who invented curry

Curry as a concept and dish does not have a single inventor but evolved over centuries, especially in the Indian subcontinent. The word "curry" likely originates from a South Indian Tamil word "kari," meaning sauce. The dish as known today developed with the influence of various spices introduced in India, like chili peppers by the Portuguese in the 16th century. British colonizers in India transformed and adapted Indian dishes to their tastes, which led to the creation of what is recognized as "curry" in the Western world. The British also invented curry powder in the late 1700s to replicate Indian flavors consistently back home. "Curry" thus refers both to traditional South Asian dishes and a British-invented style of spiced dishes using curry powder. In summary, curry is a product of South Asian cuisine with significant Portuguese and British influences in its development and global spread, without a single person credited for its invention.