The second green revolution must prioritize nutrition, focusing on diverse, environmentally friendly millets. These small-grained cereals, such as foxtail, kodo, little millet, etc., offer nutritional benefits and resilience to adverse conditions. Declining production of minor millets in India necessitates innovative approaches and policy support to meet growing demand and reverse the trend. Their gluten-free nature and sustainability align with global food security goals. Minor millets have been integral to India’s agricultural heritage for millennia, with evidence of their cultivation dating back thousands of years. Historical records, including those from the Harappan civilization and the Iron Age, document the cultivation of various millet species such as foxtail, kodo, finger, little, native small millet, browntop, and bristly foxtail millet. These grains are mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures like the Samhita, Purana, and Veda, reflecting their significance in traditional culture and diets. While absent during the Paleolithic era, minor millets became prevalent during the transition to settled farming communities around the Neolithic period. Archaeological findings from sites such as Burzahom in Kashmir and Chirand in Bihar further confirm the historical presence and importance of minor millets in India’s prehistoric era. Studying these historical sources provides valuable insights into the names, cultivation practices, and distribution of minor millets, essential for harnessing their potential as nutrient-rich and sustainable food sources. Taxonomically, minor millets belong to the Paniceae tribe within the Panicoideae subfamily of Poaceae. Phylogenetic studies in millets are crucial for understanding their evolutionary relationships, genetic diversity, and breeding potential. Such research informs the development of improved varieties, conservation strategies, and sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring the resilience and productivity of these important crops in the face of environmental challenges.