Chana dal is the Indian name for chickpeas. It is also referred to as Indian pea, Bengal gram and ceci bean in different parts of the world. Chana dal belongs to the Fabaceae family of legumes and is considered to be one of the first vegetables to be cultivated by Ancient man. The earliest signs of Chana dal are at least 7,500 years old and the fact that it is still regarded as an important part of the diet of at least a billion people speaks volumes. Chana dal is an extremely rich source of proteins and is hence ideal for maintaining a good health. After India, the top producers of Chana dal are Pakistan, Turkey, Australia, Iran, Myanmar, Canada, Ethiopia, Mexico and Iraq. The bottom line is that Chana dal is an extremely nutritious option that has been proved to lower the cholesterol level and helps in maintaining a healthy life style.