Bengal Gram also known as Chick Peas, is a pulse cultivated in India. Chana Dal or Bengal Gram is one of the earliest cultivated legumes and forms an important part of the Indian diet because of its high protein content. Chana dal is hulled and split to give a pale yellow dal with a nutty aroma, making it a favourite among Indian chefs. The split yellow gram dal is further pulverized to form gram flour or besan. Chana dal is low in fat and high in protein.

Its areas of cultivation are India, Burma. Pakistan. Egypt and other Mediterranean countries. Ethiopia. South America and tropical Australia.

Flour is made by grinding seeds. This flour is one of the main ingredients of many forms of Indian confectionary made with ghee and sugar. It is also used for preparing many tasty snacks like sev, chila and pakoras and curries like koftas. Green pods and tender shoots are used as a vegetable.

Bengal Gram supplies plenty of B-complex and vitamins. Cooked germinated gram is a wholesome food for children and invalids. However excessive use of Bengal gram causes indigestion and may precipitate urinary calcium due to high concentration of oxalic acid and form urinary stone of calculi. It is good for Diabetes and Bengal gram extract, have shown considerable improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels, glucose tolerance, urinary excretion of sugar and general condition. It cures Anemia ,Digestive System Disorder , valuable astringent for use in dyspepsia, vomiting, indigestion, costiveness, diarrhea and dysentery.