According to to Sanjay Thumma on his website, Vahrehvah, mulligatawny soup is India's national soup. A literal translation from Tamil, is "pepper water": milagu means pepper; thanni means water. Traditional recipes often include a handful of peppercorns or green chiles. A (very brief) history: The soup has a British influence. During the time of British rule in India, soldiers demanded a hearty soup course. Servants came up with this variation of pepper water, a Sri Lankan stew, with chicken and/or mutton. Still popular today, there are many versions of mulligatawny soup.