A new book shows how colonialism influenced India’s preferences in alcohol

A toddy shop in Madras. | Spencer & Co. / CC BY-SA 4.0 Wine had long ago found its way to the east coast of India in Greek amphoras with the early traders, finding favour with the locals, who were soon disappointed to learn that grapes could not be grown along the Malabar coastline. Moreover, wine did not keep well, turning rancid in the heat and humidity. Soon enough, an alternate surfaced; madeira, a strong, sweet wine produced in the volcanic island by the same name in Portugal, began to be i...