Indian cuisine has a deep tie and a deep cultural history to the people, and to the country. Many of the spices and extracts which are used in the most famous Indian dishes, are those which are either from India, or were originally imported to the country from settlers, or brought in by travelers who founded the country. So, if you want to learn the history of a dish, it is something that is going to trace back several years, and in many cases, as far back as a few centuries, since the food and the history of India are so intertwined in each other. The people who created the main dishes, and the most famous Indian dishes, used only local spices and foods to do so.
There are many dishes in the culture which do have a twist of Mediteranean, as well as other influences from neighboring regions, but for the most part, the dishes from India, are purely from the country, and are deeply rooted in its history and tradition. So, next time you eat an Indian dish, make sure to read up on the ingredients, to learn the spices and extracts which are from the country, which go into these dishes.