10 AUGUST 2002, Page 26

Lamb's tale from India

From Bunny Suraiya Sir: David Kempe's letter on the subject of Alexander's descendants (13 July) interested me because of an odd gastronomic coincidence. While in London I ate kleftiko at a Greek restaurant and found it virtually identical to a dish served in north India called sikanderi raan, which roughly translates as leg of lamb a la Alexander', Sikander being the Hindi version of Alexander.

When Alexander invaded India, perhaps he left behind a chef or two, along with soldiers whose descendants are the Coorgi tribe — light-eyed, light-skinned and militarily inclined.

Bunny Suraiya

Haryana, India