The Moghul Part 118

kos--approximately two miles

kamar-band--ceremonial waist sash

lakh--a hundred thousand

lapsi--preparation of gur, ghee, and wheat

lila--play or sport

 

lor langar--chain attached to elephant's leg

lungi--long waist wrap worn by men

mahal--palace

mahout--elephant driver

maidan--public square

mansab--rank given a n.o.bleman

mansabdar--n.o.bleman granted estates to tax

mardum-kash--small cannon

masala--blend of spices, "curry powder"

mihaffa--wooden turret suspended between two animals

mina bazaar--mock bazaar held on Persian New Year

mirdanga--South Indian drum

mohur--gold coin

mudra--hand signs in the Indian cla.s.sical dance

musallim--navigator on Indian s.h.i.+p

mutasaddi--chief port official

nakuda--owner-captain of Indian trading vessel

naqqara-khana--entry to royal compound

nashudani--"good-for-nothing"

nautch--suggestive dance

nezah--lance

nilgai--Indian deer

nim--plant whose root is used for cleaning teeth

nimaste--Hindi greeting, "h.e.l.lo"

pahar--three hours

pakhar--steel plate elephant armor

palas--wood used for chaugan stick

pan--betel leaf rolled around betel nut and spices and

chewed panch--wine punch pandit--Hindu scholar pice--Indian "penny"

postibangh--mixture of opium and hemp extract

prahna--spirit, life force

Puranas--Hindu scriptures

qamargha--hunt using beaters to a.s.semble game

qarawals--beaters for hunt

qazi--judge

qur--hunting enclosure containing game rasa--aesthetic mood

rasida--"arrived"; a piece that reaches center in chaupar

board game sachaq--marriage present sandali--type of eunuch sarachah-- royal platform

sarangi--Indian musical instrument, resembling violin

sari--woman's wrap

sati--immolation of Hindu wife with body of her husband sehra-- bridegroom's crown sharbat--lemon and sugar drink s.h.i.+kar--the hunt

sitkrita--intake of breath signifying female o.r.g.a.s.m

strappado--Portuguese torture device

sum--climax of rhythmic cycle in Indian music

sutra--Hindu scripture