There are a large amount of delicacies that are inspired by the beautiful village of Murree, an Indian paradise nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. But why is this so important? We believe that the specific cultural inspirations that have been gained from this beautiful village have allowed for the creation of a unique yet familiar experience for all lovers of Indian food in the Birmingham and West Midlands area. Thus we would like to present you with a brief history of the village of Murree and the food it has helped inspire.

Murree is currently a beautiful resort town that lies in the Himalayan foothills, approximately 7500ft above sea level. It is located on the southern slopes of the hills leading towards Kashmir, from which many of the techniques that a number of Indian chefs used originate.

In fact its reputation for beauty is further exemplified by the fact that it has earned the name "Queen of the Hills" thanks to the beautiful surroundings and wonderful climate. There are also conflicting opinions of the origin of the name Murree, with some believing that the name is derived from the word 'marhi' meaning high place. This would make sense from a purely geographical perspective, however there are some camps who insist it is named after the Virgin Mary, most likely as a result of the British occupation of the village in the 19th century.

The village was founded in 1851 by the then Governor of the Punjab, Sir Henry Lawrence, and was originally intended as a garrison for British troops stationed in the Punjab area of England. This auspicious start gave rise to a culture clash between the British and the native Punjab and Kashmiri people that gave rise to many of the techniques used in the traditional Murree style of cooking we use today. This makes the stunning Indian food cooked by our expert chefs perfect for the English palette as well as the Indian and Pakistani palette.

Murree hasn't always been idyllic, as a war between the English colonists and the surrounding tribes in Murree, specifically the Dhond Abbasi and Tanoli tribes. Eventually agreements were reached that enabled all to live in relative peace, with the area being reclaimed for the most part in future years.

Murree provides a different atmosphere from much of the rest of Pakistan and the Punjab. Its location ensures cooler climates to much of the rest of the country thanks to the Himalayas, thus making it a perfect resort town for tourists who, as well as enjoying the cooler climate, can also enjoy an atmosphere inhabited by many rare animals, including the beautiful leopard. This ensures Murree remains a wonderful amalgamation of cultures within Pakistan, and this has influenced the food we create, making it unique from any other Indian Restaurant.

The town has evolved since this time, with both native and foreign residents living peacefully with each other and sharing cultures and traditions that give Murree an atmosphere quite unlike anything else you may experience in Asia. Couple this with the wonderful climate and beautiful scenery and you have a place that has a claim to being paradise on Earth, and is the perfect inspiration for some stunning food.

For more information about the Rose Murree, be sure to visit us at http://www.rosemurree.co.uk