The Moghul Part 117

alap--opening section of a raga

ankus--hook used for guiding an elephant

arak--Indian liquor

areca--betel nut used in making pan

art ha--practical, worldly "duty" in Hinduism

 

Asvina--Lunar month of September-October

azan--Muslim call to prayer

bhang--drink made from hemp (marijuana)

biryani--rice cooked with meat and spices

bols--specific hand strokes on the Indian drum

cartaz--Portuguese trading license

charts--cattle sheds

chapattis--unleavened fried wheat cakes chapp--seal or stamp

charkhi--fireworks used to discipline elephants in combat chaturanga-- chess

chaudol--traveling conveyance similar to palanquin chaugan--Indian "polo"

chauki--weekly guard duty at the Red Fort chaupar--Indian dice game

chelas--mercenary troops beholden to single commander

chillum--clay tobacco bowl on a hookah

chitah--Indian leopard

dai--midwife nurse

dal--lentils

darshan--ceremonial dawn appearance of Moghul devadasi--temple dancer, a special caste

dey--Turkish ruler

dharma--purpose or duty in life of Hindus

dhoti--loincloth

diwali--Indian New Year

Diwan-i-Am--Hall of Public Audience

Diwan-i-Khas--Hall of Private Audience

durbar--public audience

feringhi--foreigner

fil-kash--elephant-drawn cannon

firman--royal decree

frigalla--Portuguese frigate

gau-kash--ox-drawn cannon

ghee--clarified b.u.t.ter

ghola--blend of opium and spice

gopi--milkmaid

gulal bar--royal compound in camp

gur--unrefined cane sugar

guru--teacher

gurz--three-headed club

hal--goalposts for chaugan

harkara--confidential court reporters

hookah--water pipe for smoking tobacco

howdah--seat carried on back of elephant

jagir--taxable lands granted to a n.o.bleman

kama--love, sensual pleasure

karwa--Indian seaman

katar--knife designed for thrusting

khabardar--"take heed"

khaftan--quilted vest worn under armor