Anuj tripathi 111 at 00:18, 7 March 2026

2026-03-07T00:18:19Z

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{{Short description|Type of short-grained rice from Assam, India}}
{{Infobox geographical indication
| name = Boka Chaul
| image = File:Close-up of Boka Chaul rice.jpg
| alt = Close-up of Boka Chaul rice
| caption = Close-up of Boka Chaul rice
| alternative names = Boka, Banta Boka, Bhokhoorie Boka, Boka jahinga, Jokhoroo boka, Khamti boka, Laobuka, Para chakhua, Ranga bokadha, Ronga boka, Santi boka, Booka, Baga jhul and Boga

| description =Boka Chaul is a rice variety cultivated in [[Assam]]
| type =
| area = Assam
| country = [[India]]
| registered = 30 July 2018
| material =
| official website ={{URL|https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GirPublic/Application/Details/558|ipindia.gov.in}}}}

'''Boka Chaul''' is a variety of short-grained [[rice]] mainly grown in the [[State of India|Indian state]] of [[Assam]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Borthakur |first1=Anwesha |title=The Resilience of Traditional Knowledge Systems for a Sustainable Future |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-031-56858-9 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Resilience_of_Traditional_Knowledge/_ZQ0EQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=boka+chaul&pg=PA73&printsec=frontcover |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=List of GI Tags of Assam |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/visualstories/webstories/compete-list-of-gi-tags-of-assam-37969-23-05-2023 |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=www.indiatodayne.in |date=23 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref> It is a common and widely cultivated crop in the Lower [[Brahmaputra Valley]] Zone of Assam, encompassing the districts of [[Dhubri district|Dhubri]], [[Kokrajhar district|Kokrajhar]], [[Chirang district|Chirang]], [[Bongaigaon district|Bongaigaon]], [[Goalpara district|Goalpara]], [[Barpeta district|Barpeta]], [[Nalbari district|Nalbari]], [[Baksa district|Baksa]], [[Kamrup Rural district|Kamrup Rural]], [[Kamrup Metropolitan district|Kamrup Metropolitan]], [[Darrang district|Darrang]], and [[Udalguri district|Udalguri]] falling in [[Lower Assam division]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Boka Chaul: Rice of Assam Belongs Magical Figure |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/354537518_Boka_Chaul_Rice_of_Assam_Belongs_Magical_Figure#:~:text=We%20previously%20produced%20the%20JAPAN,lines%20in%20a%20breeding%20program. |website=ResearchGate GmbH |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Assam soft rice gets GI tag |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/assam-soft-rice-gets-gi-tag/cid/1457163 |access-date=11 December 2024 |agency=The Telegraph}}</ref> Boka Chaul is a brand or group name associated with a specific type of [[parboiled rice]]. This rice is produced by parboiling whole grains of a unique winter rice variety called Boka dhan. Soaking the kernels in cold water (at ambient temperature) is sufficient to prepare Boka chaul for consumption.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gogoi |first1=Jahnabi |title=Agrarian System of Medieval Assam |date=2002 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=978-81-7022-967-4 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Agrarian_System_of_Medieval_Assam/lTvmPLv5_V0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=boka+chaul&pg=PA70&printsec=frontcover |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

Under its [[Geographical Indications in India|Geographical Indication]] tag, it is referred to as "Boka Chaul".<ref name=":0" />

==Name==
Boka chaul, literally translated as "soft rice" in the local state language of [[Assamese language|Assamese]], derives its name from the word "Boka" meaning "mud" - reflecting the soft texture of the rice while "Chaul" means rice.

