The word 'Sohan' has a Persian origin that is taken directly from sohan-e-qom, which is a Persian saffron brittle candy. As the sweet travelled borders it got was adopted in numerous ways to suit the local palate. In old Delhi, the iconic sweet shop, Ghantewala used to sell a softer version of this mithai. The sweet shop established in the year 1790, used to sell their famous Sohan Halwa to India's presidents, prime ministers and even the locals in Delhi. They tout it to be a favourite delicacy of the Mughal emperors. Infact, in 1954, Indira Gandhi sent Sohan Halwa from this 225-year-old sweet shop to Indian troops based in Korea. Unfortunately, due to financial issues, Ghantewala closed its shutters in 2015. But Sohan Halwa continues to be etched in the hearts of Delhiites. While Sohan Halwa originated in Iran, it's no longer prepared there. Yet, it's widely popular in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.