Archive · 7 Aug 2025
Rooh Afza: A 117-Year-Old Drink's Journey Across Borders
Rooh Afza is a very old, sweet drink that's popular in South Asia.
It was created over a century ago in India by a doctor named Hakim Hafiz Abdul Majeed.
Originally, it was made to help people feel better in the heat.
After India and Pakistan became separate countries, the drink was made in both places.
Today, it is enjoyed by many people and continues to be a symbol of tradition and shared heritage across several countries.
Rooh Afza, a popular crimson-colored syrup, has a 117-year-old history.
Hakim Hafiz Abdul Majeed created Rooh Afza in 1906 in Old Delhi as a medicinal tonic.
The syrup was designed to prevent heatstroke and aid digestion using herbal ingredients.
After the Partition of India in 1947, the brand split, with production in both India and Pakistan.
Rooh Afza is a cultural symbol across India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, maintaining its original recipe and branding.
- Who
- Created by Hakim Hafiz Abdul Majeed and continued by his family.
- What
- Rooh Afza, a crimson-colored syrup drink.
- When
- Created in 1906 and formally launched in 1907.
- Where
- Old Delhi, India, then later produced in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
- Why
- Originally created as a medicinal tonic to prevent heatstroke and aid digestion.
Historical Perspective
Contemporary Perspective
Origins and Identity
Historical Perspective
Rooh Afza is a shared cultural legacy.
Contemporary Perspective
Rooh Afza's historical origins are tied to India and the Partition.
- Creator
- Hakim Hafiz Abdul Majeed
- Year of Creation
- 1906
- Original Purpose
- Medicinal Tonic
- Key Ingredients
- Herbs, fruit extracts, floral distillates
- Original Label
- Hindi, Urdu, and English
- Current Production
- India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh