During the Vedic period (1500-500 BC) the priestly Hindus sacrificed animals to appease and gain boons from the Gods, after which the flesh was consumed. But the trend of meat eating shifted with the times. The anti-meat eating sentiment was already felt at the end of the Vedic period. This period also saw the rise of Buddhism, Jainism who detested the practise of sacrificing and consuming the flesh of animals, preaching the principle of "non harming". But at the beginning of the Epic period, beef was said to be common food that added vigour, not only to the body but also the mind. But as the cattle population decreased, so did this belief. Since Ghee, milk and yoghurt were vital for temple rituals, the cow began to enjoy a greater prominence and it's meat became prohibited. This started the banning of eating beef, which has become a long standing feature in Hinduism.
There is evidence that in 800BC people began to eat more vegetables, pulses, cereals and fruit as a consequence of growing distaste for meat. Even the priests took to vegetarianism and started to offer vegetarian meals to the Gods. Kings, such as Ashoka, forbade the killing of animals which further contributed to the development of vegetarianism.
The Brahmins continued their vegetarian fare for different reasons, excepting garlic and onions which were thought to arouse passions. However, all Brahmins are not vegetarians. Vegetarianism became more linked with the cuisines of southern India, rather than the north.
To date, India has received the equivalent of $13 billion in U.S. economic assistance ($52.7 billion in today's dollars). The nature of this economic assistance has been based on the Indian Government's requests and it's changing requirements as the economy developed.
U.S. economic assistance peaked at $1.6 billion in 1960 when food aid accounted for 92% of the annual assistance budget. As India became self-sufficient in food production and expanded it's industrial capability and infrastructure, the need for U.