Bengal gram is one of the most widely used lentil. It is available as whole, split or as a powder. Whole Bengal gram are reddish brown in color with a thick skin. They need to be soaked overnight due to the hard thick skin. Split Bengal gram is yellow in color because of the yellowish inner core. Powdered Bengal gram is known as Besan. Also known as chickpea = chick-pea = garbanzo bean = garbanzo pea = garbanzo bean = white chickpea = ceci bean = cici bean = Egyptian pea = Kabuli channa = kabuli channa = kabli chana = kabli channa = pois chiches = chole.