Desi Daru from Northern India History of Alcohol in India Alcoholic beverages in the Indus Valley Civilization appeared in the Chalcolithic Era around 3000 BC. The people living in the region that comprises modern India and Pakistan, practiced both fermentation and distillation of beverages using sweet and starchy items. Here are some facts that may surprise you but these are historically TRUE. Did you know that: Ancient Indo-Aryans consumed a wine called " Sura " produced from grapes Indo-Aryans also drank an alcoholic beverage called " Madira " or " Madhu " made from fermented honey (Mead) Drinking bars called " Madhushala " or " Mayakhana " existed in medieval India Barmaids in medieval Mughal India were called " Saqi " The concept of distilling "Rum" from sugarcane originated in Northern India (Punjabi Desi or Lahan or Tharra )? Kalaals are a specific caste of winemakers in Punjab (Ahluwalia