India's most famous seasoning is Garam masala. It's actually a combination of dried spices including pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cumin, coriander, tej patta, pepper, and some others. It is the used in many dishes, including Chana Masala.

You will often see whole cloves, cinnamon sticks, and cardamom pods because those are some of the key ingredients in India's hallmark spice blend 'garam masala' used in a great variety of dishes. You can use 'whole garam masala' and 'ground garam masala' — it depends on the recipe.