary culture, including its place in religious rituals and festivals, literature,and diplomatic relations. Part two takes us far back in time, 4,500 million years ago, to chart the co-evolution of the ancestors of the mango and humans. In third part, we traverse the length and breadth of India, encountering a kaleidoscope of mango varieties-the fragrant Alphonso, sweet Kesar, succulent Dashehri, and dozens of others-—as well as never before heard stories of growers, traders,distributors, and consumers.
An ambitious synthesis of the stories and facts about mango if there ever was one.

[Sankalp Awasthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mangifera Indica - A biography of the Mango : Review

If I peer out of my window right now, the canopy of the mango tree in the park is barely visible. The tree is lush green, but bereft of any signs of the mango fruit. But I know the flowers will come in a couple months, followed by the green pearls of sourness, and that will be it. Stones will be thrown, Keris collected and the tree will be bare before any shade of yellow comes on the fruit. ‘Mangifera Indica - A biography of the Mango’ by Sopan Joshi is an attempt to understand the madness behind this king of fruits.

The book is well researched, and divided into 3 parts explaining the history, geography, and biology of the fruit. If you are bored by scientific innuendoes, you can give the biology section (The fruit of wilderness) a skip, but I highly recommend you go through this as well. The book talks about the religious and historical significance of the mango, how it is cultivated and sold, and above all, what is about the mango that made even the stingy Indian airlines allow passengers leeway to carry a crate onboard. Filled with anecdotes and interviews with those closest to the fruit, this book is a must read to understand the fruit and the indian obsession to it.

[Arjun Butani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book glorifies the importance of the famed mango.
Sopan Joshi explains in details the several reasons why mango indeed is the king of all fruits.

In these essays, Joshi starts with mango and it's importance to South Asian history- from being present in Mughal and Rajasthani miniature art, to garden designs, to the significance of mango baghs or mango gardens. Further in the book, the book teaches the readers the biology and agriculture of the famous fruit and later, how society, economics and politics view the mango.

The book besides being the encyclopedia of mangoes, is an eye opener and every page will make your mouth drool for a juicy mango.

[Kanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover of the book was too enticing, to be left unread. I feel Mango has that tempting quality, be it a picture or the fruit itself. We all have atleast one memory related to the fruit.
The book is a detail story of humble Mango, the anecdotes, the struggles and the love. There are three parts and 18 chapters in total. If you can bear with the science behind genetics and evolution, overall it’s an interesting book. The best part is the variety of mangoes mentioned. The parts where mangoes are grown throughout the year, to the shy variety which might give a handful of fruit every second year.
Good to read during the season, so that you can eat the delicious fruit too.

[anil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic off beat book on Mangoes.
There is not an Indian who doesn’t love mangoes. Or you can say -those who love mangoes and those who haven’t fallen in love with mangoes yet.

The king of fruit deserved the limelight that the author provided, enthusiastically.

The question only remains which mango is the best.
I vote for Dashehri. (but I’m from North India…) 😄

Thank you, Sopan Joshi for bringing this delightful book to life.

[Thaths · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wide-ranging, meandering study of the Mango. I liked the sections on the origins, Botony, Sociology and Horticulture of mangoes. The sections on mango in Art and Culture less so.

[Malyaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well researched and fun to read book on the Mango.

[Manu Smriti · Rating 5 out of 5]

'As Jonko explained to me, the evidence is not to be found in books and experts. Often, it is found in tombstones and trees.'

[Dr Tejinder Singh Rawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing. Every mango lover should read this book.

[Satyam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very delectable book, loved it.