==Description==
Boka Chaul, often hailed as the "Magic Rice", is a unique variety renowned for its extraordinary property of requiring no cooking.<ref>{{cite news |title=Magic rice set for US debut |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/magic-rice-set-for-us-debut/cid/1531651 |access-date=11 December 2024 |agency=The Telegraph}}</ref> This special rice, when soaked in tepid water for a few minutes, transforms into a soft, cooked rice-like texture.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pathak |first1=Kamal Chandra |title=Peasantry Their Problem and Protest in Assam (1858-1894) |date=14 February 2014 |publisher=Partridge Publishing |isbn=978-1-4828-1618-1 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Peasantry_Their_Problem_and_Protest_in_A/4dAAAwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=boka+chaul&pg=PT11&printsec=frontcover |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The secret lies in its low amylose content. [[Amylose]], a type of starch, is responsible for the firmness of rice grains. Boka Chaul, with significantly lower amylose levels compared to regular rice, becomes soft and easily digestible.<ref name=":0" />

===Cultivation and geographical significance===
# Boka Chaul thrives in the fertile alluvial soils of the [[Brahmaputra Valley|Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone]].
# The rich sediments deposited by the [[Brahmaputra River]] create ideal conditions for cultivating this unique rice variety.

===Cultural significance and culinary uses===
# History: In the 17th century, it served as a vital source of sustenance for the [[Ahom kingdom|Ahom]] soldiers who defended their kingdom against the invading [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] army.<ref>{{cite news |title=‘The rice that needs no cooking’: magic rice variety from Assam gets GI tag |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/assam/the-rice-that-needs-no-cooking-magic-rice-variety-from-assam-gets-gi-tag-5299318/ |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=The Indian Express |date=9 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
# Traditional Food: A popular summer food and often consumed during religious ceremonies.
# Modern Usage: A convenient food option for busy lifestyles, especially for the armed forces.
# Boka chaular [[Jolpan|Jalpan]] (Jalpan prepared from Boka chaul): Assamese breakfast often enjoyed with curd, jaggery, or other accompaniments.
# Versatile Food: Can be consumed as a standalone dish, a breakfast cereal, or as a part of various meals.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bardoloi |first1=B. K. |last2=Athaparia |first2=R. P. |title=Assam |date=2002 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India |isbn=978-81-7046-128-9 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Assam/ofT90TF7pJcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=boka+chaul&dq=boka+chaul&printsec=frontcover |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Geographical indication==
It was awarded the [[List of geographical indications in India|Geographical Indication]] (GI) status tag from the [[Geographical Indication Registry (India)|Geographical Indications Registry]], under the [[Government of India|Union Government of India]], on 30 July 2018 and is valid until 24 July 2026.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Boka Chaul |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/558 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=12 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Borthakur |first1=Anwesha |last2=Singh |first2=Pardeep |title=Addressing the Climate Crisis in the Indian Himalayas: Can Traditional Ecological Knowledge Help? |date=2024 |publisher=Springer Nature |isbn=978-3-031-50097-8 |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Addressing_the_Climate_Crisis_in_the_Ind/_2D8EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=boka+chaul&pg=PA85&printsec=frontcover |access-date=11 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

Lotus Progressive Centre (LPC) and Centre for Environment Education (CEE) from Guwahati, proposed the GI registration of Boka Chaul.<ref>{{cite news |title=Geographical Indication tag sought for Boka Chaul |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/geographical-indication-tag-sought-for-boka-chaul/articleshow/54399008.cms |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=19 September 2016}}</ref> After filing the application in July 2018, the rice was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in [[Chennai]], making the name "Boka Chaul" exclusive to the rice grown in the region. It thus became the second rice variety from Assam after [[Joha rice]] and the seventh type of goods from Assam to earn the GI tag.<ref>{{cite web |title=APEDA launches gluten-free millet products for all age groups at affordable prices |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1821647&reg=3&lang=1 |website=Press Information Bureau |access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref>

The GI tag protects the rice from illegal selling and marketing, and gives it legal protection and a unique identity.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Varieties of rice}}

[[Category:Rice varieties]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:GI Tagged Rice varieties of India]]
[[Category:Rice production in India]]
[[Category:Economy of Assam]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Assam]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Assam]]

Boka Chaul - Revision history

Anuj tripathi 111 at 00:18, 7 March 2026