Heat oil in a pan and add bay leaf into it.
Next add chopped onion and keep stirring until they are translucent.
Now add ginger and garlic paste and combine well.
After that add chopped tomatoes and cook until the raw smell is gone.
Now add all the dry spice powders, salt and sugar. Mix well.
At this time if spices tend to burn, add little bit of warm water and cook until the oil separates.
Now switch off the gas and allow to cool the cooked spice mixture.
Once it is cooled blend the mixture to a smooth paste without using any water.
Finally, Indian Base Gravy is ready to be stored in airtight dry container in refrigerator.